COTC PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 1 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES Q & A 2026|INSTANT DOWNLOAD
PDF
1. Which of the following are common routes of drug
administration?
A. Oral
B. Intravenous
C. Sublingual
D. Magnetic
Rationale: Drugs can be administered via multiple routes to
achieve absorption, distribution, and effect. Magnetic is not a
recognized drug route.
Correct answers: A, B, C
2. The first-pass effect primarily affects which route of
administration?
A. Oral
B. Intravenous
C. Intramuscular
D. Sublingual
,Rationale: The first-pass effect occurs when drugs absorbed
from the GI tract pass through the liver before reaching
systemic circulation, reducing bioavailability.
Correct answer: A
3. Which of the following drugs act as beta-blockers?
A. Metoprolol
B. Atenolol
C. Lisinopril
D. Propranolol
Rationale: Beta-blockers selectively block beta-adrenergic
receptors, reducing heart rate and blood pressure. Lisinopril is
an ACE inhibitor.
Correct answers: A, B, D
4. Which of these are common side effects of opioids?
A. Constipation
B. Respiratory depression
C. Diarrhea
D. Sedation
Rationale: Opioids depress the CNS, leading to sedation and
respiratory depression, and reduce GI motility causing
constipation.
Correct answers: A, B, D
,5. The therapeutic index of a drug indicates:
A. Its effectiveness
B. Safety margin between therapeutic and toxic dose
C. Rate of metabolism
D. Bioavailability
Rationale: A higher therapeutic index indicates a wider safety
margin, meaning the drug is safer.
Correct answer: B
6. Which of the following are NSAIDs?
A. Ibuprofen
B. Aspirin
C. Acetaminophen
D. Naproxen
Rationale: NSAIDs inhibit cyclooxygenase enzymes, reducing
inflammation and pain. Acetaminophen is not a true NSAID as it
lacks anti-inflammatory effect.
Correct answers: A, B, D
7. Drugs that bind to a receptor and produce a maximal
response are called:
A. Agonists
B. Antagonists
, C. Partial agonists
D. Inhibitors
Rationale: Agonists activate receptors fully, producing a
maximal pharmacologic effect. Antagonists block receptors
without activating them.
Correct answer: A
8. Which of the following drugs require monitoring of serum
levels due to narrow therapeutic windows?
A. Digoxin
B. Lithium
C. Amoxicillin
D. Phenytoin
Rationale: Drugs with narrow therapeutic windows can easily
reach toxic levels; monitoring ensures efficacy while preventing
toxicity.
Correct answers: A, B, D
9. Which of these are common signs of allergic drug reactions?
A. Rash
B. Anaphylaxis
C. Nausea
D. Swelling
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES Q & A 2026|INSTANT DOWNLOAD
1. Which of the following are common routes of drug
administration?
A. Oral
B. Intravenous
C. Sublingual
D. Magnetic
Rationale: Drugs can be administered via multiple routes to
achieve absorption, distribution, and effect. Magnetic is not a
recognized drug route.
Correct answers: A, B, C
2. The first-pass effect primarily affects which route of
administration?
A. Oral
B. Intravenous
C. Intramuscular
D. Sublingual
,Rationale: The first-pass effect occurs when drugs absorbed
from the GI tract pass through the liver before reaching
systemic circulation, reducing bioavailability.
Correct answer: A
3. Which of the following drugs act as beta-blockers?
A. Metoprolol
B. Atenolol
C. Lisinopril
D. Propranolol
Rationale: Beta-blockers selectively block beta-adrenergic
receptors, reducing heart rate and blood pressure. Lisinopril is
an ACE inhibitor.
Correct answers: A, B, D
4. Which of these are common side effects of opioids?
A. Constipation
B. Respiratory depression
C. Diarrhea
D. Sedation
Rationale: Opioids depress the CNS, leading to sedation and
respiratory depression, and reduce GI motility causing
constipation.
Correct answers: A, B, D
,5. The therapeutic index of a drug indicates:
A. Its effectiveness
B. Safety margin between therapeutic and toxic dose
C. Rate of metabolism
D. Bioavailability
Rationale: A higher therapeutic index indicates a wider safety
margin, meaning the drug is safer.
Correct answer: B
6. Which of the following are NSAIDs?
A. Ibuprofen
B. Aspirin
C. Acetaminophen
D. Naproxen
Rationale: NSAIDs inhibit cyclooxygenase enzymes, reducing
inflammation and pain. Acetaminophen is not a true NSAID as it
lacks anti-inflammatory effect.
Correct answers: A, B, D
7. Drugs that bind to a receptor and produce a maximal
response are called:
A. Agonists
B. Antagonists
, C. Partial agonists
D. Inhibitors
Rationale: Agonists activate receptors fully, producing a
maximal pharmacologic effect. Antagonists block receptors
without activating them.
Correct answer: A
8. Which of the following drugs require monitoring of serum
levels due to narrow therapeutic windows?
A. Digoxin
B. Lithium
C. Amoxicillin
D. Phenytoin
Rationale: Drugs with narrow therapeutic windows can easily
reach toxic levels; monitoring ensures efficacy while preventing
toxicity.
Correct answers: A, B, D
9. Which of these are common signs of allergic drug reactions?
A. Rash
B. Anaphylaxis
C. Nausea
D. Swelling
