ESTUDYR
CCMA PRINCIPLES OF PHARMACOLOGY MOST TESTED
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A+ WITH
RATIONALES
1. Angina pectoris is best defined as:
A. Inflammation of the heart muscle
B. Sudden cardiac arrest
C. Spasmlike chest pain caused by myocardial anoxia
D. Congenital heart disease
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Angina results from insufficient oxygen supply to myocardial tissue, typically due to
coronary artery disease.
2. A bronchodilator primarily works by:
A. Reducing lung inflammation
B. Increasing mucus production
C. Relaxing smooth muscle in the bronchioles
D. Decreasing respiratory drive
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Bronchodilators improve airflow by relaxing airway smooth muscle.
3. Cirrhosis is characterized by:
A. Acute liver inflammation
B. Chronic degeneration interfering with normal liver function
C. Reversible liver enlargement
D. Viral infection only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cirrhosis is a long-term, progressive condition that impairs liver metabolism and
detoxification.
,ESTUDYR
4. A drug formulary is best described as:
A. A government drug recall list
B. A list of medications covered by an insurance plan
C. A physician’s prescription log
D. A pharmacy inventory sheet
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Formularies guide cost-effective prescribing and coverage decisions.
5. Hypercholesterolemia refers to:
A. Low triglycerides
B. Elevated blood cholesterol levels
C. Elevated blood glucose
D. Excess bile production
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: High cholesterol increases cardiovascular risk.
6. Metabolic alkalosis occurs when there is:
A. Excess acid accumulation
B. Loss of acid or excess bicarbonate
C. Renal failure
D. Elevated potassium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Alkalosis shifts blood pH toward alkalinity.
7. A spermicide is a substance that:
A. Prevents ovulation
B. Blocks implantation
C. Kills sperm cells
D. Alters cervical mucus only
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Spermicides chemically destroy sperm to prevent fertilization.
, ESTUDYR
8. The therapeutic range of a drug refers to:
A. Maximum lethal dose
B. Blood concentration producing benefit without toxicity
C. Minimum absorbed dose
D. Duration of action
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Staying within this range ensures safety and effectiveness.
9. Benefit-to-risk ratio means that a drug:
A. Has no side effects
B. Is inexpensive
C. Provides benefit without unacceptable harm
D. Works faster than others
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Drug approval requires benefits to outweigh risks.
10. The Controlled Substances Act regulates drugs that:
A. Are over-the-counter
B. Are herbal supplements
C. Have potential for abuse and illegal use
D. Are antibiotics
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This act classifies drugs based on abuse potential.
11. A drug’s chemical name represents:
A. Brand marketing name
B. Exact chemical composition
C. Patent name
D. Generic classification
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Chemical names describe molecular structure.
CCMA PRINCIPLES OF PHARMACOLOGY MOST TESTED
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A+ WITH
RATIONALES
1. Angina pectoris is best defined as:
A. Inflammation of the heart muscle
B. Sudden cardiac arrest
C. Spasmlike chest pain caused by myocardial anoxia
D. Congenital heart disease
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Angina results from insufficient oxygen supply to myocardial tissue, typically due to
coronary artery disease.
2. A bronchodilator primarily works by:
A. Reducing lung inflammation
B. Increasing mucus production
C. Relaxing smooth muscle in the bronchioles
D. Decreasing respiratory drive
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Bronchodilators improve airflow by relaxing airway smooth muscle.
3. Cirrhosis is characterized by:
A. Acute liver inflammation
B. Chronic degeneration interfering with normal liver function
C. Reversible liver enlargement
D. Viral infection only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cirrhosis is a long-term, progressive condition that impairs liver metabolism and
detoxification.
,ESTUDYR
4. A drug formulary is best described as:
A. A government drug recall list
B. A list of medications covered by an insurance plan
C. A physician’s prescription log
D. A pharmacy inventory sheet
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Formularies guide cost-effective prescribing and coverage decisions.
5. Hypercholesterolemia refers to:
A. Low triglycerides
B. Elevated blood cholesterol levels
C. Elevated blood glucose
D. Excess bile production
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: High cholesterol increases cardiovascular risk.
6. Metabolic alkalosis occurs when there is:
A. Excess acid accumulation
B. Loss of acid or excess bicarbonate
C. Renal failure
D. Elevated potassium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Alkalosis shifts blood pH toward alkalinity.
7. A spermicide is a substance that:
A. Prevents ovulation
B. Blocks implantation
C. Kills sperm cells
D. Alters cervical mucus only
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Spermicides chemically destroy sperm to prevent fertilization.
, ESTUDYR
8. The therapeutic range of a drug refers to:
A. Maximum lethal dose
B. Blood concentration producing benefit without toxicity
C. Minimum absorbed dose
D. Duration of action
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Staying within this range ensures safety and effectiveness.
9. Benefit-to-risk ratio means that a drug:
A. Has no side effects
B. Is inexpensive
C. Provides benefit without unacceptable harm
D. Works faster than others
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Drug approval requires benefits to outweigh risks.
10. The Controlled Substances Act regulates drugs that:
A. Are over-the-counter
B. Are herbal supplements
C. Have potential for abuse and illegal use
D. Are antibiotics
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This act classifies drugs based on abuse potential.
11. A drug’s chemical name represents:
A. Brand marketing name
B. Exact chemical composition
C. Patent name
D. Generic classification
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Chemical names describe molecular structure.
