Pharmacology Exam Prep 2026 – 77 Practice Questions with Answer Explanations
Cardiovascular Pharmacology
1. Which of the following drugs is a beta-1 selective blocker?
A. Propranolol
B. Metoprolol
C. Carvedilol
D. Labetalol
Answer: B. Metoprolol
Explanation:
Metoprolol selectively blocks beta-1 adrenergic receptors, primarily affecting the heart by
reducing heart rate and contractility. Propranolol is non-selective, and Carvedilol/Labetalol
block both alpha and beta receptors.
2. Which drug is first-line for acute management of angina pectoris?
A. Atenolol
B. Nitroglycerin
C. Amlodipine
D. Furosemide
Answer: B. Nitroglycerin
Explanation:
Nitroglycerin is a nitrate that relaxes vascular smooth muscle, reducing myocardial oxygen
demand and relieving angina quickly. Beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers are
preventive, not acute therapy.
3. Which drug class is used to reduce mortality post-myocardial infarction?
A. ACE inhibitors
B. Loop diuretics
C. Digoxin
D. Thiazide diuretics
Answer: A. ACE inhibitors
Explanation:
ACE inhibitors reduce afterload, limit ventricular remodeling, and improve survival after MI.
Loop and thiazide diuretics mainly manage fluid overload. Digoxin is for heart failure
symptoms, not mortality reduction.
,4. Which antiarrhythmic is classified as a class III drug?
A. Amiodarone
B. Lidocaine
C. Propranolol
D. Verapamil
Answer: A. Amiodarone
Explanation:
Class III antiarrhythmics, like amiodarone, block potassium channels, prolonging
repolarization. Lidocaine is class Ib, Propranolol is class II, Verapamil is class IV.
5. A patient with heart failure is prescribed spironolactone. What is its primary action?
A. ACE inhibition
B. Beta blockade
C. Aldosterone antagonism
D. Loop diuretic effect
Answer: C. Aldosterone antagonism
Explanation:
Spironolactone blocks aldosterone, reducing sodium and water retention, preventing cardiac
remodeling. Loop diuretics are different; ACE inhibitors block the renin-angiotensin system
upstream.
Central Nervous System (CNS) Pharmacology
6. Which drug is the first-line treatment for generalized tonic-clonic seizures?
A. Phenytoin
B. Valproate
C. Carbamazepine
D. Ethosuximide
Answer: B. Valproate
Explanation:
Valproate is broad-spectrum, effective against tonic-clonic, absence, and myoclonic seizures.
Ethosuximide is specific for absence seizures. Phenytoin and Carbamazepine are effective but
less broad-spectrum.
7. Which benzodiazepine is preferred for status epilepticus?
A. Diazepam
B. Lorazepam
, C. Clonazepam
D. Midazolam
Answer: B. Lorazepam
Explanation:
Lorazepam is preferred due to rapid onset and longer duration in status epilepticus. Diazepam
acts fast but redistributes quickly. Midazolam is often used intranasally or intramuscularly.
8. Which drug is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)?
A. Amitriptyline
B. Fluoxetine
C. Phenelzine
D. Bupropion
Answer: B. Fluoxetine
Explanation:
Fluoxetine blocks serotonin reuptake, increasing serotonergic activity. Amitriptyline is a
tricyclic antidepressant, Phenelzine is an MAOI, and Bupropion is a norepinephrine-
dopamine reuptake inhibitor.
9. Which of the following is used to treat Parkinson’s disease?
A. Levodopa
B. Donepezil
C. Memantine
D. Rivastigmine
Answer: A. Levodopa
Explanation:
Levodopa is converted to dopamine in the CNS, alleviating Parkinson’s motor symptoms.
Donepezil and Rivastigmine are acetylcholinesterase inhibitors for Alzheimer’s, Memantine
is an NMDA antagonist.
10. A patient overdoses on opioids. Which drug is the antidote?
A. Naloxone
B. Flumazenil
C. Naltrexone
D. Methadone
Answer: A. Naloxone
Cardiovascular Pharmacology
1. Which of the following drugs is a beta-1 selective blocker?
A. Propranolol
B. Metoprolol
C. Carvedilol
D. Labetalol
Answer: B. Metoprolol
Explanation:
Metoprolol selectively blocks beta-1 adrenergic receptors, primarily affecting the heart by
reducing heart rate and contractility. Propranolol is non-selective, and Carvedilol/Labetalol
block both alpha and beta receptors.
2. Which drug is first-line for acute management of angina pectoris?
A. Atenolol
B. Nitroglycerin
C. Amlodipine
D. Furosemide
Answer: B. Nitroglycerin
Explanation:
Nitroglycerin is a nitrate that relaxes vascular smooth muscle, reducing myocardial oxygen
demand and relieving angina quickly. Beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers are
preventive, not acute therapy.
3. Which drug class is used to reduce mortality post-myocardial infarction?
A. ACE inhibitors
B. Loop diuretics
C. Digoxin
D. Thiazide diuretics
Answer: A. ACE inhibitors
Explanation:
ACE inhibitors reduce afterload, limit ventricular remodeling, and improve survival after MI.
Loop and thiazide diuretics mainly manage fluid overload. Digoxin is for heart failure
symptoms, not mortality reduction.
,4. Which antiarrhythmic is classified as a class III drug?
A. Amiodarone
B. Lidocaine
C. Propranolol
D. Verapamil
Answer: A. Amiodarone
Explanation:
Class III antiarrhythmics, like amiodarone, block potassium channels, prolonging
repolarization. Lidocaine is class Ib, Propranolol is class II, Verapamil is class IV.
5. A patient with heart failure is prescribed spironolactone. What is its primary action?
A. ACE inhibition
B. Beta blockade
C. Aldosterone antagonism
D. Loop diuretic effect
Answer: C. Aldosterone antagonism
Explanation:
Spironolactone blocks aldosterone, reducing sodium and water retention, preventing cardiac
remodeling. Loop diuretics are different; ACE inhibitors block the renin-angiotensin system
upstream.
Central Nervous System (CNS) Pharmacology
6. Which drug is the first-line treatment for generalized tonic-clonic seizures?
A. Phenytoin
B. Valproate
C. Carbamazepine
D. Ethosuximide
Answer: B. Valproate
Explanation:
Valproate is broad-spectrum, effective against tonic-clonic, absence, and myoclonic seizures.
Ethosuximide is specific for absence seizures. Phenytoin and Carbamazepine are effective but
less broad-spectrum.
7. Which benzodiazepine is preferred for status epilepticus?
A. Diazepam
B. Lorazepam
, C. Clonazepam
D. Midazolam
Answer: B. Lorazepam
Explanation:
Lorazepam is preferred due to rapid onset and longer duration in status epilepticus. Diazepam
acts fast but redistributes quickly. Midazolam is often used intranasally or intramuscularly.
8. Which drug is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)?
A. Amitriptyline
B. Fluoxetine
C. Phenelzine
D. Bupropion
Answer: B. Fluoxetine
Explanation:
Fluoxetine blocks serotonin reuptake, increasing serotonergic activity. Amitriptyline is a
tricyclic antidepressant, Phenelzine is an MAOI, and Bupropion is a norepinephrine-
dopamine reuptake inhibitor.
9. Which of the following is used to treat Parkinson’s disease?
A. Levodopa
B. Donepezil
C. Memantine
D. Rivastigmine
Answer: A. Levodopa
Explanation:
Levodopa is converted to dopamine in the CNS, alleviating Parkinson’s motor symptoms.
Donepezil and Rivastigmine are acetylcholinesterase inhibitors for Alzheimer’s, Memantine
is an NMDA antagonist.
10. A patient overdoses on opioids. Which drug is the antidote?
A. Naloxone
B. Flumazenil
C. Naltrexone
D. Methadone
Answer: A. Naloxone
