Welcome to Pharmacology MCQ Series (PHM-001). These 20 important multiple-choice questions are useful for GPAT, NIPER, AIIMS CRE, ESIC Pharmacist, DSSSB Pharmacist, RRB Pharmacist, NHM, UPSC CMS and other competitive pharmacy examinations. Attempt all questions first, then verify your answers using the answer key given below and finally read the detailed explanations to strengthen your concepts.
Subject: Pharmacology
Total Questions: 20
20 Pharmacology MCQs
Which of the following is a selective COX-2 inhibitor?
- A. Aspirin
- B. Diclofenac
- C. Celecoxib
- D. Ibuprofen
Drug of choice for status epilepticus?
- A. Phenytoin
- B. Diazepam
- C. Valproate
- D. Carbamazepine
Which drug is used in Myasthenia Gravis?
- A. Neostigmine
- B. Atropine
- C. Propranolol
- D. Adrenaline
Which of the following is a thiazide diuretic?
- A. Furosemide
- B. Hydrochlorothiazide
- C. Mannitol
- D. Spironolactone
Which drug is used for treatment of angina?
- A. Propranolol
- B. Nifedipine
- C. Glyceryl trinitrate
- D. All of the above
Which drug is an H2 receptor antagonist?
- A. Omeprazole
- B. Ranitidine
- C. Sucralfate
- D. Misoprostol
Drug of choice for Parkinson’s disease?
- A. Levodopa
- B. Dopamine
- C. Amantadine
- D. Bromocriptine
Which antibiotic inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis?
- A. Tetracycline
- B. Penicillin
- C. Erythromycin
- D. Ciprofloxacin
Which drug is used in bronchial asthma?
- A. Salbutamol
- B. Theophylline
- C. Montelukast
- D. All of the above
Which drug is a potassium-sparing diuretic?
- A. Amiloride
- B. Furosemide
- C. Mannitol
- D. Hydrochlorothiazide
Which of the following is a local anesthetic?
- A. Lidocaine
- B. Ketamine
- C. Propofol
- D. Thiopentone
Drug of choice for hypertension during pregnancy is:
- A. Enalapril
- B. Losartan
- C. Methyldopa
- D. Atenolol
Which drug is an anticholinergic agent?
- A. Atropine
- B. Pilocarpine
- C. Bethanechol
- D. Neostigmine
Which of the following is a first-line anti-tubercular drug?
- A. Isoniazid
- B. Ciprofloxacin
- C. Azithromycin
- D. Ceftriaxone
Which drug belongs to the Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) class?
- A. Omeprazole
- B. Ranitidine
- C. Sucralfate
- D. Antacid Gel
Which of the following is a non-selective beta blocker?
- A. Propranolol
- B. Atenolol
- C. Metoprolol
- D. Nebivolol
Which of the following is an opioid analgesic?
- A. Tramadol
- B. Paracetamol
- C. Diclofenac
- D. Ibuprofen
Which drug is commonly used in Heart Failure?
- A. Digoxin
- B. Spironolactone
- C. Enalapril
- D. All of the above
Which drug is contraindicated in angle-closure glaucoma?
- A. Atropine
- B. Pilocarpine
- C. Timolol
- D. Acetazolamide
Which of the following is a third-generation cephalosporin?
- A. Cephalexin
- B. Ceftriaxone
- C. Cefazolin
- D. Cefadroxil
Answer Key (PHM-001)
Match your answers with the answer key below before reading the explanations.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1 | C |
| 2 | B |
| 3 | A |
| 4 | B |
| 5 | D |
| 6 | B |
| 7 | A |
| 8 | B |
| 9 | D |
| 10 | A |
| 11 | A |
| 12 | C |
| 13 | A |
| 14 | A |
| 15 | A |
| 16 | A |
| 17 | A |
| 18 | D |
| 19 | A |
| 20 | B |
Detailed Answer & Explanation
Question 1. Which of the following is a selective COX-2 inhibitor?
Correct Answer: C. Celecoxib
Explanation: Celecoxib selectively inhibits the COX-2 enzyme, reducing prostaglandin synthesis responsible for pain and inflammation. Compared with traditional NSAIDs, it causes less gastric irritation because COX-1 is largely spared.
Question 2. Drug of choice for status epilepticus?
Correct Answer: B. Diazepam
Explanation: Diazepam is a rapidly acting benzodiazepine used as the initial treatment for status epilepticus. Lorazepam is also widely recommended because of its longer duration of action.
Question 3. Which drug is used in Myasthenia Gravis?
Correct Answer: A. Neostigmine
Explanation: Neostigmine inhibits acetylcholinesterase, increasing acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction and improving muscle strength in patients with Myasthenia Gravis.
Question 4. Which of the following is a thiazide diuretic?
Correct Answer: B. Hydrochlorothiazide
Explanation: Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic commonly prescribed for hypertension and mild edema. It acts on the distal convoluted tubule to inhibit sodium and chloride reabsorption.
Question 5. Which drug is used for treatment of angina?
Correct Answer: D. All of the above
Explanation: Glyceryl trinitrate provides rapid relief of angina, while beta-blockers such as propranolol and calcium channel blockers such as nifedipine are also used depending on the patient’s clinical condition.
Question 6. Which drug is an H2 receptor antagonist?
Correct Answer: B. Ranitidine
Explanation: Ranitidine blocks histamine H2 receptors in gastric parietal cells, reducing acid secretion. Although its use has been restricted in many countries because of NDMA contamination concerns, it remains a common pharmacology exam question.
Question 7. Drug of choice for Parkinson’s disease?
Correct Answer: A. Levodopa
Explanation: Levodopa is converted into dopamine in the brain and remains the most effective drug for improving the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. It is usually combined with carbidopa.
Question 8. Which antibiotic inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis?
Correct Answer: B. Penicillin
Explanation: Penicillins inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis by blocking peptidoglycan cross-linking, leading to bacterial cell death.
Question 9. Which drug is used in bronchial asthma?
Correct Answer: D. All of the above
Explanation: Salbutamol is a short-acting bronchodilator, Theophylline is a methylxanthine bronchodilator, and Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist. All have roles in asthma management.
Question 10. Which drug is a potassium-sparing diuretic?
Correct Answer: A. Amiloride
Explanation: Amiloride acts on the collecting ducts by blocking epithelial sodium channels, reducing sodium reabsorption while conserving potassium.
Question 11. Which of the following is a local anesthetic?
Correct Answer: A. Lidocaine
Explanation: Lidocaine (Lignocaine) is a commonly used amide-type local anesthetic. It blocks voltage-gated sodium channels, preventing nerve impulse conduction and producing reversible loss of sensation.
Question 12. Drug of choice for hypertension during pregnancy is:
Correct Answer: C. Methyldopa
Explanation: Methyldopa is a centrally acting α2-adrenergic agonist and has been widely used for managing hypertension during pregnancy because of its established safety profile.
Question 13. Which drug is an anticholinergic agent?
Correct Answer: A. Atropine
Explanation: Atropine is a competitive muscarinic receptor antagonist. It is used for symptomatic bradycardia, as a pre-anesthetic medication, and in organophosphate poisoning.
Question 14. Which of the following is a first-line anti-tubercular drug?
Correct Answer: A. Isoniazid
Explanation: Isoniazid (INH) is one of the first-line anti-tubercular drugs. Standard first-line therapy includes Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Pyrazinamide and Ethambutol.
Question 15. Which drug belongs to the Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) class?
Correct Answer: A. Omeprazole
Explanation: Omeprazole irreversibly inhibits the H+/K+-ATPase pump in gastric parietal cells, resulting in marked suppression of gastric acid secretion.
Question 16. Which of the following is a non-selective beta blocker?
Correct Answer: A. Propranolol
Explanation: Propranolol blocks both β1 and β2 receptors. It is commonly used in hypertension, angina, arrhythmias, migraine prophylaxis and essential tremor.
Question 17. Which of the following is an opioid analgesic?
Correct Answer: A. Tramadol
Explanation: Tramadol is a centrally acting opioid analgesic used for the treatment of moderate to moderately severe pain.
Question 18. Which drug is commonly used in Heart Failure?
Correct Answer: D. All of the above
Explanation: Digoxin may improve symptoms in selected patients, while ACE inhibitors such as Enalapril and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists such as Spironolactone improve outcomes in appropriate patients with heart failure.
Question 19. Which drug is contraindicated in angle-closure glaucoma?
Correct Answer: A. Atropine
Explanation: Atropine causes mydriasis and can increase intraocular pressure, potentially precipitating acute angle-closure glaucoma. Therefore, it is contraindicated in such patients.
Question 20. Which of the following is a third-generation cephalosporin?
Correct Answer: B. Ceftriaxone
Explanation: Ceftriaxone is a third-generation cephalosporin with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. It is widely used for meningitis, pneumonia, gonorrhea and serious bacterial infections.
Important Revision Points
- Selective COX-2 inhibitor → Celecoxib
- Status Epilepticus → Diazepam / Lorazepam
- Myasthenia Gravis → Neostigmine
- Thiazide Diuretic → Hydrochlorothiazide
- H2 Blocker → Ranitidine (Common exam question)
- Parkinson’s Disease → Levodopa + Carbidopa
- Cell Wall Inhibitor → Penicillin
- Potassium Sparing Diuretic → Amiloride
- Hypertension in Pregnancy → Methyldopa
- PPI → Omeprazole
- Non-selective Beta Blocker → Propranolol
- Opioid Analgesic → Tramadol
- First-line Anti-TB Drug → Isoniazid
- Third-generation Cephalosporin → Ceftriaxone