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 63-year-old man with a history of atrial fibrillation visits the clinic for evaluation of his current medications. His physician orders laboratory tests including prothrombin time. Which one of these drugs is used to reduce the possibility of blood clotting in this patient through its action on the enzyme epoxide reductase? A- Aspirin B- Dipyridamole … Read more
A 19-year-old man with a history of immunodeficiency disease develops fever. Prophylactic measures including some medications are initiated. A few days later, the patient develops acute renal failure. Which of these drugs is most likely responsible? A-Acyclovir B-Amphotericin B C-Ampicillin D-Ciprofloxacin E-Nystatin Answer Amphotericin B has been known for causing renal problems through decreasing creatinine … Read more
A 35-year-old unresponsive man is brought to the emergency room after an episode of agitation and confusion. He has a history of inadequately treated Graves’ disease. Physical examination reveals temperature of 102.5F. Blood pressure of 100/70 mm Hg, and pulse of 165 per minute. After stabilizing this patient, which of the following would be the … Read more
A 62-year-old woman with a history of type 2 diabetes complains of nausea and bloating for the last three months. Gastric emptying studies confirm the diagnosis of diabetic gastroparesis. What is the first line therapy for this patient? A-Clindamycin B-Metoclopramide C-Omeprazole D-Ondansetron E-Sodium bicarbonate Answer Diabetic gastroparesis is characterized by delayed stomach emptying which leads … Read more
A 45-year-old man is admitted to the hospital for a scheduled surgery. Two days later, he develops fever, chills, cough and chest pain. This hospital has reported several cases of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the last 3 months. What should have been given to this patient to prevent his infection with MRSA? A-Ampicillin B-Ciprofloxacin … Read more
A 72-year-old woman presents to her physician complaining of abdominal pain and frequent episodes of burning micturition. After physical examination and laboratory tests, she is diagnosed with urinary tract infection. She is prescribed gentamicin in addition to other medications. What is the most likely complication attributed to this antibiotic? A-Hepatic toxicity B-Hearing loss C-Thrombocytopenia D-Agranulocytosis … Read more