Pharmacology Nursing Exam Prep 2026 | Drug Class Questions &
NCLEX
1. ACE inhibitors are primarily used to treat:
A. Asthma
B. Hypertension
C. Hypothyroidism
D. Seizures
Answer: B
Rationale: ACE inhibitors (e.g., enalapril) reduce blood pressure by blocking angiotensin II
formation, causing vasodilation and decreased fluid retention.
2. A common side effect of ACE inhibitors is:
A. Bradycardia
B. Dry cough
C. Constipation
D. Hyperglycemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Increased bradykinin levels cause a persistent dry cough, a hallmark side effect.
3. Which medication is a loop diuretic?
A. Spironolactone
B. Furosemide
C. Hydrochlorothiazide
D. Mannitol
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide acts in the loop of Henle, promoting significant sodium and water
excretion.
4. Loop diuretics primarily cause loss of:
A. Calcium
B. Potassium
,C. Sodium
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: Loop diuretics cause loss of Na⁺, K⁺, and Ca²⁺, increasing risk of electrolyte
imbalance.
5. Beta-blockers are contraindicated in patients with:
A. Hypertension
B. Asthma
C. Diabetes
D. Hyperthyroidism
Answer: B
Rationale: Non-selective beta-blockers can cause bronchoconstriction in asthma patients.
6. A key effect of beta-blockers is:
A. Increased heart rate
B. Decreased blood pressure
C. Increased glucose production
D. Vasoconstriction
Answer: B
Rationale: Beta-blockers reduce heart rate and contractility, lowering blood pressure.
7. Which drug class is used for angina relief?
A. Antibiotics
B. Nitrates
C. Antifungals
D. Antihistamines
Answer: B
Rationale: Nitrates (e.g., nitroglycerin) dilate coronary arteries to improve oxygen supply.
8. A major side effect of nitroglycerin is:
A. Hypertension
, B. Headache
C. Hyperactivity
D. Constipation
Answer: B
Rationale: Vasodilation of cerebral vessels causes throbbing headaches.
9. Insulin is classified as:
A. Antibiotic
B. Hormone
C. Anticoagulant
D. Beta-blocker
Answer: B
Rationale: Insulin is a naturally occurring hormone used to regulate blood glucose.
10. The main risk of insulin therapy is:
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Hypertension
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: B
Rationale: Excess insulin lowers blood glucose, leading to hypoglycemia.
11. Metformin belongs to which class?
A. Sulfonylureas
B. Biguanides
C. Insulin
D. GLP-1 agonists
Answer: B
Rationale: Metformin reduces hepatic glucose production and improves insulin sensitivity.
12. A serious side effect of metformin is:
A. Lactic acidosis
NCLEX
1. ACE inhibitors are primarily used to treat:
A. Asthma
B. Hypertension
C. Hypothyroidism
D. Seizures
Answer: B
Rationale: ACE inhibitors (e.g., enalapril) reduce blood pressure by blocking angiotensin II
formation, causing vasodilation and decreased fluid retention.
2. A common side effect of ACE inhibitors is:
A. Bradycardia
B. Dry cough
C. Constipation
D. Hyperglycemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Increased bradykinin levels cause a persistent dry cough, a hallmark side effect.
3. Which medication is a loop diuretic?
A. Spironolactone
B. Furosemide
C. Hydrochlorothiazide
D. Mannitol
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide acts in the loop of Henle, promoting significant sodium and water
excretion.
4. Loop diuretics primarily cause loss of:
A. Calcium
B. Potassium
,C. Sodium
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: Loop diuretics cause loss of Na⁺, K⁺, and Ca²⁺, increasing risk of electrolyte
imbalance.
5. Beta-blockers are contraindicated in patients with:
A. Hypertension
B. Asthma
C. Diabetes
D. Hyperthyroidism
Answer: B
Rationale: Non-selective beta-blockers can cause bronchoconstriction in asthma patients.
6. A key effect of beta-blockers is:
A. Increased heart rate
B. Decreased blood pressure
C. Increased glucose production
D. Vasoconstriction
Answer: B
Rationale: Beta-blockers reduce heart rate and contractility, lowering blood pressure.
7. Which drug class is used for angina relief?
A. Antibiotics
B. Nitrates
C. Antifungals
D. Antihistamines
Answer: B
Rationale: Nitrates (e.g., nitroglycerin) dilate coronary arteries to improve oxygen supply.
8. A major side effect of nitroglycerin is:
A. Hypertension
, B. Headache
C. Hyperactivity
D. Constipation
Answer: B
Rationale: Vasodilation of cerebral vessels causes throbbing headaches.
9. Insulin is classified as:
A. Antibiotic
B. Hormone
C. Anticoagulant
D. Beta-blocker
Answer: B
Rationale: Insulin is a naturally occurring hormone used to regulate blood glucose.
10. The main risk of insulin therapy is:
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Hypertension
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: B
Rationale: Excess insulin lowers blood glucose, leading to hypoglycemia.
11. Metformin belongs to which class?
A. Sulfonylureas
B. Biguanides
C. Insulin
D. GLP-1 agonists
Answer: B
Rationale: Metformin reduces hepatic glucose production and improves insulin sensitivity.
12. A serious side effect of metformin is:
A. Lactic acidosis
