Pharmacology practice questions: common drug classes
Fifteen questions on the drug classes nursing and health students meet first: how they work, the adverse effects to watch for and the antidotes to know. Pick an answer to see the explanation.
Written by the Quizard team. Last updated
Pharmacology exams reward pattern recognition: knowing a drug’s class from its name, and then its mechanism, key adverse effects and monitoring. This set leaves doses out on purpose, because they vary between sources and settings. Learn the doses and local policies your own course teaches.
| Ending | Class | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -olol | Beta blocker | Metoprolol |
| -pril | ACE inhibitor | Lisinopril |
| -sartan | Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) | Losartan |
| -statin | HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor | Atorvastatin |
| -prazole | Proton pump inhibitor | Omeprazole |
| -azepam / -azolam | Benzodiazepine | Lorazepam |
Questions
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1. Lisinopril belongs to which drug class?
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Answer: ACE inhibitors. The -pril ending marks an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor.
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2. Which adverse effect of ACE inhibitors often leads patients to switch to an ARB?
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Answer: A dry, persistent cough. ACE inhibitors also slow the breakdown of bradykinin, which can cause a dry cough. ARBs do not have this effect.
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3. Which electrolyte can rise with ACE inhibitors and ARBs?
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Answer: Potassium. Lower aldosterone activity means less potassium is excreted, so hyperkalemia is a risk, especially with kidney disease.
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4. Which class ends in -statin and lowers LDL cholesterol?
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Answer: HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Statins block HMG-CoA reductase, a key enzyme in the liver’s cholesterol synthesis.
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5. A patient taking a statin reports unexplained muscle pain. Which adverse effect should be considered?
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Answer: Myopathy. Statins can cause muscle pain and, rarely, rhabdomyolysis, so new muscle symptoms should be reported.
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6. How does omeprazole reduce stomach acid?
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Answer: It blocks the H⁺/K⁺ ATPase proton pump. Proton pump inhibitors block the final step of acid secretion in the parietal cells. H2 blockers such as famotidine act earlier.
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7. Which drug reverses an opioid overdose?
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Answer: Naloxone. Naloxone is an opioid receptor antagonist. Its effect can wear off before the opioid’s, so patients need watching.
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8. Flumazenil reverses the effects of which drug class?
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Answer: Benzodiazepines. Flumazenil is a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist.
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9. How does warfarin prevent clotting?
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Answer: It inhibits synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors. Warfarin blocks vitamin K epoxide reductase, reducing factors II, VII, IX and X. It does not break down clots that have already formed.
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10. Which blood test is used to monitor warfarin?
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Answer: INR. The INR standardizes the prothrombin time. The aPTT is used to monitor unfractionated heparin.
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11. Which class ends in -sartan?
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Answer: Angiotensin II receptor blockers. ARBs such as losartan block angiotensin II at its AT1 receptor.
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12. Furosemide is most associated with which electrolyte imbalance?
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Answer: Hypokalemia. Loop diuretics increase potassium loss in the urine, so potassium levels are monitored.
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13. Why is spironolactone called potassium-sparing?
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Answer: It blocks aldosterone. As an aldosterone antagonist it reduces sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion in the collecting duct.
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14. What is the main action of metformin?
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Answer: It reduces glucose production by the liver. Metformin mainly lowers hepatic glucose output and improves insulin sensitivity. It does not stimulate insulin release.
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15. Why are NSAIDs such as ibuprofen linked to stomach ulcers?
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Answer: They reduce protective prostaglandins in the stomach lining. Blocking COX-1 reduces the prostaglandins that maintain mucus, bicarbonate and blood flow in the stomach lining.
For exam study only, not clinical guidance. Doses, reference ranges and protocols vary, so follow your course, your local policy and current references. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
Further reading
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