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.
Q- Which one of the following regional anesthetics can cause methemoglobinemia if given in a large dose? A-Bupivacaine B-Cocaine C-Prilocaine D-Procaine Q- Which of the following is the mechanism of antimicrobial action of cephalosporins? A-Binding to the 30S Ribosomal Subunit B-Inhibition of beta-lactamase C-Inhibition of transpeptidation reactions D-Interference with the synthesis of ergosterol … Read more
Q- Which one of the following medications is commonly used to treat acute asthma attacks? A- Atropine B- Losartan C- Metformin D- Salbutamol Q- Which one of the following medications is a non-selective beta blocker? A- Atenolol B- Bisoprolol C- Metoprolol D- Propranolol Q- Which one of the following medications is an ACE … Read more
Q- Which of the following is a characteristic of the intramuscular (IM) route of drug administration? A- Its action is faster than the intravenous (IV) route of administration B- Its action is slower than the oral route of administration. C- Oily solutions can be injected D- Only aqueous solutions can be injected Q- Which one … Read more
Q- Which one of the following medications may cause metabolic acidosis by reducing the reabsorption of bicarbonate in the kidneys? A- Acetazolamide B- Furosemide C- Hydrochlorothiazide D- Spironolactone Q- Chancroid is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) characterized by painful ulcers on the genitalia. This infection is caused by which one of the following organisms? A- … Read more
Q- Which one of the following medications is the most effective to be used locally for general herpes infection? A- Acyclovir B- Amantadine C- Foscarnet D- Ritonavir Q- Acute hemorrhagic cystitis is a common side effect of which one of the following chemotherapeutic agents? A- Cyclophosphamide B- Doxorubicin C- Tamoxifen D- Vincristine Q- A patient … Read more
Q- A patient presents to the clinic for chronic pain management. Which of the following is the most dangerous side effect of fentanyl patches? A- Allergy B- Renal failure C- Respiratory depression D- Severe hypertension Q- Which one of the following local anesthetics is characterized by good surface activity and low toxic potentials? A- Benzocaine … Read more