Technician, 6th Edition
by Karen Davisand Anthony Guerra.
,Chapter 1 History of Medicine and Pharmacy
1. What was the main purpose of early apothecaries in history?
a. To diagnose diseases
b. To prescribe and prepare medications
c. To perform surgical procedures
d. To teach medical students
Answer: b. To prescribe and prepare medications
Rationale: Apothecaries in ancient history served as early pharmacists, focusing on
preparing and dispensing remedies. They did not diagnose diseases or perform surgeries,
roles typically reserved for physicians and surgeons.
DIF: Recall
TOP: History of Pharmacy
MSC: Professional Roles
2. Which civilization is credited with the earliest written records of medicinal practices?
a. Greek
b. Roman
c. Mesopotamian
d. Chinese
Answer: c. Mesopotamian
Rationale: The Mesopotamian civilization is known for cuneiform tablets documenting
herbal and mineral-based remedies, dating back to approximately 2600 BCE.
DIF: Recall
TOP: Historical Records of Medicine
MSC: Historical Context
3. What was the significance of the Ebers Papyrus in ancient Egypt?
a. It outlined the Hippocratic Oath.
b. It detailed surgical techniques.
c. It served as an extensive pharmacopeia.
d. It described methods for sanitation.
Answer: c. It served as an extensive pharmacopeia.
Rationale: The Ebers Papyrus, dated around 1550 BCE, contained over 700 remedies
and is one of the most significant medical texts in history, highlighting Egyptian
contributions to pharmacy.
DIF: Recall
TOP: Historical Texts
MSC: Historical Contributions
4. The Greek physician Hippocrates is often called the "Father of Medicine." What was his
primary contribution?
a. Developing surgical instruments
b. Establishing the four humors theory
c. Inventing antiseptics
d. Writing the Ebers Papyrus
Answer: b. Establishing the four humors theory
Rationale: Hippocrates introduced the concept of balancing the four humors (blood,
, phlegm, yellow bile, black bile), a cornerstone of early medicine and pharmacy.
DIF: Recall
TOP: Historical Theories
MSC: Greek Contributions
5. During the Middle Ages, how were most medicinal practices in Europe preserved?
a. Through apothecary shops
b. By Greek physicians
c. By monasteries and religious institutions
d. Via Roman military manuals
Answer: c. By monasteries and religious institutions
Rationale: Monks in monasteries preserved medical knowledge by copying ancient texts
and growing medicinal plants in their gardens for treatment purposes.
DIF: Recall
TOP: Medieval Medicine
MSC: Historical Preservation
6. What was the significance of the Materia Medica compiled by Dioscorides?
a. It was the first surgical guide.
b. It described over 600 plants with medicinal properties.
c. It introduced the concept of antiseptics.
d. It replaced the Ebers Papyrus in Egypt.
Answer: b. It described over 600 plants with medicinal properties.
Rationale: Dioscorides’ "De Materia Medica" became a standard reference for centuries,
emphasizing the use of herbs and minerals in medicine.
DIF: Recall
TOP: Classical Texts
MSC: Historical Pharmacology
7. The first official pharmacopeia was published in which country?
a. Italy
b. China
c. England
d. France
Answer: a. Italy
Rationale: The "Nuovo Receptario" was published in Florence, Italy, in 1498, serving as
the first official pharmacopeia to standardize medications.
DIF: Recall
TOP: Historical Innovations
MSC: Pharmacopeia Development
8. The term "pharmacy" is derived from which ancient language?
a. Latin
b. Greek
c. Arabic
d. Hebrew
Answer: b. Greek
Rationale: The word "pharmacy" originates from the Greek term "pharmakon," meaning
drug or remedy.
DIF: Recall
, TOP: Terminology Origins
MSC: Linguistics in Pharmacy
9. How did the Islamic Golden Age contribute to pharmacy?
a. By introducing alchemy and distillation techniques
b. By developing vaccines
c. By inventing synthetic drugs
d. By writing the Ebers Papyrus
Answer: a. By introducing alchemy and distillation techniques
Rationale: Scholars like Avicenna advanced medical and pharmaceutical knowledge,
refining techniques such as distillation, which was essential for creating pure compounds.
DIF: Recall
TOP: Islamic Contributions
MSC: Technological Advances
10. Paracelsus is often regarded as a pioneer in pharmacy for what reason?
a. Discovering antibiotics
b. Promoting chemical remedies over herbal ones
c. Writing the Hippocratic Corpus
d. Establishing the first apothecary school
Answer: b. Promoting chemical remedies over herbal ones
Rationale: Paracelsus emphasized the importance of chemical substances in medicine,
moving away from traditional herbal treatments.
DIF: Recall
TOP: Modern Pharmacy Foundations
MSC: Philosophical Shifts
11. What was one of the primary roles of pharmacists in the 18th century?
a. Developing vaccines
b. Preparing and compounding medications
c. Performing surgeries
d. Conducting public health campaigns
Answer: b. Preparing and compounding medications
Rationale: Pharmacists in the 18th century were primarily responsible for preparing
medications from raw ingredients, as mass production of drugs was not yet established.
DIF: Recall
TOP: Professional Roles
MSC: Historical Pharmacy Practices
12. Which historical figure is known for separating pharmacy and medicine into distinct
professions?
a. Galen
b. Avicenna
c. King Frederick II
d. Paracelsus
Answer: c. King Frederick II
Rationale: King Frederick II of Germany issued an edict in the 13th century that
officially separated pharmacy from medicine, establishing distinct roles for pharmacists
and physicians.