20 Medications & Pharmacology Practice Questions & Answers

1. 1. A patient's profile lists Lipitor. Which generic drug is this the brand name for?

   • A.Atorvastatin✓ Answer
   • B.Amlodipine
   • C.Metoprolol
   • D.Lisinopril

   Lipitor is the brand name for atorvastatin, an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin). The '-statin' suffix identifies the class, and Lipitor↔atorvastatin is one of the most frequently tested brand/generic pairs.

   Source: FDA labeling (Lipitor/atorvastatin); PTCE Medications 1.1Report a problem with this question

2. 2. A prescriber orders enalapril, benazepril, and ramipril for different patients. The '-pril' suffix identifies which drug class?

   • A.Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)
   • B.ACE inhibitors✓ Answer
   • C.Calcium channel blockers
   • D.Beta-blockers

   The '-pril' suffix denotes ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors such as lisinopril, enalapril, and ramipril. ARBs instead end in '-sartan', so the suffix reliably distinguishes the two classes.

   Source: USAN nomenclature stem '-pril'; PTCE Medications 1.1Report a problem with this question

3. 3. Which of the following is a correct brand name for the generic drug metoprolol?

   • A.Cozaar
   • B.Prinivil
   • C.Toprol XL✓ Answer
   • D.Norvasc

   Metoprolol is sold as Lopressor (tartrate) and Toprol XL (succinate). Norvasc is amlodipine, Prinivil is lisinopril, and Cozaar is losartan, making Toprol XL the only correct brand for metoprolol.

   Source: FDA labeling (Toprol XL/metoprolol succinate); PTCE Medications 1.1Report a problem with this question

4. 4. Omeprazole (Prilosec) belongs to which therapeutic class?

   • A.Prokinetic agent
   • B.Antacid
   • C.H2-receptor antagonist
   • D.Proton pump inhibitor (PPI)✓ Answer

   The '-prazole' suffix identifies proton pump inhibitors, which block the gastric H+/K+ ATPase to reduce acid secretion. H2 blockers such as famotidine end in '-tidine', a common distractor pairing.

   Source: USAN stem '-prazole'; FDA labeling (Prilosec); PTCE Medications 1.1Report a problem with this question

5. 5. The '-sartan' suffix (e.g., losartan, valsartan) identifies which class of antihypertensive?

   • A.ACE inhibitors
   • B.Alpha-blockers
   • C.Thiazide diuretics
   • D.Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)✓ Answer

   Drugs ending in '-sartan' are angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), which block angiotensin II at its receptor. Unlike ACE inhibitors ('-pril'), ARBs rarely cause the dry cough associated with bradykinin buildup.

   Source: USAN stem '-sartan'; PTCE Medications 1.1Report a problem with this question

6. 6. Amlodipine (Norvasc) is classified as which of the following?

   • A.Dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker✓ Answer
   • B.Beta-1 selective blocker
   • C.Loop diuretic
   • D.ACE inhibitor

   The '-dipine' suffix marks dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine, which relax vascular smooth muscle to lower blood pressure. This subclass primarily affects blood vessels rather than heart rate.

   Source: USAN stem '-dipine'; FDA labeling (Norvasc); PTCE Medications 1.1Report a problem with this question

7. 7. Levothyroxine (Synthroid) is most commonly prescribed to treat which condition?

   • A.Hyperlipidemia
   • B.Hyperthyroidism
   • C.Type 2 diabetes
   • D.Hypothyroidism✓ Answer

   Levothyroxine is a synthetic T4 thyroid hormone used to replace deficient hormone in hypothyroidism. It supplies hormone the underactive thyroid cannot make, so it treats hypothyroidism, not the overactive (hyper) state.

   Source: FDA labeling (Synthroid/levothyroxine); PTCE Medications 1.6Report a problem with this question

8. 8. Metformin (Glucophage) is a first-line agent for which condition?

   • A.Type 2 diabetes mellitus✓ Answer
   • B.Hypertension
   • C.Asthma
   • D.Depression

   Metformin is a biguanide that lowers blood glucose mainly by reducing hepatic glucose production, and it is the standard first-line drug for type 2 diabetes. It does not treat blood pressure, airway, or mood disorders.

   Source: FDA labeling (Glucophage/metformin); PTCE Medications 1.6Report a problem with this question

9. 9. Albuterol delivered via metered-dose inhaler is primarily used to treat which of the following?

   • A.Hypothyroidism
   • B.Acute bronchospasm/asthma✓ Answer
   • C.Bacterial pneumonia
   • D.Hypertension

   Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) that relaxes bronchial smooth muscle, making it a rescue inhaler for acute bronchospasm in asthma and COPD. It is not an antibiotic or antihypertensive.

   Source: FDA labeling (albuterol/ProAir, Ventolin); PTCE Medications 1.6Report a problem with this question

10. 10. A patient on lisinopril reports a persistent dry, nagging cough with no infection. This side effect is most characteristic of which drug class?

    • A.ACE inhibitors✓ Answer
    • B.Thiazide diuretics
    • C.Statins
    • D.Beta-blockers

    ACE inhibitors like lisinopril reduce breakdown of bradykinin, which accumulates in the airways and triggers a classic persistent dry cough. Switching to an ARB, which does not raise bradykinin, usually resolves it.

    Source: FDA labeling (ACE inhibitor cough/angioedema warning); PTCE Medications 1.5Report a problem with this question

11. 11. A patient taking a statin such as atorvastatin should be counseled to report which potentially serious adverse effect?

    • A.Increased urination
    • B.Unexplained muscle pain or weakness✓ Answer
    • C.Dry cough
    • D.Ringing in the ears

    Statins can cause myopathy that may progress to rhabdomyolysis, so unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness is a warning sign to report. Rhabdomyolysis can release myoglobin and injure the kidneys if unrecognized.

    Source: FDA labeling (statin myopathy/rhabdomyolysis warning); PTCE Medications 1.5Report a problem with this question

12. 12. A patient with a documented severe penicillin allergy is prescribed a cephalosporin. Why should the pharmacist flag this?

    • A.Cephalosporins are chemically identical to sulfa drugs
    • B.There is no possible interaction to consider
    • C.Cephalosporins and penicillins can show cross-sensitivity due to a shared beta-lactam ring✓ Answer
    • D.Cephalosporins always cancel out penicillin allergies

    Penicillins and cephalosporins both contain a beta-lactam ring, so a patient allergic to one may cross-react to the other. The pharmacist should flag a severe penicillin allergy before a cephalosporin is dispensed.

    Source: Beta-lactam cross-reactivity (FDA labeling); PTCE Medications 1.5Report a problem with this question

13. 13. A patient taking sublingual nitroglycerin for angina asks about erectile dysfunction drugs like sildenafil (Viagra). Why is this combination dangerous?

    • A.It causes severe constipation
    • B.It causes dangerously high blood pressure
    • C.It can cause severe, potentially fatal hypotension✓ Answer
    • D.It makes both drugs ineffective

    Nitrates and PDE5 inhibitors (sildenafil, tadalafil) both increase nitric oxide/cGMP-mediated vasodilation, and together can cause profound, potentially fatal drops in blood pressure. Their combined use is contraindicated.

    Source: FDA labeling (nitrate/PDE5 inhibitor contraindication); PTCE Medications 1.3Report a problem with this question

14. 14. A patient is dispensed tetracycline. Which counseling point helps avoid a chelation interaction that reduces absorption?

    • A.Always take it with a high-fat meal
    • B.Separate it from dairy, antacids, calcium, and iron products✓ Answer
    • C.Take it only with grapefruit juice
    • D.Crush it and mix with milk

    Tetracyclines (and fluoroquinolones) bind polyvalent cations such as calcium, magnesium, aluminum, and iron, forming insoluble chelates that block absorption. Separating doses from dairy, antacids, and mineral supplements preserves efficacy.

    Source: FDA labeling (tetracycline cation chelation); PTCE Medications 1.3Report a problem with this question

15. 15. A patient stabilized on warfarin suddenly increases intake of vitamin K-rich foods such as spinach and kale. What is the likely effect on the warfarin?

    • A.Warfarin is converted to an antiplatelet drug
    • B.Decreased anticoagulant effect (lower INR)✓ Answer
    • C.No effect on anticoagulation
    • D.Increased anticoagulant effect (higher INR)

    Warfarin works by inhibiting vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, so a sudden increase in dietary vitamin K opposes its action and lowers the INR, reducing anticoagulation. Patients are counseled to keep vitamin K intake consistent rather than eliminate it.

    Source: FDA labeling (warfarin/vitamin K interaction); PTCE Medications 1.3Report a problem with this question

16. 16. During order entry, a technician sees a patient is prescribed both ibuprofen and naproxen scheduled together. What should this be flagged as?

    • A.A drug-food interaction
    • B.A therapeutic duplication (two NSAIDs)✓ Answer
    • C.A look-alike/sound-alike error only
    • D.A normal, safe combination

    Ibuprofen and naproxen are both NSAIDs, so prescribing them together is a therapeutic duplication that adds no benefit while raising the risk of GI bleeding and renal harm. The technician should flag it for pharmacist review.

    Source: Therapeutic duplication (two NSAIDs); PTCE Medications 1.2Report a problem with this question

17. 17. A patient asks to crush an extended-release (ER) tablet to make it easier to swallow. Why is this generally unsafe?

    • A.Crushing has no effect on ER tablets
    • B.Crushing can release the full dose at once, risking toxicity/overdose✓ Answer
    • C.It converts the tablet into an injectable form
    • D.It makes the drug completely inactive

    Extended-release tablets are engineered to release drug slowly over time; crushing them destroys that control and can dump the entire dose at once (dose dumping), risking toxicity. Such 'do not crush' forms should be dispensed intact.

    Source: ISMP Do Not Crush list; PTCE Medications 1.4Report a problem with this question

18. 18. According to USP standards, what is the correct temperature range for refrigerated storage of medications such as unopened insulin vials?

    • A.20–25°C (68–77°F)
    • B.−25 to −10°C (−13 to 14°F)
    • C.30–40°C (86–104°F)
    • D.2–8°C (36–46°F)✓ Answer

    USP defines refrigerated storage as 2–8°C (36–46°F). Unopened insulin must be kept in this range but must not be frozen, since freezing denatures the protein and destroys potency; 20–25°C is controlled room temperature.

    Source: USP <659> refrigerator 2–8°C; PTCE Medications 1.8Report a problem with this question

19. 19. Per FDA labeling, after reconstitution amoxicillin oral suspension should be discarded after how many days?

    • A.90 days
    • B.14 days✓ Answer
    • C.24 hours
    • D.6 months

    AMOXIL/amoxicillin labeling states that any unused reconstituted suspension must be discarded after 14 days; refrigeration is preferable but not required. This beyond-use date differs from the manufacturer's expiration date on the dry powder.

    Source: FDA labeling AMOXIL (discard reconstituted suspension after 14 days); PTCE Medications 1.7Report a problem with this question

20. 20. Tall Man lettering is used for the LASA pair 'hydrOXYzine' and 'hydrALAZINE.' What is the purpose of this formatting?

    • A.To show the drug must be refrigerated
    • B.To indicate the drug is a controlled substance
    • C.To mark the drug as a high-dose formulation
    • D.To highlight differences between look-alike/sound-alike drug names and prevent mix-ups✓ Answer

    Tall Man lettering capitalizes the differing portions of look-alike/sound-alike (LASA) drug names so they are visually distinct, reducing selection and dispensing errors. HydrOXYzine (an antihistamine) and hydrALAZINE (an antihypertensive) are unrelated drugs.

    Source: ISMP Tall Man lettering / LASA; PTCE Patient Safety domainReport a problem with this question

Practice questions based on the PTCB exam content outline. Not affiliated with the PTCB, and not medical advice. About the PTCE →