Free Questions and Answers for All Medical Students all over the World
Start here: practice all 87 questions on one page in our USMLE Pharmacology Question Bank, organized by system.
Pharmacology is one of the highest-yield subjects on USMLE Step 1, and it appears in almost every system block. This page collects all of our pharmacology practice questions in one place.
High-yield pharmacology topics to master
• Mechanisms of action – know the target (receptor, enzyme or channel) for every major drug class.
• Classic side effects – ACE inhibitor cough, hydralazine lupus, amiodarone pulmonary fibrosis, aminoglycoside nephro- and ototoxicity.
• Drug interactions – CYP450 inducers (rifampin, carbamazepine) and inhibitors, warfarin interactions, digoxin and hypokalemia.
• Antidotes and toxicity – N-acetylcysteine, dantrolene, vitamin K and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
• Autonomic pharmacology – alpha and beta agonists and blockers, cholinergic and anticholinergic drugs.
Try each question before opening the answer, then read the explanation even when you get it right. Each post has 3–8 exam-style questions with answers and short explanations written by Dr. Ray Makar.
Want hundreds more? See the Repeated USMLE Questions eBook series on Amazon.
A 40-year-old man who works in a manufacture of explosives presents to the clinic for a routine physical examination. Medical history reveals that the patient experiences episodes of headache and palpitation every Monday. Physical examination, laboratory tests and ECG show normal results. The patient questions if the chemicals related to his job could be responsible … Read more
A 45-year-old woman is sent to the emergency room from a vision center after examining her eyes to get new glasses. While she was in the waiting room, she developed severe ocular pain in her right eye and she started seeing halos around light. Which of these agents most likely is the reason for this … Read more
A 62-year-old man who has a history of various drug overdose incidents presents to the emergency room after administration of a high dose of aspirin. Which set of these findings characterizes this condition? A-Metabolic acidosis and respiratory acidosis B-Metabolic acidosis and respiratory alkalosis C-Metabolic alkalosis and respiratory acidosis D-Metabolic alkalosis and respiratory alkalosis Answer Salicylate … Read more
Q- Which one of the following drugs results in disulfiram- like action when it is accompanied by alcohol? A- Ampicillin B- Cefotetan C- Cimetidine D- Dipyridamole Q- Which one of the following medications inhibits fibrinolysis? A- Aminocaproic acid B- Heparin C- Lepirudin D- Rifampin Q- Which one of the following medications can be reversed by … Read more
A 24-year-old man presents to the clinic with a complaint of grey-colored penile discharge and burning micturition for 2 days. His medical, surgical and family histories are unremarkable. Examination reveals a purulent discharge that can be seen by squeezing his penis. Penile swab shows Gram-negative diplococci within neutrophils. What is the most appropriate treatment? A … Read more
A 22-year-old female with a history of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) develops low grade fever, headache and blurred vision. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing for Cryptococcal antigen is positive. Which of these drugs can be given orally to treat Cryptococcal meningitis? A-Amphotericin B B-Caspofungin C-Fluconazole D-Metronidazole Answer This is a tricky question. The ideal regimen for … Read more