Pharmacology Final Exam Prep: Drug
Classes, Actions & Practice Questions
(2026 Edition)|| Questions And
Answers With Rationales/Graded
A+/2026 Update/100% Correct
/Instant Download
Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question. Correct answers
are highlighted in bold. A rationale follows each question.
Section A: Autonomic Nervous System Drugs (Q1–15)
1. A patient experiences bradycardia and hypotension after organophosphate
poisoning. Which drug is the antidote of choice?
a) Atropine
b) Pralidoxime
c) Both A and B
d) Neostigmine
Rationale: Atropine blocks muscarinic receptors to reverse cholinergic excess;
pralidoxime reactivates acetylcholinesterase. Combined therapy is standard.
2. Which beta-blocker is considered cardioselective (β1-selective)?
a) Propranolol
b) Metoprolol
c) Carvedilol
d) Timolol
*Rationale: Metoprolol, atenolol, and bisoprolol are β1-selective; propranolol is
non-selective.*
3. A nursing student asks: “Which drug directly activates alpha-1 receptors to
cause vasoconstriction?”
a) Clonidine
,b) Phenylephrine
c) Prazosin
d) Labetalol
Rationale: Phenylephrine is a direct α1 agonist used for nasal decongestion and
hypotension.
4. Pilocarpine is used for glaucoma because it:
a) Contracts the ciliary muscle and increases aqueous outflow
b) Decreases aqueous production
c) Blocks beta receptors in the eye
d) Dilates the pupil
Rationale: Pilocarpine is a muscarinic agonist that causes miosis and facilitates
trabecular outflow.
5. Which drug is used to reverse non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockers?
a) Succinylcholine
b) Pancuronium
c) Neostigmine
d) Rocuronium
Rationale: Neostigmine (acetylcholinesterase inhibitor) increases ACh at the NMJ
to reverse blockade.
6. Atropine overdose causes all EXCEPT:
a) Dry mouth
b) Tachycardia
c) Mydriasis
d) Bronchorrhea
Rationale: Atropine blocks M3 receptors in airways, reducing secretions
(bronchorrhea is excess secretions – opposite effect).
7. Which drug is a direct vasodilator used for hypertensive emergencies?
a) Hydralazine
b) Sodium nitroprusside
c) Lisinopril
d) Metoprolol
Rationale: Sodium nitroprusside releases NO causing rapid arteriolar and venous
dilation.
8. A patient on tamsulosin for BPH reports dizziness when standing up. This is
due to:
, a) Alpha-1 blockade causing orthostatic hypotension
b) Beta-2 stimulation
c) Muscarinic activation
d) Central alpha-2 agonism
Rationale: Tamsulosin blocks α1 receptors in prostate and blood vessels, leading to
vasodilation.
9. Salbutamol (albuterol) exerts its bronchodilator effect via:
a) M3 antagonism
b) Beta-2 agonism
c) Beta-1 block
d) PDE inhibition
Rationale: Albuterol is a selective β2 agonist, relaxing bronchial smooth muscle.
10. Which drug is a centrally acting alpha-2 agonist for hypertension?
a) Doxazosin
b) Clonidine
c) Minoxidil
d) Enalapril
Rationale: Clonidine stimulates α2 receptors in CNS, reducing sympathetic
outflow.
11. “First dose phenomenon” (severe orthostatic hypotension) is most
associated with:
a) Metoprolol
b) Clonidine
c) Prazosin
d) Propranolol
Rationale: Prazosin (α1 blocker) causes sudden vasodilation; starting low dose
prevents this.
12. Which drug is used in myasthenia gravis to improve muscle strength?
a) Atropine
b) Pyridostigmine
c) Ephedrine
d) Succinylcholine
Rationale: Pyridostigmine is an AChE inhibitor that increases ACh at NMJ.
13. Organophosphate poisoning signs include all EXCEPT:
a) Salivation
Classes, Actions & Practice Questions
(2026 Edition)|| Questions And
Answers With Rationales/Graded
A+/2026 Update/100% Correct
/Instant Download
Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question. Correct answers
are highlighted in bold. A rationale follows each question.
Section A: Autonomic Nervous System Drugs (Q1–15)
1. A patient experiences bradycardia and hypotension after organophosphate
poisoning. Which drug is the antidote of choice?
a) Atropine
b) Pralidoxime
c) Both A and B
d) Neostigmine
Rationale: Atropine blocks muscarinic receptors to reverse cholinergic excess;
pralidoxime reactivates acetylcholinesterase. Combined therapy is standard.
2. Which beta-blocker is considered cardioselective (β1-selective)?
a) Propranolol
b) Metoprolol
c) Carvedilol
d) Timolol
*Rationale: Metoprolol, atenolol, and bisoprolol are β1-selective; propranolol is
non-selective.*
3. A nursing student asks: “Which drug directly activates alpha-1 receptors to
cause vasoconstriction?”
a) Clonidine
,b) Phenylephrine
c) Prazosin
d) Labetalol
Rationale: Phenylephrine is a direct α1 agonist used for nasal decongestion and
hypotension.
4. Pilocarpine is used for glaucoma because it:
a) Contracts the ciliary muscle and increases aqueous outflow
b) Decreases aqueous production
c) Blocks beta receptors in the eye
d) Dilates the pupil
Rationale: Pilocarpine is a muscarinic agonist that causes miosis and facilitates
trabecular outflow.
5. Which drug is used to reverse non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockers?
a) Succinylcholine
b) Pancuronium
c) Neostigmine
d) Rocuronium
Rationale: Neostigmine (acetylcholinesterase inhibitor) increases ACh at the NMJ
to reverse blockade.
6. Atropine overdose causes all EXCEPT:
a) Dry mouth
b) Tachycardia
c) Mydriasis
d) Bronchorrhea
Rationale: Atropine blocks M3 receptors in airways, reducing secretions
(bronchorrhea is excess secretions – opposite effect).
7. Which drug is a direct vasodilator used for hypertensive emergencies?
a) Hydralazine
b) Sodium nitroprusside
c) Lisinopril
d) Metoprolol
Rationale: Sodium nitroprusside releases NO causing rapid arteriolar and venous
dilation.
8. A patient on tamsulosin for BPH reports dizziness when standing up. This is
due to:
, a) Alpha-1 blockade causing orthostatic hypotension
b) Beta-2 stimulation
c) Muscarinic activation
d) Central alpha-2 agonism
Rationale: Tamsulosin blocks α1 receptors in prostate and blood vessels, leading to
vasodilation.
9. Salbutamol (albuterol) exerts its bronchodilator effect via:
a) M3 antagonism
b) Beta-2 agonism
c) Beta-1 block
d) PDE inhibition
Rationale: Albuterol is a selective β2 agonist, relaxing bronchial smooth muscle.
10. Which drug is a centrally acting alpha-2 agonist for hypertension?
a) Doxazosin
b) Clonidine
c) Minoxidil
d) Enalapril
Rationale: Clonidine stimulates α2 receptors in CNS, reducing sympathetic
outflow.
11. “First dose phenomenon” (severe orthostatic hypotension) is most
associated with:
a) Metoprolol
b) Clonidine
c) Prazosin
d) Propranolol
Rationale: Prazosin (α1 blocker) causes sudden vasodilation; starting low dose
prevents this.
12. Which drug is used in myasthenia gravis to improve muscle strength?
a) Atropine
b) Pyridostigmine
c) Ephedrine
d) Succinylcholine
Rationale: Pyridostigmine is an AChE inhibitor that increases ACh at NMJ.
13. Organophosphate poisoning signs include all EXCEPT:
a) Salivation
