10 USMLE Pharmacology Quick Review Questions with Answers (Set 1)

These 10 quick USMLE review questions test the high-yield facts that show up again and again on the exam: antipsychotics, aplastic anemia, antihypertensives in diabetes, finasteride, organophosphate poisoning, warfarin, niacin, protamine, metformin and decongestants. Each question includes the correct answer.

Written by Dr. Ray Makar, MD, author of the Repeated USMLE Questions eBook series.

Prefer video? Watch daily USMLE case questions on MedFocus by Dr. Ray on YouTube.

How to use this page: read the question, pick your answer, then tap Show Answer and Explanation.

Questions

Question 1. Which one of these drugs can lead to weight gain and constipation?

A- Bromocriptine
B- Clozapine
C- Pimozide
D- Ziprasidone

B- Clozapine- Clozapine, an atypical antipsychotic, is associated with significant weight gain due to metabolic side effects and can cause constipation from its strong anticholinergic effects. Bromocriptine tends to cause weight loss, ziprasidone is relatively weight-neutral, and pimozide has fewer anticholinergic effects.
The correct answer is B

 

Question 2. Which one of these drugs is associated with aplastic anemia?

A- Chloramphenicol
B- Metronidazole
C- Nitrofurantoin
D- Penicillin

A- Chloramphenicol- Chloramphenicol is classically associated with aplastic anemia, a rare but serious adverse effect due to bone marrow suppression. Metronidazole, nitrofurantoin, and penicillin are not typically linked to aplastic anemia.
The correct answer is A

 

Question 3. Which one of these drugs is more beneficial to treat hypertension in diabetic patients?

A- Amlodipine
B- Enalapril
C- Furosemide
D- Verapamil

B- Enalapril- ACE inhibitors such as enalapril are particularly beneficial in patients with diabetes mellitus because they lower blood pressure and slow the progression of diabetic nephropathy by reducing intraglomerular pressure and proteinuria. Other agents may control blood pressure but do not provide the same renal protective benefit as ACE inhibitors in diabetic patients.
The correct answer is B

 

Question 4. Which one of the following is the mechanism of action of finasteride?

A- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog
B- Inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase
C- Inhibition of testosterone negative feedback
D- Stimulation of the posterior lobe of pituitary gland

B- Inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase
The correct answer is B

 

Question 5. Which of the following is the most appropriate treatment of organophosphate poisoning?

A- Hexamethonium
B- Morphine
C- Pralidoxime
D- Pyridostigmine

C- Pralidoxime
The correct answer is C

 

Question 6. Which one of the following drugs inhibits epoxide reductase?

A- Aspirin
B- Heparin
C- Streptokinase
D- Warfarin

D- Warfarin
The correct answer is D

 

Question 7. Which one of the following lipid-lowering agents can cause skin flushing and pruritus?

A- Atorvastatin
B- Cholestyramine
C- Gemfibrozil
D- Niacin

D- Niacin
The correct answer is D

 

Question 8. Which one of the following drugs reverses the effects of heparin?

A- Chloroquine
B- Epinephrine
C- Protamine
D- Warfarin

C- Protamine
The correct answer is C

 

Question 9. Which one of the following oral anti-diabetic drugs is associated with lactic acidosis?

A- Glipizide
B- Metformin
C- Nateglinide
D- Pioglitazone

B- Metformin
The correct answer is B

 

Question 10. Which one of the following drugs is often added to nasal decongestants?

A- Albuterol
B- Epinephrine
C- Norepinephrine
D- Phenylephrine

D- Phenylephrine
The correct answer is D

 

High-yield points from this set

  • Clozapine: weight gain, constipation and agranulocytosis.
  • Chloramphenicol causes aplastic anemia (and gray baby syndrome).
  • Organophosphate poisoning: atropine plus pralidoxime.
  • Niacin causes flushing (prevent with aspirin); metformin can cause lactic acidosis.

Keep practicing

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