PHARM 180 FINAL PRACTICE QUESTIONS ANSWERED CORRECTLY LATEST UPDATE 2026
What is the first-pass effect? - Answers The metabolism of a drug by the liver before it reaches
systemic circulation, reducing bioavailability.
When should PO medications NOT be given? - Answers Dysphagia, NPO status, altered level of
consciousness, active vomiting.
What does a narrow therapeutic index mean? - Answers There is a small margin between therapeutic
and toxic drug levels, requiring close monitoring.
When are peak and trough drug levels drawn? - Answers Peak: about 30 minutes after IV infusion;
Trough: about 30 minutes before the next dose.
What is the mechanism of action of ACE inhibitors? - Answers Block conversion of angiotensin I to
angiotensin II, causing vasodilation.
What are major adverse effects of ACE inhibitors? - Answers Dry cough, hyperkalemia, angioedema.
When must ACE inhibitors be stopped immediately? - Answers When signs of angioedema occur
(swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat).
What electrolyte imbalance is a risk with ARBs? - Answers Hyperkalemia.
What key side effect distinguishes ARBs from ACE inhibitors? - Answers ARBs do not cause a dry
cough.
What is the mechanism of action of calcium channel blockers? - Answers Block calcium entry into cells
causing vasodilation, decreased heart rate, and decreased contractility.
What teaching is important for calcium channel blockers? - Answers Avoid grapefruit juice.
When should calcium channel blockers be held? - Answers Heart rate less than 50 bpm or systolic BP
less than 90 mmHg.
What is the mechanism of action of statins? - Answers Inhibit cholesterol synthesis, lowering LDL
levels.
What are the two major adverse effects of statins? - Answers Hepatotoxicity and myopathy.
When should statins be taken? - Answers In the evening or at bedtime.
When are statins contraindicated? - Answers During pregnancy and active liver disease.
What lab is used to monitor heparin therapy? - Answers aPTT.
What is the antidote for heparin? - Answers Protamine sulfate.
What lab is used to monitor warfarin therapy? - Answers INR.
What is the antidote for warfarin? - Answers Vitamin K (phytonadione).
What is a key patient teaching point for warfarin? - Answers Maintain consistent vitamin K intake and
follow bleeding precautions.
What is the mechanism of action of digoxin? - Answers Increases cardiac contractility and slows heart
rate.
When should digoxin be held? - Answers Apical heart rate less than 60 bpm.
What are signs of digoxin toxicity? - Answers Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, confusion, visual halos.
What is the antidote for digoxin toxicity? - Answers Digoxin immune fab (Digibind).
What is an example of a short-acting beta agonist? - Answers Albuterol.
When are SABAs used? - Answers Rescue treatment for acute asthma symptoms.
What is the role of steroids in asthma management? - Answers Reduce airway inflammation as
maintenance therapy.
What important teaching applies to steroid use? - Answers Do not stop abruptly and rinse mouth
after inhaled use.
What must be done before starting antibiotics? - Answers Obtain culture and sensitivity.
What are two major toxicities of vancomycin? - Answers Nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity.
What is Red Man Syndrome? - Answers An infusion-related reaction to vancomycin requiring slower
infusion.
Who should not take tetracyclines? - Answers Pregnant patients and children.
What is a key adverse effect of tetracyclines? - Answers Photosensitivity and tooth discoloration.
What is the mechanism of action of carbidopa/levodopa? - Answers Increases dopamine levels in the
brain.
What dietary teaching applies to levodopa? - Answers Avoid high-protein meals and excess vitamin
B6.
What medication treats myasthenic crisis? - Answers Neostigmine.
What medication treats cholinergic crisis? - Answers Atropine.
What is the first-pass effect? - Answers The metabolism of a drug by the liver before it reaches
systemic circulation, reducing bioavailability.
When should PO medications NOT be given? - Answers Dysphagia, NPO status, altered level of
consciousness, active vomiting.
What does a narrow therapeutic index mean? - Answers There is a small margin between therapeutic
and toxic drug levels, requiring close monitoring.
When are peak and trough drug levels drawn? - Answers Peak: about 30 minutes after IV infusion;
Trough: about 30 minutes before the next dose.
What is the mechanism of action of ACE inhibitors? - Answers Block conversion of angiotensin I to
angiotensin II, causing vasodilation.
What are major adverse effects of ACE inhibitors? - Answers Dry cough, hyperkalemia, angioedema.
When must ACE inhibitors be stopped immediately? - Answers When signs of angioedema occur
(swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat).
What electrolyte imbalance is a risk with ARBs? - Answers Hyperkalemia.
What key side effect distinguishes ARBs from ACE inhibitors? - Answers ARBs do not cause a dry
cough.
What is the mechanism of action of calcium channel blockers? - Answers Block calcium entry into cells
causing vasodilation, decreased heart rate, and decreased contractility.
What teaching is important for calcium channel blockers? - Answers Avoid grapefruit juice.
When should calcium channel blockers be held? - Answers Heart rate less than 50 bpm or systolic BP
less than 90 mmHg.
What is the mechanism of action of statins? - Answers Inhibit cholesterol synthesis, lowering LDL
levels.
What are the two major adverse effects of statins? - Answers Hepatotoxicity and myopathy.
When should statins be taken? - Answers In the evening or at bedtime.
When are statins contraindicated? - Answers During pregnancy and active liver disease.
What lab is used to monitor heparin therapy? - Answers aPTT.
What is the antidote for heparin? - Answers Protamine sulfate.
What lab is used to monitor warfarin therapy? - Answers INR.
What is the antidote for warfarin? - Answers Vitamin K (phytonadione).
What is a key patient teaching point for warfarin? - Answers Maintain consistent vitamin K intake and
follow bleeding precautions.
What is the mechanism of action of digoxin? - Answers Increases cardiac contractility and slows heart
rate.
When should digoxin be held? - Answers Apical heart rate less than 60 bpm.
What are signs of digoxin toxicity? - Answers Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, confusion, visual halos.
What is the antidote for digoxin toxicity? - Answers Digoxin immune fab (Digibind).
What is an example of a short-acting beta agonist? - Answers Albuterol.
When are SABAs used? - Answers Rescue treatment for acute asthma symptoms.
What is the role of steroids in asthma management? - Answers Reduce airway inflammation as
maintenance therapy.
What important teaching applies to steroid use? - Answers Do not stop abruptly and rinse mouth
after inhaled use.
What must be done before starting antibiotics? - Answers Obtain culture and sensitivity.
What are two major toxicities of vancomycin? - Answers Nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity.
What is Red Man Syndrome? - Answers An infusion-related reaction to vancomycin requiring slower
infusion.
Who should not take tetracyclines? - Answers Pregnant patients and children.
What is a key adverse effect of tetracyclines? - Answers Photosensitivity and tooth discoloration.
What is the mechanism of action of carbidopa/levodopa? - Answers Increases dopamine levels in the
brain.
What dietary teaching applies to levodopa? - Answers Avoid high-protein meals and excess vitamin
B6.
What medication treats myasthenic crisis? - Answers Neostigmine.
What medication treats cholinergic crisis? - Answers Atropine.
