January 2026 | Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice
Nurse Comprehensive Study Guide | Complete Test Bank with
Verified Questions, Correct Answers, Detailed Rationales, Drug
Classifications, Mechanisms of Action, Dosage Calculations,
Clinical Applications, Patient Care Scenarios, Evidence-Based
Practice & First-Attempt Exam Success
Question 1:
Which of the following medications is the first-line treatment for hypertension?
a) Diltiazem
b) Lisinopril
c) Metoprolol
d) Amlodipine
CORRECT ANSWER: d) Amlodipine
Rationale:
Amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker, is often recommended as a first-line treatment
option for hypertension due to its efficacy in lowering blood pressure and its favorable
side effect profile.
Question 2:
What is the primary mechanism of action of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
(SSRIs)?
a) Inhibition of norepinephrine reuptake
b) Inhibition of serotonin reuptake
c) Dopamine receptor antagonism
d) Blockade of GABA receptors
CORRECT ANSWER: b) Inhibition of serotonin reuptake
Rationale:
SSRIs primarily work by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin in the brain, increasing its
availability in the synaptic cleft, which can improve mood and alleviate symptoms of
depression.
Question 3:
Which class of medications is commonly used to treat Type 2 diabetes by
increasing insulin sensitivity?
,a) Thiazolidinediones
b) Sulfonylureas
c) Biguanides
d) DPP-4 inhibitors
CORRECT ANSWER: a) Thiazolidinediones
Rationale:
Thiazolidinediones, such as pioglitazone and rosiglitazone, help improve insulin
sensitivity in peripheral tissues, making them effective for managing Type 2 diabetes.
Question 4:
Which of the following is a common side effect of opioids?
a) Hypotension
b) Nausea
c) Constipation
d) Hypertension
CORRECT ANSWER: c) Constipation
Rationale:
Constipation is a well-known side effect of opioids due to their action on the
gastrointestinal tract, slowing intestinal motility.
Question 5:
What is the antidote for acetaminophen overdose?
a) Activated charcoal
b) Naloxone
c) N-acetylcysteine
d) Flumazenil
CORRECT ANSWER: c) N-acetylcysteine
Rationale:
N-acetylcysteine is used as an antidote for acetaminophen overdose, as it replenishes
glutathione stores and helps to neutralize toxic metabolites.
Question 6:
Which class of antihypertensives is contraindicated in pregnancy?
a) Beta-blockers
b) ACE inhibitors
,c) Calcium channel blockers
d) Diuretics
CORRECT ANSWER: b) ACE inhibitors
Rationale:
ACE inhibitors can cause teratogenic effects, particularly in the second and third
trimesters of pregnancy, leading to fetal complications.
Question 7:
In managing asthma, which medication is classified as a long-acting beta-agonist
(LABA)?
a) Albuterol
b) Ipratropium
c) Salmeterol
d) Theophylline
CORRECT ANSWER: c) Salmeterol
Rationale:
Salmeterol is a LABA used for the long-term control of asthma symptoms by relaxing
bronchial smooth muscles.
Question 8:
Which of the following drugs is a commonly prescribed statin?
a) Atorvastatin
b) Fenofibrate
c) Ezetimibe
d) Niacin
CORRECT ANSWER: a) Atorvastatin
Rationale:
Atorvastatin is widely used for lowering LDL cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of
cardiovascular disease.
Question 9:
Which medication is used as a first-line treatment for seizures in adults?
a) Phenobarbital
b) Lamotrigine
, c) Carbamazepine
d) Phenytoin
CORRECT ANSWER: b) Lamotrigine
Rationale:
Lamotrigine is often used as a first-line treatment for several types of seizures due to its
effectiveness and safety profile.
Question 10:
What is the primary action of loop diuretics?
a) Increase potassium reabsorption
b) Inhibit sodium and water reabsorption
c) Promote calcium reabsorption
d) Increase bicarbonate reabsorption
CORRECT ANSWER: b) Inhibit sodium and water reabsorption
Rationale:
Loop diuretics, such as furosemide, inhibit sodium and water reabsorption in the loop
of Henle, leading to increased urine output.
Question 11:
Which medication is indicated for the treatment of hyperlipidemia?
a) Lisinopril
b) Metformin
c) Simvastatin
d) Warfarin
CORRECT ANSWER: c) Simvastatin
Rationale:
Simvastatin is a statin used to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart
disease.
Question 12:
Which medication is a mainstay treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD)?
a) Montelukast
b) Tiotropium
Nurse Comprehensive Study Guide | Complete Test Bank with
Verified Questions, Correct Answers, Detailed Rationales, Drug
Classifications, Mechanisms of Action, Dosage Calculations,
Clinical Applications, Patient Care Scenarios, Evidence-Based
Practice & First-Attempt Exam Success
Question 1:
Which of the following medications is the first-line treatment for hypertension?
a) Diltiazem
b) Lisinopril
c) Metoprolol
d) Amlodipine
CORRECT ANSWER: d) Amlodipine
Rationale:
Amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker, is often recommended as a first-line treatment
option for hypertension due to its efficacy in lowering blood pressure and its favorable
side effect profile.
Question 2:
What is the primary mechanism of action of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
(SSRIs)?
a) Inhibition of norepinephrine reuptake
b) Inhibition of serotonin reuptake
c) Dopamine receptor antagonism
d) Blockade of GABA receptors
CORRECT ANSWER: b) Inhibition of serotonin reuptake
Rationale:
SSRIs primarily work by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin in the brain, increasing its
availability in the synaptic cleft, which can improve mood and alleviate symptoms of
depression.
Question 3:
Which class of medications is commonly used to treat Type 2 diabetes by
increasing insulin sensitivity?
,a) Thiazolidinediones
b) Sulfonylureas
c) Biguanides
d) DPP-4 inhibitors
CORRECT ANSWER: a) Thiazolidinediones
Rationale:
Thiazolidinediones, such as pioglitazone and rosiglitazone, help improve insulin
sensitivity in peripheral tissues, making them effective for managing Type 2 diabetes.
Question 4:
Which of the following is a common side effect of opioids?
a) Hypotension
b) Nausea
c) Constipation
d) Hypertension
CORRECT ANSWER: c) Constipation
Rationale:
Constipation is a well-known side effect of opioids due to their action on the
gastrointestinal tract, slowing intestinal motility.
Question 5:
What is the antidote for acetaminophen overdose?
a) Activated charcoal
b) Naloxone
c) N-acetylcysteine
d) Flumazenil
CORRECT ANSWER: c) N-acetylcysteine
Rationale:
N-acetylcysteine is used as an antidote for acetaminophen overdose, as it replenishes
glutathione stores and helps to neutralize toxic metabolites.
Question 6:
Which class of antihypertensives is contraindicated in pregnancy?
a) Beta-blockers
b) ACE inhibitors
,c) Calcium channel blockers
d) Diuretics
CORRECT ANSWER: b) ACE inhibitors
Rationale:
ACE inhibitors can cause teratogenic effects, particularly in the second and third
trimesters of pregnancy, leading to fetal complications.
Question 7:
In managing asthma, which medication is classified as a long-acting beta-agonist
(LABA)?
a) Albuterol
b) Ipratropium
c) Salmeterol
d) Theophylline
CORRECT ANSWER: c) Salmeterol
Rationale:
Salmeterol is a LABA used for the long-term control of asthma symptoms by relaxing
bronchial smooth muscles.
Question 8:
Which of the following drugs is a commonly prescribed statin?
a) Atorvastatin
b) Fenofibrate
c) Ezetimibe
d) Niacin
CORRECT ANSWER: a) Atorvastatin
Rationale:
Atorvastatin is widely used for lowering LDL cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of
cardiovascular disease.
Question 9:
Which medication is used as a first-line treatment for seizures in adults?
a) Phenobarbital
b) Lamotrigine
, c) Carbamazepine
d) Phenytoin
CORRECT ANSWER: b) Lamotrigine
Rationale:
Lamotrigine is often used as a first-line treatment for several types of seizures due to its
effectiveness and safety profile.
Question 10:
What is the primary action of loop diuretics?
a) Increase potassium reabsorption
b) Inhibit sodium and water reabsorption
c) Promote calcium reabsorption
d) Increase bicarbonate reabsorption
CORRECT ANSWER: b) Inhibit sodium and water reabsorption
Rationale:
Loop diuretics, such as furosemide, inhibit sodium and water reabsorption in the loop
of Henle, leading to increased urine output.
Question 11:
Which medication is indicated for the treatment of hyperlipidemia?
a) Lisinopril
b) Metformin
c) Simvastatin
d) Warfarin
CORRECT ANSWER: c) Simvastatin
Rationale:
Simvastatin is a statin used to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart
disease.
Question 12:
Which medication is a mainstay treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD)?
a) Montelukast
b) Tiotropium
