Pharmacology Practice Test

Cholinoceptor blockers (anticholinergics) typically cause tachycardia, constipation, and mydriasis by blocking parasympathetic tone. Urinary retention can occur but is less prominent with many agents. Therefore it is not considered a classic primary side effect for all cholinoceptor blockers.

ACE inhibitors commonly cause cough (due to bradykinin buildup), angioedema, and sometimes rash. “Congestion” (nasal or sinus) is not a recognized adverse effect of ACE inhibitors. That symptom profile more often reflects antihistamines or decongestants.

Vasodilators often produce flushing, nausea, and vertigo from sudden vasodilation and hypotension. Sexual dysfunction is not a known side effect of most direct vasodilators. That issue arises more with drugs affecting hormonal or neural pathways.

Sympathoplegics block sympathetic activity, leading to hypotension, bronchospasm (difficulty breathing), dry mouth, and lethargy. They lower blood pressure rather than raise it. Therefore hypertension is not a side effect.

Diuretics frequently cause metabolic alkalosis, hypotension, and potassium deficits as they remove fluid and electrolytes. Nausea is not a direct pharmacologic side effect of most diuretic classes. Gastrointestinal upset is uncommon.

Isoflurane can cause nausea, increased cerebral blood flow, and respiratory depression under anesthesia. It has no effect on lipid concentrations in the blood. Elevated lipid levels are unrelated to its pharmacology.

Midazolam produces sedation, amnesia, and respiratory depression as part of its benzodiazepine effects. Dizziness is not a primary therapeutic effect—it may occur but isn’t a target outcome. Thus it isn’t listed as a pharmacologic effect.

Clozapine is an antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia but carries a risk of agranulocytosis. Increased appetite and weight gain are common side effects, not an absence of effect. Therefore appetite increase is not something it fails to produce.

Epinephrine is indicated for anaphylaxis, asthma exacerbations, and hypotension in shock. It is not used to treat renal disease. Managing kidney conditions relies on different pharmacologic strategies.

Ephedrine is used for hypotension, nasal congestion, and in COPD to open airways. It is not a therapy for urinary incontinence. Bladder control issues require anticholinergics or other urologic agents.

Barbiturates are used to treat seizures, insomnia, and anxiety through CNS depression. They are not used to manage hypotension—in fact, they can lower blood pressure. Thus hypotension is not a treated condition.

Opioid analgesics like dextromethorphan and methadone treat pain and suppress cough, and can cause sedation as a side effect. They are not used to induce sedation therapeutically. Sedation is an adverse effect rather than a treatment goal.

Hydrochlorothiazide is indicated for CHF, hypertension, and hypercalciuria by increasing calcium reabsorption. It is not used to treat nephritis (kidney inflammation). That requires immunosuppressive or anti-inflammatory therapies.

Nifedipine treats angina, arrhythmias, and hypertension via calcium channel blockade. It does not cause or treat fluid retention. In fact, any edema it produces is an adverse effect, not a therapeutic indication.

Methotrexate is used in sarcomas, leukemias, and ectopic pregnancy by inhibiting folate metabolism. It is not indicated for rheumatic fever. Management of rheumatic fever relies on antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Prednisone treats Cushing’s disease (as part of replacement), lymphomas, and chronic leukemias by modulating immune responses. It has no role in treating testicular cancer. Oncologic regimens for testicular tumors are different.

Dexamethasone manages inflammation, asthma, and Addison’s disease by suppressing immune activity. It is not used for Wilson’s disease (a copper metabolism disorder). That requires chelation therapy instead.

Lansoprazole treats Zollinger–Ellison syndrome, gastritis, and reflux by reducing gastric acid. It does not affect blood pressure. Hypertension management uses cardiovascular agents.

Protamine sulfate is the specific antidote that neutralizes heparin’s anticoagulant effect. Methylene blue, N-acetylcysteine, and glucagon counter other toxins but do not reverse heparin.

Penicillamine chelates excess copper and is used in Wilson’s disease. Glucagon, aminocaproic acid, and atropine have no role in treating copper toxicity. Chelation therapy is the mainstay.