WGU Course D398 Intro to
Pharmacology Exam Questions
with Answers
Opiate agonists - Answer-work by delaying the action of the digestive tract. This lessens
the frequency of bowel motions and decreases the number of watery stools
diphenoxylate with atropine (Lomotil)
loperamide (Imodium) - Answer-opiate agonists
Side effects: drying of secretions, blurred vision, and confusion
psyllium, polycarbophil - Answer-a laxative
docusate sodium (Colace) - Answer-stool softener
antiemetics - Answer-medicines that prevent or treat nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and
motion sickness
dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)
meclizine (Antivert) - Answer-an antiemetic/nausea
Side effects: drowsiness, constipation, or blurred vision
Antidopaminergics or dopamine-receptor antagonists - Answer-anti-nausea;
stop the chemoreceptors (responsible for detecting taste and smell) in the brain from
being stimulated, which stops messages from going to the GI tract
promethazine (Phenergan) - Answer-Antidopaminergics or dopamine-receptor
antagonists used for nausea
Side effects: tremors, muscular rigidity, difficulty walking
adrenal corticosteroids - Answer-synthetic versions of cortisol used to treat inflammatory
conditions, function by lowering inflammation and the immune system's activity
prednisone (Deltasone)
methylprednisolone (MEDROL dose pack) - Answer-Adrenal corticosteroids
Side effects: mood changes, weight gain, swollen face, acne, or stunted growth in
children
Cautions: For patients taking these medications long term, avoid stopping abruptly and
consult with a healthcare provider prior to stopping. Caution for patients with diabetes or
glaucoma (may worsen these conditions)
, levothyroxine (Synthroid) - Answer-treats hypothyroidism
Side effects: muscle weakness, leg cramps, nervousness, and weight loss
Caution: drug interactions, such as a major drug interaction with warfarin
methimazole (Tapazole)
propylthiouracil (PTU) - Answer-treat hyperthyroidism
Side effects: rash, itching, an abnormal taste of blood in the mouth
insulin aspart (NovoLog) - Answer-rapid-acting insulin
insulin isophane (Humulin N) - Answer-intermediate-acting insulin
insulin glargine (Lantus) - Answer-long-acting insulin
biguanides - Answer-decrease glucose production in the liver and enhancing insulin
uptake in muscle tissue
metformin (Glucophage) - Answer-a biguanide, a type of oral diabetes medication for
Type II
Side effects: diarrhea, upset stomach, metallic taste in the mouth, weight loss
Cautions: increased risk of lactic acidosis (increased buildup of lactic acid)
sulfonylureas - Answer-increase insulin production from the pancreas and improving
peripheral insulin activity.
glipizide (Glucotrol) - Answer-treats diabetes by stimulating the release of insulin from
the pancreas
Side effects: weight gain, water retention
Cautions: Caution for patients with impaired kidney function.
hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide) - Answer-a thiazide diuretic; treats hypertension, heart
failure
Side effects: electrolyte depletion such as hypokalemia (decreased potassium), low
sodium levels (hyponatremia), and low magnesium levels (hypomagnesemia); however,
it can cause high calcium levels (hypercalcemia). Potassium or magnesium
supplements are often given concurrently with these diuretics to offset this side effect.
colchicine (Colcrys) - Answer-used with NSAIDS to treat gout
Side effects: gastrointestinal side effects (nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea), bone marrow
suppression
Antiandrogens - Answer-used to treat Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by blocking
the enzyme that produces dihydrotestosterone (DHT). High DHT levels can contribute
to the growth of the prostate glands.
Pharmacology Exam Questions
with Answers
Opiate agonists - Answer-work by delaying the action of the digestive tract. This lessens
the frequency of bowel motions and decreases the number of watery stools
diphenoxylate with atropine (Lomotil)
loperamide (Imodium) - Answer-opiate agonists
Side effects: drying of secretions, blurred vision, and confusion
psyllium, polycarbophil - Answer-a laxative
docusate sodium (Colace) - Answer-stool softener
antiemetics - Answer-medicines that prevent or treat nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and
motion sickness
dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)
meclizine (Antivert) - Answer-an antiemetic/nausea
Side effects: drowsiness, constipation, or blurred vision
Antidopaminergics or dopamine-receptor antagonists - Answer-anti-nausea;
stop the chemoreceptors (responsible for detecting taste and smell) in the brain from
being stimulated, which stops messages from going to the GI tract
promethazine (Phenergan) - Answer-Antidopaminergics or dopamine-receptor
antagonists used for nausea
Side effects: tremors, muscular rigidity, difficulty walking
adrenal corticosteroids - Answer-synthetic versions of cortisol used to treat inflammatory
conditions, function by lowering inflammation and the immune system's activity
prednisone (Deltasone)
methylprednisolone (MEDROL dose pack) - Answer-Adrenal corticosteroids
Side effects: mood changes, weight gain, swollen face, acne, or stunted growth in
children
Cautions: For patients taking these medications long term, avoid stopping abruptly and
consult with a healthcare provider prior to stopping. Caution for patients with diabetes or
glaucoma (may worsen these conditions)
, levothyroxine (Synthroid) - Answer-treats hypothyroidism
Side effects: muscle weakness, leg cramps, nervousness, and weight loss
Caution: drug interactions, such as a major drug interaction with warfarin
methimazole (Tapazole)
propylthiouracil (PTU) - Answer-treat hyperthyroidism
Side effects: rash, itching, an abnormal taste of blood in the mouth
insulin aspart (NovoLog) - Answer-rapid-acting insulin
insulin isophane (Humulin N) - Answer-intermediate-acting insulin
insulin glargine (Lantus) - Answer-long-acting insulin
biguanides - Answer-decrease glucose production in the liver and enhancing insulin
uptake in muscle tissue
metformin (Glucophage) - Answer-a biguanide, a type of oral diabetes medication for
Type II
Side effects: diarrhea, upset stomach, metallic taste in the mouth, weight loss
Cautions: increased risk of lactic acidosis (increased buildup of lactic acid)
sulfonylureas - Answer-increase insulin production from the pancreas and improving
peripheral insulin activity.
glipizide (Glucotrol) - Answer-treats diabetes by stimulating the release of insulin from
the pancreas
Side effects: weight gain, water retention
Cautions: Caution for patients with impaired kidney function.
hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide) - Answer-a thiazide diuretic; treats hypertension, heart
failure
Side effects: electrolyte depletion such as hypokalemia (decreased potassium), low
sodium levels (hyponatremia), and low magnesium levels (hypomagnesemia); however,
it can cause high calcium levels (hypercalcemia). Potassium or magnesium
supplements are often given concurrently with these diuretics to offset this side effect.
colchicine (Colcrys) - Answer-used with NSAIDS to treat gout
Side effects: gastrointestinal side effects (nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea), bone marrow
suppression
Antiandrogens - Answer-used to treat Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by blocking
the enzyme that produces dihydrotestosterone (DHT). High DHT levels can contribute
to the growth of the prostate glands.
