Veterinary Technician Pharmacology
Concepts & Practice Review
100 Exam-Style Questions & Answers
(Aligned with core VT pharmacology concepts: drug classes, mechanisms, safety, dosage forms,
anesthesia, analgesia, calculations, regulations, and clinical applications.)
SECTION 1 — FUNDAMENTALS OF PHARMACOLOGY (1–20)
1. Which term describes how the body affects a drug?
A. Pharmacodynamics
B. Pharmacokinetics
C. Pharmacognosy
D. Pharmacotherapy
2. Which route has the fastest drug absorption?
A. PO
B. IM
C. IV
D. SQ
3. What is the primary organ for drug metabolism?
A. Kidney
B. Liver
C. Spleen
D. Pancreas
4. Which organ is the main route of drug excretion?
A. Liver
B. Kidney
C. Lungs
D. Skin
5. Bioavailability refers to:
A. Drug half-life
, B. Plasma protein binding
C. Portion of drug entering systemic circulation
D. First-pass metabolism
6. What does “QD” mean?
A. Twice daily
B. Every other day
C. Once daily
D. Four times daily
7. The term “agonist” refers to a drug that:
A. Blocks a receptor
B. Activates a receptor
C. Competes with another drug
D. Inhibits absorption
8. A drug with a narrow therapeutic index:
A. Is very safe
B. Requires close monitoring
C. Has a long half-life
D. Has minimal interactions
9. What does a “loading dose” achieve?
A. Minimizes toxicity
B. Quickly reaches therapeutic concentration
C. Prevents tolerance
D. Prolongs excretion
10. Which route avoids first-pass metabolism?
A. Oral
B. Sublingual
C. Enteral
D. Rectal
11. Which is NOT a parenteral route?
A. IM
B. SQ
C. PO
D. IV
,12. A drug’s “half-life” is the time required to:
A. Absorb 50% of a dose
B. Reduce plasma concentration by 50%
C. Excrete 50%
D. Metabolize fully
13. Which species is very sensitive to xylazine?
A. Dog
B. Horse
C. Cow
D. Cat
14. The “first-pass effect” occurs in the:
A. Kidneys
B. Lungs
C. Liver
D. Spleen
15. Which route is best for large fluid volumes?
A. IM
B. SQ
C. IV
D. ID
16. What does “extra-label use” mean?
A. Human drug used in animals
B. Any use not listed on approved label
C. Illegal use
D. OTC drugs only
17. A “controlled substance” is regulated by:
A. USDA
B. FDA
C. DEA
D. AVMA
18. Which schedule has the highest abuse potential?
A. Schedule IV
B. Schedule II
, C. Schedule I
D. Schedule V
19. Which form is slowest to absorb?
A. Solution
B. Suspension
C. Enteric-coated tablet
D. IV injection
20. A drug given “PR” is administered:
A. Orally
B. Sublingually
C. Rectally
D. Transdermally
SECTION 2 — ANTIMICROBIALS (21–40)
21. Which antibiotic class inhibits cell wall synthesis?
A. Macrolides
B. Penicillins
C. Tetracyclines
D. Fluoroquinolones
22. Which antibiotic is NOT safe for young animals?
A. Penicillin
B. Cephalexin
C. Enrofloxacin
D. Amoxicillin
23. Which drug can permanently stain teeth in juveniles?
A. Enrofloxacin
B. Tetracycline
C. Erythromycin
D. Clindamycin
24. Which antibiotic is safest for rabbits and rodents?
A. Amoxicillin
B. Enrofloxacin
Concepts & Practice Review
100 Exam-Style Questions & Answers
(Aligned with core VT pharmacology concepts: drug classes, mechanisms, safety, dosage forms,
anesthesia, analgesia, calculations, regulations, and clinical applications.)
SECTION 1 — FUNDAMENTALS OF PHARMACOLOGY (1–20)
1. Which term describes how the body affects a drug?
A. Pharmacodynamics
B. Pharmacokinetics
C. Pharmacognosy
D. Pharmacotherapy
2. Which route has the fastest drug absorption?
A. PO
B. IM
C. IV
D. SQ
3. What is the primary organ for drug metabolism?
A. Kidney
B. Liver
C. Spleen
D. Pancreas
4. Which organ is the main route of drug excretion?
A. Liver
B. Kidney
C. Lungs
D. Skin
5. Bioavailability refers to:
A. Drug half-life
, B. Plasma protein binding
C. Portion of drug entering systemic circulation
D. First-pass metabolism
6. What does “QD” mean?
A. Twice daily
B. Every other day
C. Once daily
D. Four times daily
7. The term “agonist” refers to a drug that:
A. Blocks a receptor
B. Activates a receptor
C. Competes with another drug
D. Inhibits absorption
8. A drug with a narrow therapeutic index:
A. Is very safe
B. Requires close monitoring
C. Has a long half-life
D. Has minimal interactions
9. What does a “loading dose” achieve?
A. Minimizes toxicity
B. Quickly reaches therapeutic concentration
C. Prevents tolerance
D. Prolongs excretion
10. Which route avoids first-pass metabolism?
A. Oral
B. Sublingual
C. Enteral
D. Rectal
11. Which is NOT a parenteral route?
A. IM
B. SQ
C. PO
D. IV
,12. A drug’s “half-life” is the time required to:
A. Absorb 50% of a dose
B. Reduce plasma concentration by 50%
C. Excrete 50%
D. Metabolize fully
13. Which species is very sensitive to xylazine?
A. Dog
B. Horse
C. Cow
D. Cat
14. The “first-pass effect” occurs in the:
A. Kidneys
B. Lungs
C. Liver
D. Spleen
15. Which route is best for large fluid volumes?
A. IM
B. SQ
C. IV
D. ID
16. What does “extra-label use” mean?
A. Human drug used in animals
B. Any use not listed on approved label
C. Illegal use
D. OTC drugs only
17. A “controlled substance” is regulated by:
A. USDA
B. FDA
C. DEA
D. AVMA
18. Which schedule has the highest abuse potential?
A. Schedule IV
B. Schedule II
, C. Schedule I
D. Schedule V
19. Which form is slowest to absorb?
A. Solution
B. Suspension
C. Enteric-coated tablet
D. IV injection
20. A drug given “PR” is administered:
A. Orally
B. Sublingually
C. Rectally
D. Transdermally
SECTION 2 — ANTIMICROBIALS (21–40)
21. Which antibiotic class inhibits cell wall synthesis?
A. Macrolides
B. Penicillins
C. Tetracyclines
D. Fluoroquinolones
22. Which antibiotic is NOT safe for young animals?
A. Penicillin
B. Cephalexin
C. Enrofloxacin
D. Amoxicillin
23. Which drug can permanently stain teeth in juveniles?
A. Enrofloxacin
B. Tetracycline
C. Erythromycin
D. Clindamycin
24. Which antibiotic is safest for rabbits and rodents?
A. Amoxicillin
B. Enrofloxacin
