11 USMLE Pharmacology Quick Review Questions with Answers (Set 25)

These 11 quick USMLE review questions test high-yield facts that show up again and again on the exam: benztropine, pilocarpine, scopolamine patches, M3 receptors, steroids and osteoporosis, acetazolamide, intracellular receptors, cocaine, cyclosporine, seizure treatment and doxorubicin. 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. Absorption of levodopa-carbidopa is reduced when taken with meals rich in which of the following nutrients?

A- Carbohydrate
B- Fat
C- Protein

C-Protein- Amino acids compete with this Parkinson’s disease medication for carrier sites which leads to reduced absorption. It should be taken on empty stomach and one hour before meals.
The correct answer is C

 

Question 2. Which one of the following medications is used in cases of schizophrenia to treat involuntary movements caused by the use of antipsychotics such as haloperidol?

A- Benztropine
B- Chlorpromazine
C- Lamotrigine
D- Sertraline

A- Benztropine- Benztropine is an anticholinergic drug that can prevent muscle spasms that may be caused by antipsychotic drugs. Chlorpromazine is another antipsychotic that can lead to the same side effects. Lamotrigine is used for seizures, and sertraline is an SSRI antidepressant.
The correct answer is A

 

Question 3. Which one of the following agents is a muscarinic cholinomimetic?

A- Atropine
B- Hexamethonium
C- Pilocarpine
D- Tubocurarine

C- Pilocarpine- Atropine blocks muscarinic receptors while hexamethonium and tubocurarine, are ganglionic blockers.
The correct answer is C

 

Question 4. Which one of the following drugs can be used as a patch to avoid sea sickness?

A- Adrenaline
B- Digoxin
C- Nicotine
D- Scopolamine

D- Scopolamine- Scopolamine is used to treat motion sickness and postsurgical nausea and vomiting. It is used in the form of patches as a prophylactic against motion sickness. Its common side effects are sleepiness and dry mouth.
The correct answer is D

 

Question 5. Bronchoconstriction results from stimulation of which one of the following receptor types?

A- Alpha-1- adrenergic receptors
B- Beta-2- adrenergic receptors
C- M2 cholinergic receptors
D- M3 cholinergic receptors

D- M3 cholinergic receptors- They cause stimulation of bronchiolar smooth muscles which leads to bronchoconstriction and pulmonary obstructive symptoms. There are no alpha adrenergic or M2 receptors in the lungs. Beta-2-adrenergic receptors’ stimulation causes bronchodilation.
The correct answer is D

 

Question 6. Which one of the following drugs is contraindicated in a case of osteoporosis?

A- Albuterol
B- Calcium oxalate
C- Prednisone
D- Simvastatin

C-Prednisone- All glucocorticoids including prednisone and cortisone inhibits bone formation and accelerate its resorption.
The correct answer is C

 

Question 7. Acetazolamide and other carbonic anhydrase inhibitors act at which part of the kidney?

A- Collecting duct
B- Descending loop of Henle
C- Distal tubule
D- Proximal tubule

D-Proximal tubule- These diuretics increase secretion of bicarbonate, sodium and potassium.
The correct answer is D

 

Question 8. Which one of the following medications enters the cell and acts on a cytoplasmic receptor?

A- Adrenaline
B- Dexamethasone
C- Insulin
D- Propranolol

B-Dexamethasone- It is the only one of the listed medications that combines with a cytoplasmic receptor, enters the nucleus and alters gene expression. Other medications act on membranous receptors.
The correct answer is B

 

Question 9. Which one of the following local anesthetics causes local vasoconstriction and may lead to hypertension?

A- Cocaine
B- Etidocaine
C- Lidocaine
D- Tetracaine

A-Cocaine- It acts by inhibiting reuptake of norepinephrine through sympathetic nerve endings. Other local anesthetics on the list cause vasodilation.
The correct answer is A

 

Question 10. Which one of the following drugs is the first-line medication in transplant immunopharmacology?

A- Cyclosporine
B- Methotrexate
C- Sulfasalazine
D- Thalidomide

A-Cyclosporine- Methotrexate and sulfasalazine are used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and some cancers. Thalidomide is used in erythema nodosum leprosum and multiple myeloma.
The correct answer is A

 

Question 11. A 28-year-old man is brought by his father to the emergency room with flaccid coma for 15 minutes. His father mentions that his son had seizures on a regular basis. This time, he lost his consciousness, fell to the ground and his body started jerking for about 3 minutes. While talking to his father, the patient becomes conscious, confused and complains of headache. Which of the following medications is the initial treatment for this condition?

A- Ethosuximide
B- Felbamate
C- Phenytoin
D- Topiramate

C- Phenytoin- This is a generalized tonic-clonic seizure with a post-ictal phase. Phenytoin is a classic exam answer for long-term prevention of tonic-clonic seizures; in current practice valproate, levetiracetam or lamotrigine are also first-line. An ongoing seizure (status epilepticus) is treated first with an IV benzodiazepine.
The correct answer is C

 

High-yield points from this set

  • Benztropine treats antipsychotic-induced parkinsonism.
  • M3 receptors mediate bronchoconstriction.
  • Long-term glucocorticoids cause osteoporosis.
  • Doxorubicin causes dose-dependent cardiomyopathy (dexrazoxane protects).

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