Page 1 of 43
PHARM EXAM 2 PRACTICE
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Johns Hopkins University
School of Nursing
HIGH YIELDS QUESTIONS
NEWEST MODEL 2026 EXAM LATEST
VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS VERIFIED 100 %
Exam
, Page 2 of 43
PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 2 PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Pharmacology Exam 2
What is the mechanism of action of beta lactams?
bind transpeptidase (PBP's), preventing peptidoglycan crosslinking to prevent cell
wall synthesis
What are in the family of beta lactams?
Penicillins
Cephalosporins
Carbapenems
Monobactams
What is the mechanism of action of sulfonamides?
Inhibit folate synthesis
What is the mechanism of action of quinolones?
Inhibit DNA gyrase
What are the groups of abx that inhibit the 50s subunit on a ribosome?
- Macrolides
- Clindamycin
- Linezolid
What groups of abx inhibit the 30s subunit on a ribosome?
- Tetracyclines
- Aminoglycosides
What are the over the counter ointments?
Polymyxins, bacitracin
What are common uses of Penicillin V (Pen-vee-K, Veetids)?
- strep throat
- dental infections
Is penicillin G oral or injectable or both?
Injectable
What are common uses of Penicillin G?
, Page 3 of 43
- Strep throat
- Syphilis
What does beta-lactamase do?
It's produced by bacteria to break the 4 membered ring of beta-lactams to inactivate
them.
What are in the family of anti-staphylococcal penicillins?
These are penicillins where the R group has been changed to get them past beta-
lactamase
- Dicloxacillin
- Nafcillin
What is are the major downsides to nafcillin?
- Is IV only and every 4 hours
- has a huge sodium load
What are in the family of aminopenicillins?
altered form of penicillins that are broader spectrum
- Amoxicillin (Amoxil & Trimox) (very versatile in usage & interchangeable with
ampicillin)
- Ampicillin (used mostly IV, has much less absorption than amoxicillin)
What are the antipseudomonal penicillins?
- Piperacillin
- Ticarcillin
- Timentin (Ticarcillin & Clavulanate)
- Zosyn (Piperacillin & Tazobactam)
What are clavulanate & Tazobactam?
Beta-lactamase inhibitors
Can penicillin bind to IgE and cause allergies?
No, Penicillin cannot bind IgE, but it changes shape, and the new molecule can bind
IgE and cause allergies.
What are the 1st generation cephalosporins?
- Cephalexin (Keflex)
- Cefadroxil (Duricef)
What are the differences between cephalexin (Keflex) & Cefadroxil (Duricef)?
, Page 4 of 43
Cefadroxil (Duricef) is more expensive, has a longer half life, and is FDA approved to
treat strep with a dose taken once a day
What are the 2nd generation cephalosporins?
- Cefuroxime Axetil (Ceftin)
What is Cefuroxime Axetil (Ceftin) used for commonly?
- Really good for pneumonia
What are the 3rd generation cephalosporins?
- Cefdinir (Omnicef)
- Cefixime (Suprax)
- Ceftriaxone (Rocephin) (Parenteral - IV or IM)
What is a unique detail for Cefdinir (Omnicef)?
- Similar and almost interchangeable with Amoxicillin-Clavulanate (Augmentin)
- Gets metabolized to something that is red, may look like blood in the stool when
excreted
What is Ceftriaxone (Rocephin) used for the most?
- STDs
- Severe systemic infections
- Severe pneumonia or UTIs
- Late stage Lyme Disease
What are the 4th generation cephalosporins?
- Cefepime (Maxipime) (Only IV, reserved for ICU or very ill patients)
When converting weight from lbs to kgs in your head, what is the shortcut?
Divide by 2, subtract ~10% of remaining amount
What family of abx has the most broad spectrum of all antimicrobials?
Carbapenems
What bacteria are not covered by carbapenems?
MRSA, VRE, Coagulase negative staph, C. diff, Nocardia
What is a unique feature of the pharmacokinetics of the quinolones?
They have almost 100% bioavailability
What are the quinolones good for?
- pneumonia
- skin/soft tissue infections
- bone infections
- UTIs
PHARM EXAM 2 PRACTICE
Download now
Johns Hopkins University
School of Nursing
HIGH YIELDS QUESTIONS
NEWEST MODEL 2026 EXAM LATEST
VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS VERIFIED 100 %
Exam
, Page 2 of 43
PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 2 PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Pharmacology Exam 2
What is the mechanism of action of beta lactams?
bind transpeptidase (PBP's), preventing peptidoglycan crosslinking to prevent cell
wall synthesis
What are in the family of beta lactams?
Penicillins
Cephalosporins
Carbapenems
Monobactams
What is the mechanism of action of sulfonamides?
Inhibit folate synthesis
What is the mechanism of action of quinolones?
Inhibit DNA gyrase
What are the groups of abx that inhibit the 50s subunit on a ribosome?
- Macrolides
- Clindamycin
- Linezolid
What groups of abx inhibit the 30s subunit on a ribosome?
- Tetracyclines
- Aminoglycosides
What are the over the counter ointments?
Polymyxins, bacitracin
What are common uses of Penicillin V (Pen-vee-K, Veetids)?
- strep throat
- dental infections
Is penicillin G oral or injectable or both?
Injectable
What are common uses of Penicillin G?
, Page 3 of 43
- Strep throat
- Syphilis
What does beta-lactamase do?
It's produced by bacteria to break the 4 membered ring of beta-lactams to inactivate
them.
What are in the family of anti-staphylococcal penicillins?
These are penicillins where the R group has been changed to get them past beta-
lactamase
- Dicloxacillin
- Nafcillin
What is are the major downsides to nafcillin?
- Is IV only and every 4 hours
- has a huge sodium load
What are in the family of aminopenicillins?
altered form of penicillins that are broader spectrum
- Amoxicillin (Amoxil & Trimox) (very versatile in usage & interchangeable with
ampicillin)
- Ampicillin (used mostly IV, has much less absorption than amoxicillin)
What are the antipseudomonal penicillins?
- Piperacillin
- Ticarcillin
- Timentin (Ticarcillin & Clavulanate)
- Zosyn (Piperacillin & Tazobactam)
What are clavulanate & Tazobactam?
Beta-lactamase inhibitors
Can penicillin bind to IgE and cause allergies?
No, Penicillin cannot bind IgE, but it changes shape, and the new molecule can bind
IgE and cause allergies.
What are the 1st generation cephalosporins?
- Cephalexin (Keflex)
- Cefadroxil (Duricef)
What are the differences between cephalexin (Keflex) & Cefadroxil (Duricef)?
, Page 4 of 43
Cefadroxil (Duricef) is more expensive, has a longer half life, and is FDA approved to
treat strep with a dose taken once a day
What are the 2nd generation cephalosporins?
- Cefuroxime Axetil (Ceftin)
What is Cefuroxime Axetil (Ceftin) used for commonly?
- Really good for pneumonia
What are the 3rd generation cephalosporins?
- Cefdinir (Omnicef)
- Cefixime (Suprax)
- Ceftriaxone (Rocephin) (Parenteral - IV or IM)
What is a unique detail for Cefdinir (Omnicef)?
- Similar and almost interchangeable with Amoxicillin-Clavulanate (Augmentin)
- Gets metabolized to something that is red, may look like blood in the stool when
excreted
What is Ceftriaxone (Rocephin) used for the most?
- STDs
- Severe systemic infections
- Severe pneumonia or UTIs
- Late stage Lyme Disease
What are the 4th generation cephalosporins?
- Cefepime (Maxipime) (Only IV, reserved for ICU or very ill patients)
When converting weight from lbs to kgs in your head, what is the shortcut?
Divide by 2, subtract ~10% of remaining amount
What family of abx has the most broad spectrum of all antimicrobials?
Carbapenems
What bacteria are not covered by carbapenems?
MRSA, VRE, Coagulase negative staph, C. diff, Nocardia
What is a unique feature of the pharmacokinetics of the quinolones?
They have almost 100% bioavailability
What are the quinolones good for?
- pneumonia
- skin/soft tissue infections
- bone infections
- UTIs
