PNLE EXAM – PHARMACOLOGY AND
CLINICAL PHARMACY – SET 1
(QUESTIONS 1–100) – 2026 LATEST
UPDATE – VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES – A+ GRADE
Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination (PNLE)
Subject: Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy
Set 1: Questions 1–100
Direction: Choose the letter of the BEST answer. Each
question is worth 1 point.
1. Which of the following side effects of chlorpromazine and
phenothiazine neuroleptics is explained by their
antidopaminergic action?
A. Dry mouth
B. Eruptions
C. Extrapyramidal syndrome
D. Constipation
Correct Answer: C. Extrapyramidal syndrome.
Rationale: Phenothiazine neuroleptics like chlorpromazine block
dopamine receptors in the nigrostriatal pathway, which leads to
extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) such as pseudoparkinsonism,
akathisia, and tardive dyskinesia. Dry mouth and constipation are
due to anticholinergic effects, not antidopaminergic action.
2. Which of the following statements of clonidine is false?
A. It is a centrally acting antihypertensive
B. It increases vagal tone
C. It can be given in the treatment of opioids withdrawal
D. It is contraindicated in angina
Correct Answer: D. It is contraindicated in angina.
Rationale: Clonidine is actually useful in angina because it
reduces sympathetic outflow, lowering heart rate and blood
pressure, thereby decreasing myocardial oxygen demand. It is a
centrally acting antihypertensive, increases vagal tone, and is used
1
,for opioid withdrawal. Therefore, the statement that it is
contraindicated in angina is false.
3. Which of the following statements of metoclopramide is
FALSE?
A. Is an antiemetic
B. Reduces antral contractions
C. Increases the pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter
D. May be responsible for dyskinesias
Correct Answer: B. Reduces antral contractions.
Rationale: Metoclopramide increases antral contractions, which
promotes gastric emptying. It is an antiemetic, increases lower
esophageal sphincter pressure, and can cause dyskinesias
(extrapyramidal symptoms) with prolonged use. Therefore, the
statement that it reduces antral contractions is false.
4. Which of these medications is not an enzyme inducer?
A. Carbamazepine
B. Rifampin
C. Phenytoin
D. Erythromycin
Correct Answer: D. Erythromycin.
Rationale: Erythromycin is a CYP450 enzyme inhibitor, not an
inducer. Carbamazepine, rifampin, and phenytoin are classic
enzyme inducers that increase the metabolism of other drugs.
5. Which of the following effects is not observed during the
treatment with parasympathetic drugs?
A. Tachycardia
B. Mydriasis
C. Relaxation of the bladder sphincter
D. Relaxation of the intestine
Correct Answer: A. Tachycardia.
Rationale: Parasympathetic (cholinergic) drugs cause
bradycardia, not tachycardia. They cause miosis (not mydriasis),
contraction of the bladder sphincter (not relaxation), and increased
2
,intestinal motility (not relaxation). Tachycardia is not observed with
parasympathetic drugs.
6. Adding adrenaline to a lidocaine solution to be
administered by subcutaneous injection can prolong the
duration of local anesthesia by:
A. Decreased permeability of the vascular endothelium
B. Precipitation of lidocaine
C. Changing the pH of the solution
D. Local vasoconstriction
Correct Answer: D. Local vasoconstriction.
Rationale: Adrenaline causes local vasoconstriction, which reduces
blood flow to the injection site, slowing the absorption of lidocaine
and prolonging its anesthetic effect. It also reduces the risk of
systemic toxicity.
7. What is the side effect that is not observed during the
treatment with tricyclic antidepressants?
A. Dry mouth
B. Myocardial toxicity
C. Skin pigmentation
D. Seizure threshold lowering
Correct Answer: C. Skin pigmentation.
Rationale: Tricyclic antidepressants cause dry mouth
(anticholinergic), myocardial toxicity (cardiotoxicity), and lower the
seizure threshold. Skin pigmentation is not a typical side effect of
TCAs; it is more associated with other drugs like amiodarone or
minocycline.
8. What is the property that benzodiazepines do not have?
A. Antidepressant
B. Anticonvulsant
C. Amnesic
D. Muscle relaxant
Correct Answer: A. Antidepressant.
Rationale: Benzodiazepines have anticonvulsant, amnesic, and
muscle relaxant properties. They do not have antidepressant
3
, properties; in fact, they can worsen depression. They are used for
anxiety, seizures, muscle spasm, and sedation.
9. The stimulation of beta-adrenergic receptors causes:
A. Miosis
B. Bronchoconstriction
C. Relaxation of the uterus
D. Vasoconstriction
Correct Answer: C. Relaxation of the uterus.
Rationale: Beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation causes relaxation
of the uterus (tocolytic effect), bronchodilation (not
bronchoconstriction), and vasodilation (not vasoconstriction). Miosis
is associated with cholinergic stimulation.
10. The pseudo-parkinsonian syndrome can be observed
after the treatment with the following medication:
A. Valproic Acid
B. Diazepam
C. Haloperidol
D. Clomipramine
Correct Answer: C. Haloperidol.
Rationale: Haloperidol is a typical antipsychotic that blocks
dopamine receptors and commonly causes pseudoparkinsonism
(extrapyramidal symptoms). Valproic acid, diazepam, and
clomipramine are not typically associated with pseudoparkinsonism.
11. What is the side effect that is not observed during the
treatment with Levodopa?
A. Dyskinesias
B. Confusion
C. Nausea and vomiting
D. Impotence
Correct Answer: D. Impotence.
Rationale: Levodopa side effects include dyskinesias, confusion,
nausea, and vomiting. Impotence is not a common side effect of
levodopa; in fact, it may improve sexual function in some patients.
Therefore, impotence is the exception.
4
CLINICAL PHARMACY – SET 1
(QUESTIONS 1–100) – 2026 LATEST
UPDATE – VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES – A+ GRADE
Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination (PNLE)
Subject: Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy
Set 1: Questions 1–100
Direction: Choose the letter of the BEST answer. Each
question is worth 1 point.
1. Which of the following side effects of chlorpromazine and
phenothiazine neuroleptics is explained by their
antidopaminergic action?
A. Dry mouth
B. Eruptions
C. Extrapyramidal syndrome
D. Constipation
Correct Answer: C. Extrapyramidal syndrome.
Rationale: Phenothiazine neuroleptics like chlorpromazine block
dopamine receptors in the nigrostriatal pathway, which leads to
extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) such as pseudoparkinsonism,
akathisia, and tardive dyskinesia. Dry mouth and constipation are
due to anticholinergic effects, not antidopaminergic action.
2. Which of the following statements of clonidine is false?
A. It is a centrally acting antihypertensive
B. It increases vagal tone
C. It can be given in the treatment of opioids withdrawal
D. It is contraindicated in angina
Correct Answer: D. It is contraindicated in angina.
Rationale: Clonidine is actually useful in angina because it
reduces sympathetic outflow, lowering heart rate and blood
pressure, thereby decreasing myocardial oxygen demand. It is a
centrally acting antihypertensive, increases vagal tone, and is used
1
,for opioid withdrawal. Therefore, the statement that it is
contraindicated in angina is false.
3. Which of the following statements of metoclopramide is
FALSE?
A. Is an antiemetic
B. Reduces antral contractions
C. Increases the pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter
D. May be responsible for dyskinesias
Correct Answer: B. Reduces antral contractions.
Rationale: Metoclopramide increases antral contractions, which
promotes gastric emptying. It is an antiemetic, increases lower
esophageal sphincter pressure, and can cause dyskinesias
(extrapyramidal symptoms) with prolonged use. Therefore, the
statement that it reduces antral contractions is false.
4. Which of these medications is not an enzyme inducer?
A. Carbamazepine
B. Rifampin
C. Phenytoin
D. Erythromycin
Correct Answer: D. Erythromycin.
Rationale: Erythromycin is a CYP450 enzyme inhibitor, not an
inducer. Carbamazepine, rifampin, and phenytoin are classic
enzyme inducers that increase the metabolism of other drugs.
5. Which of the following effects is not observed during the
treatment with parasympathetic drugs?
A. Tachycardia
B. Mydriasis
C. Relaxation of the bladder sphincter
D. Relaxation of the intestine
Correct Answer: A. Tachycardia.
Rationale: Parasympathetic (cholinergic) drugs cause
bradycardia, not tachycardia. They cause miosis (not mydriasis),
contraction of the bladder sphincter (not relaxation), and increased
2
,intestinal motility (not relaxation). Tachycardia is not observed with
parasympathetic drugs.
6. Adding adrenaline to a lidocaine solution to be
administered by subcutaneous injection can prolong the
duration of local anesthesia by:
A. Decreased permeability of the vascular endothelium
B. Precipitation of lidocaine
C. Changing the pH of the solution
D. Local vasoconstriction
Correct Answer: D. Local vasoconstriction.
Rationale: Adrenaline causes local vasoconstriction, which reduces
blood flow to the injection site, slowing the absorption of lidocaine
and prolonging its anesthetic effect. It also reduces the risk of
systemic toxicity.
7. What is the side effect that is not observed during the
treatment with tricyclic antidepressants?
A. Dry mouth
B. Myocardial toxicity
C. Skin pigmentation
D. Seizure threshold lowering
Correct Answer: C. Skin pigmentation.
Rationale: Tricyclic antidepressants cause dry mouth
(anticholinergic), myocardial toxicity (cardiotoxicity), and lower the
seizure threshold. Skin pigmentation is not a typical side effect of
TCAs; it is more associated with other drugs like amiodarone or
minocycline.
8. What is the property that benzodiazepines do not have?
A. Antidepressant
B. Anticonvulsant
C. Amnesic
D. Muscle relaxant
Correct Answer: A. Antidepressant.
Rationale: Benzodiazepines have anticonvulsant, amnesic, and
muscle relaxant properties. They do not have antidepressant
3
, properties; in fact, they can worsen depression. They are used for
anxiety, seizures, muscle spasm, and sedation.
9. The stimulation of beta-adrenergic receptors causes:
A. Miosis
B. Bronchoconstriction
C. Relaxation of the uterus
D. Vasoconstriction
Correct Answer: C. Relaxation of the uterus.
Rationale: Beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation causes relaxation
of the uterus (tocolytic effect), bronchodilation (not
bronchoconstriction), and vasodilation (not vasoconstriction). Miosis
is associated with cholinergic stimulation.
10. The pseudo-parkinsonian syndrome can be observed
after the treatment with the following medication:
A. Valproic Acid
B. Diazepam
C. Haloperidol
D. Clomipramine
Correct Answer: C. Haloperidol.
Rationale: Haloperidol is a typical antipsychotic that blocks
dopamine receptors and commonly causes pseudoparkinsonism
(extrapyramidal symptoms). Valproic acid, diazepam, and
clomipramine are not typically associated with pseudoparkinsonism.
11. What is the side effect that is not observed during the
treatment with Levodopa?
A. Dyskinesias
B. Confusion
C. Nausea and vomiting
D. Impotence
Correct Answer: D. Impotence.
Rationale: Levodopa side effects include dyskinesias, confusion,
nausea, and vomiting. Impotence is not a common side effect of
levodopa; in fact, it may improve sexual function in some patients.
Therefore, impotence is the exception.
4
