NBDHE Pharmacology Exam 2025: Complete Study Guide,
Practice Questions, Drug Class Reviews & Proven Strategies
to Pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination
Prepare for the NBDHE Pharmacology Exam with this comprehensive 2025 study guide. Review
commonly tested drug classes, clinical scenarios, practice questions, and exam strategies designed to
help dental hygiene candidates pass the pharmacology section of the NBDHE with confidence
• NBDHE Pharmacology exam
• dental hygiene pharmacology boards
• NBDHE pharmacology practice questions
• NBDHE exam prep pharmacology
What is another term for the maximal or ceiling effect of a drug? - ANSWER-efficacy. In other words the
maximum achievable result from a drug
How do pupils appear in opioid over dose? - ANSWER-pinpoint
What life threatening side effect may occur in oral contraceptive users who smoke? - ANSWER-
thromboembolism
If a patient experiences facial paralysis after an IAN, what happened? - ANSWER-anesthetic was injected
into the parotid gland, this allows anesthetic to reacha nd infiltrate the facial nerve causing temporary
paralysis.
Hypnotic drugs are used to - ANSWER-induce sleep
If a patient is allergic to both esthers and amides what can be injected for local anesthesia instead? -
ANSWER-1% diphenhydramine.
,Clarkes and Youngs rule for pediatric dosing are most commonly used in dentistry (T/F) - ANSWER-False.
Age, body weight, body surface area, and stage of development is more commonly used and safer
What is the most effective anti fungal for internal and superficial infections? - ANSWER-
fluconazole(diflucan)
What type of autonomic drugs are contraindicated in glaucoma? - ANSWER-anticholinergics, such as
atropine. Which is used for pupil dilation and to stop saliva flow.
Verapamil is a - ANSWER-calcium channel blocker
Atenolol is a - ANSWER-selective b1 receptor antagonist to treat low grade hypertension
What is the only anesthetic drug that can induce vasoconstriction of blood vessels which can increase
blood pressure - ANSWER-cocaine
What is recommended for lidocaine induced seizures? - ANSWER-diazepam (valium)
Tetracycline works by : - ANSWER-inhibiting protein synthesis
Why is phenytoin recommended for treatment of seizures over phenobarbital? - ANSWER-it has a less
sedative effect.
What tetracycline has the longest and slowest release? - ANSWER-doxycycline, for premed, acne, lyme
disease and malaria
What would be the first drug of choice for bradycardia? - ANSWER-atropine
Antihypertensives cause postural hypertension because they interfere with: - ANSWER-sympathetic
control of vascular reflexes
, What antibiotic is most likely to affect birth control? - ANSWER-rifampin
How does propanolol work? - ANSWER-by blocking b1/b2 adrenergic receptors in the heart
Which antibiotic is the least effective agains perio pathogens? - ANSWER-Pen VK, It is only affective
against gram positive aerobic
Increase in hydrophobicity of a LA causes an increase in _________ - ANSWER-potency
Brand name is aka - ANSWER-trade name
How is trade name written? - ANSWER-first letter capital ( i.e. Valium,
How is the generic name written? - ANSWER-lower case, ie. Ibuprofen
Hs - ANSWER-at bed time (hora somni)
Does sublingual avoid first pass? - ANSWER-yes
What is the best method of drug administration to control level of drugs? - ANSWER-intravenous
What is the difference between subcutaneous and intradermal administration? - ANSWER-subcutaneous
is under the skin and intradermal is into the dermal layer
Tb skin test is an example of - ANSWER-intradermal
Why are topical drugs more dangerous? - ANSWER-they are more concentrated, and have a higher rate
of toxicity
Practice Questions, Drug Class Reviews & Proven Strategies
to Pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination
Prepare for the NBDHE Pharmacology Exam with this comprehensive 2025 study guide. Review
commonly tested drug classes, clinical scenarios, practice questions, and exam strategies designed to
help dental hygiene candidates pass the pharmacology section of the NBDHE with confidence
• NBDHE Pharmacology exam
• dental hygiene pharmacology boards
• NBDHE pharmacology practice questions
• NBDHE exam prep pharmacology
What is another term for the maximal or ceiling effect of a drug? - ANSWER-efficacy. In other words the
maximum achievable result from a drug
How do pupils appear in opioid over dose? - ANSWER-pinpoint
What life threatening side effect may occur in oral contraceptive users who smoke? - ANSWER-
thromboembolism
If a patient experiences facial paralysis after an IAN, what happened? - ANSWER-anesthetic was injected
into the parotid gland, this allows anesthetic to reacha nd infiltrate the facial nerve causing temporary
paralysis.
Hypnotic drugs are used to - ANSWER-induce sleep
If a patient is allergic to both esthers and amides what can be injected for local anesthesia instead? -
ANSWER-1% diphenhydramine.
,Clarkes and Youngs rule for pediatric dosing are most commonly used in dentistry (T/F) - ANSWER-False.
Age, body weight, body surface area, and stage of development is more commonly used and safer
What is the most effective anti fungal for internal and superficial infections? - ANSWER-
fluconazole(diflucan)
What type of autonomic drugs are contraindicated in glaucoma? - ANSWER-anticholinergics, such as
atropine. Which is used for pupil dilation and to stop saliva flow.
Verapamil is a - ANSWER-calcium channel blocker
Atenolol is a - ANSWER-selective b1 receptor antagonist to treat low grade hypertension
What is the only anesthetic drug that can induce vasoconstriction of blood vessels which can increase
blood pressure - ANSWER-cocaine
What is recommended for lidocaine induced seizures? - ANSWER-diazepam (valium)
Tetracycline works by : - ANSWER-inhibiting protein synthesis
Why is phenytoin recommended for treatment of seizures over phenobarbital? - ANSWER-it has a less
sedative effect.
What tetracycline has the longest and slowest release? - ANSWER-doxycycline, for premed, acne, lyme
disease and malaria
What would be the first drug of choice for bradycardia? - ANSWER-atropine
Antihypertensives cause postural hypertension because they interfere with: - ANSWER-sympathetic
control of vascular reflexes
, What antibiotic is most likely to affect birth control? - ANSWER-rifampin
How does propanolol work? - ANSWER-by blocking b1/b2 adrenergic receptors in the heart
Which antibiotic is the least effective agains perio pathogens? - ANSWER-Pen VK, It is only affective
against gram positive aerobic
Increase in hydrophobicity of a LA causes an increase in _________ - ANSWER-potency
Brand name is aka - ANSWER-trade name
How is trade name written? - ANSWER-first letter capital ( i.e. Valium,
How is the generic name written? - ANSWER-lower case, ie. Ibuprofen
Hs - ANSWER-at bed time (hora somni)
Does sublingual avoid first pass? - ANSWER-yes
What is the best method of drug administration to control level of drugs? - ANSWER-intravenous
What is the difference between subcutaneous and intradermal administration? - ANSWER-subcutaneous
is under the skin and intradermal is into the dermal layer
Tb skin test is an example of - ANSWER-intradermal
Why are topical drugs more dangerous? - ANSWER-they are more concentrated, and have a higher rate
of toxicity
