All Free Nursing Pharmacology MCQs with Answers

• A. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths per minute
• B. Mild nausea after the injection
• C. Pain score decreasing from 8 to 5
• D. Slight drowsiness while resting

Explanation: A respiratory rate of 8 suggests opioid-induced respiratory depression, which threatens breathing and requires immediate assessment and…

• A. Naloxone
• B. Flumazenil
• C. Atropine
• D. Protamine

Explanation: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that rapidly reverses opioid-related respiratory and central nervous system depression.

• A. Serotonin syndrome
• B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
• C. Opioid withdrawal
• D. Anticholinergic toxicity

Explanation: The combination of mental status change, autonomic stimulation, gastrointestinal symptoms and neuromuscular activity suggests serotonin…

• A. Rise slowly from sitting or lying positions
• B. Stop the medicine when pain first improves
• C. Take extra tablets for sudden severe pain
• D. Expect increased saliva after each dose

Explanation: Amitriptyline can cause postural hypotension, so rising slowly helps prevent dizziness and falls.

• A. Tingling around the mouth and ringing in the ears
• B. Mild warmth at the injection site
• C. Reduced sensation around the wound
• D. Temporary inability to feel pain

Explanation: Perioral tingling and tinnitus are early neurological signs of systemic local anaesthetic toxicity and should be reported promptly.

• A. I will avoid alcohol while taking this medicine
• B. I can drive safely if I feel slightly sleepy
• C. I should stop it suddenly after long-term use
• D. I can take extra doses for faster anxiety relief

Explanation: Alcohol and diazepam have additive central nervous system depressant effects and may cause dangerous sedation and respiratory depression.

• A. Report the acute dystonic reaction promptly
• B. Encourage the patient to walk in the corridor
• C. Give the next dose with an antacid
• D. Place the patient in a dark quiet room

Explanation: Acute dystonia is an extrapyramidal reaction caused by dopamine blockade and may affect the neck or airway muscles.

• A. Analgesia reduces pain, while sedation reduces alertness
• B. Analgesia causes unconsciousness, while sedation removes pain
• C. Analgesia prevents all movement, while sedation lowers fever
• D. Analgesia produces paralysis, while sedation blocks nerve growth

Explanation: Analgesia is relief of pain, whereas sedation decreases alertness and anxiety without necessarily removing pain.

• A. Protect the airway and call for emergency help
• B. Place a spoon between the patient's teeth
• C. Restrain the arms and legs firmly
• D. Offer water after the seizure begins

Explanation: A prolonged seizure threatens airway, breathing and circulation, so the nurse protects the airway, removes hazards and obtains emergency…

• A. Report the dyskinesia for medication review
• B. Tell the patient to stop levodopa immediately
• C. Explain that the movement proves the disease is cured
• D. Give an additional dose to suppress the movement

Explanation: Involuntary writhing movements can be levodopa-related dyskinesias and require assessment and possible dose or timing adjustment by the…

• A. Flumazenil
• B. N-acetylcysteine
• C. Naloxone
• D. Protamine sulfate

Explanation: N-acetylcysteine replenishes hepatic glutathione and reduces liver injury after paracetamol overdose.

• A. Mild daytime drowsiness
• B. Black, tarry stools
• C. Increased appetite
• D. Clear nasal discharge

Explanation: Black, tarry stools may indicate upper gastrointestinal bleeding, a serious adverse effect of NSAIDs.

• A. They block voltage-gated sodium channels
• B. They increase dopamine release in the brain
• C. They stimulate opioid receptors in the spinal cord
• D. They inhibit acetylcholinesterase at synapses

Explanation: Local anaesthetics block voltage-gated sodium channels and prevent action potential transmission in sensory nerves.

• A. It produces analgesia without affecting alertness
• B. It reduces anxiety and causes central nervous system depression
• C. It causes general anaesthesia with complete unconsciousness
• D. It increases alertness by stimulating the cerebral cortex

Explanation: Benzodiazepines enhance the effect of GABA and produce anxiolysis, sedation, muscle relaxation and anticonvulsant effects.

• A. Fresh apples
• B. Aged cheese
• C. Boiled rice
• D. Steamed carrots

Explanation: Aged cheese contains high levels of tyramine, which can cause a hypertensive reaction with monoamine oxidase inhibitors.

• A. Mood usually improves after the first dose
• B. The full antidepressant effect may take several weeks
• C. The medicine works only when taken during sadness
• D. The medicine should be stopped once sleep improves

Explanation: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors usually require several weeks for their full antidepressant effect.

• A. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
• B. Tardive dyskinesia
• C. Acute panic attack
• D. Simple medication tolerance

Explanation: Fever, severe rigidity, altered consciousness and autonomic instability suggest neuroleptic malignant syndrome, which is a medical…

• A. Give the next dose with food
• B. Report the symptoms promptly for assessment
• C. Encourage strenuous exercise
• D. Reassure the patient that this is harmless

Explanation: Severe abdominal pain and vomiting may indicate acute pancreatitis, a serious adverse effect of sodium valproate.

• A. Possible blood dyscrasia
• B. Expected improvement in appetite
• C. Mild opioid withdrawal
• D. Normal therapeutic response

Explanation: Fever, sore throat and mouth ulcers may indicate leukopenia or agranulocytosis, which can occur with carbamazepine.

• A. It blocks dopamine receptors in the basal ganglia
• B. It reduces peripheral conversion of levodopa to dopamine
• C. It prevents all involuntary movements caused by levodopa
• D. It directly replaces acetylcholine in skeletal muscle

Explanation: Carbidopa inhibits peripheral conversion of levodopa to dopamine, allowing more levodopa to reach the brain and reducing peripheral…