Introduction: Computerized drug information services MCQs With Answer are essential study tools for B. Pharm students learning drug information retrieval, clinical decision support, pharmacovigilance, and evidence-based medicine. These services integrate drug databases, monographs, interaction checkers, regulatory alerts, and bibliographic resources to provide accurate drug information, dosing, contraindications, and adverse drug reaction data. Familiarity with major databases (Micromedex, Lexicomp, PubMed, DrugBank), search strategies (MeSH, Boolean operators), and interpretation of drug interaction severity improves clinical judgment and patient safety. Mastery of computerized drug information enhances skills in medication counseling, formulary decisions, and reporting ADRs. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. What is the primary purpose of computerized drug information services?
- To replace pharmacists in dispensing medications
- To provide accurate, evidence-based drug information for clinical decision making
- To manufacture generic drugs
- To monitor hospital inventory only
Correct Answer: To provide accurate, evidence-based drug information for clinical decision making
Q2. Which of the following is a tertiary drug information resource commonly used in computerized services?
- Randomized controlled trial report
- Systematic review
- Drug monograph or textbook
- Case report
Correct Answer: Drug monograph or textbook
Q3. Which commercial database is known for comprehensive drug monographs, interaction checking, and IV compatibility data?
- PubMed
- Micromedex
- Google Scholar
- ClinicalTrials.gov
Correct Answer: Micromedex
Q4. Which open-access resource is best for searching biomedical literature and indexing using MeSH terms?
- DrugBank
- Lexicomp
- PubMed
- Micromedex
Correct Answer: PubMed
Q5. What search technique uses AND, OR, NOT to refine computerized literature searches?
- Truncation
- MeSH explosion
- Boolean operators
- Citation chaining
Correct Answer: Boolean operators
Q6. Which classification system is used for anatomical therapeutic chemical grouping of drugs?
- RxNorm
- ATC
- ICD-10
- MeSH
Correct Answer: ATC
Q7. In computerized interaction checkers, an interaction labeled “major” usually means:
- No clinical significance
- Requires monitoring only
- May be life-threatening or require intervention
- Beneficial synergistic effect
Correct Answer: May be life-threatening or require intervention
Q8. Which of the following is a primary source of drug safety alerts and regulatory actions?
- FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration)
- Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients
- Textbook of Pharmacology
- Drug monograph summary only
Correct Answer: FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration)
Q9. Which tool helps standardize drug names and supports interoperability in computerized systems?
- MeSH
- RxNorm
- ICD-10
- ATC
Correct Answer: RxNorm
Q10. When answering a patient-specific drug information query, what is the first step in the computerized DI service workflow?
- Provide an immediate recommendation without verification
- Collect and clarify relevant patient-specific information
- Search multiple databases at random
- Report to regulatory agency
Correct Answer: Collect and clarify relevant patient-specific information
Q11. Which evidence hierarchy level represents the highest-quality evidence for therapy questions?
- Expert opinion
- Randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews of RCTs
- Case series
- Animal studies
Correct Answer: Randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews of RCTs
Q12. What is the main purpose of clinical decision support (CDS) tools in computerized drug information services?
- To automate billing procedures
- To provide alerts, dosing guidance, and interaction warnings to improve patient safety
- To manufacture drugs
- To write prescriptions autonomously
Correct Answer: To provide alerts, dosing guidance, and interaction warnings to improve patient safety
Q13. Which term describes literature that summarizes and synthesizes primary research studies?
- Tertiary literature
- Primary literature
- Secondary literature (systematic reviews)
- Raw clinical data
Correct Answer: Secondary literature (systematic reviews)
Q14. Which standardized causality assessment tool is commonly used for adverse drug reactions?
- Beers Criteria
- Naranjo algorithm
- APACHE II
- Glasgow Coma Scale
Correct Answer: Naranjo algorithm
Q15. What is a potential downside of excessive computerized alerting in drug information systems?
- Improved accuracy of all alerts
- Alert fatigue leading to ignored warnings
- Elimination of all adverse drug events
- Increased drug production
Correct Answer: Alert fatigue leading to ignored warnings
Q16. Which resource provides chemical, pharmacological and pharmaceutical data and is useful in computerized DI services for molecular details?
- Clinical practice guideline
- DrugBank
- Formulary list only
- Hospital billing manual
Correct Answer: DrugBank
Q17. For pediatric dosing, which approach is most appropriate when using computerized calculators?
- Use adult fixed doses scaled arbitrarily
- Use weight-based or body surface area calculations with age-appropriate references
- Use only manufacturer adult dosing recommendations
- Exclude all off-label pediatric uses
Correct Answer: Use weight-based or body surface area calculations with age-appropriate references
Q18. Which standard is increasingly used to exchange clinical drug information between systems?
- FTP
- HL7 FHIR
- SMTP
- HTTP only
Correct Answer: HL7 FHIR
Q19. When evaluating a research article retrieved from a computerized search, which item is most important to assess study validity?
- Number of references cited
- Study design and risk of bias
- Journal cover color
- Author affiliation only
Correct Answer: Study design and risk of bias
Q20. Which type of literature would you consult for current clinical trial registrations and ongoing research?
- Textbook chapter
- ClinicalTrials.gov
- Drug monograph only
- Historical case reports
Correct Answer: ClinicalTrials.gov
Q21. What information does a typical drug monograph include?
- Indications, dosage, pharmacokinetics, adverse effects, interactions
- Only chemical synthesis steps
- Only pricing and marketing data
- Only patient testimonials
Correct Answer: Indications, dosage, pharmacokinetics, adverse effects, interactions
Q22. Which is the best practice for maintaining accuracy in computerized drug information services?
- Rely solely on one outdated textbook
- Regularly update databases and verify information against primary literature
- Never check original sources
- Ignore manufacturer updates
Correct Answer: Regularly update databases and verify information against primary literature
Q23. In drug information searching, what does using MeSH terms improve?
- Precision and retrieval of indexed biomedical articles
- Manufacturing yield
- Dosage manufacturing calculations
- Hospital procurement
Correct Answer: Precision and retrieval of indexed biomedical articles
Q24. Which computerized resource is most appropriate for checking international nonproprietary names, synonyms and dosing information across regions?
- Local newspaper
- WHO and national drug regulatory databases
- Social media posts only
- Unverified blogs
Correct Answer: WHO and national drug regulatory databases
Q25. What is a key component of documentation when responding to a drug information query?
- Noting only the final answer without sources
- Recording the question, search strategy, sources consulted, and recommended conclusion
- Deleting search history immediately
- Sharing patient identifiers on public forums
Correct Answer: Recording the question, search strategy, sources consulted, and recommended conclusion
Q26. Which algorithm is used to grade the quality of evidence and strength of recommendations in many guidelines?
- APACHE
- GRADE
- Framingham score
- Glasgow Outcome Scale
Correct Answer: GRADE
Q27. If a computerized database reports a potential drug interaction, what is an appropriate next step?
- Immediately stop all medications without review
- Assess clinical relevance, mechanism, patient factors, and consult primary literature before recommending action
- Ignore the alert completely
- Inform the patient to continue and increase dose
Correct Answer: Assess clinical relevance, mechanism, patient factors, and consult primary literature before recommending action
Q28. Which source is most appropriate for compounding formulas and stability data in a computerized DI service?
- Compounding reference like USP or Trissel’s Stability of Compounded Formulations
- General news articles
- Random internet forums
- Old patient leaflets only
Correct Answer: Compounding reference like USP or Trissel’s Stability of Compounded Formulations
Q29. Which parameter is essential to evaluate when using computerized sources for pharmacokinetic dosing adjustments in renal impairment?
- Patient hair color
- Creatinine clearance or estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)
- Hospital room number
- Brand logo
Correct Answer: Creatinine clearance or estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)
Q30. What ethical consideration must computerized drug information services always follow when handling patient-specific queries?
- Publish patient details on social media for crowd advice
- Maintain patient confidentiality and secure storage of identifiers
- Share data freely with vendors without consent
- Use unsecured email to send patient records
Correct Answer: Maintain patient confidentiality and secure storage of identifiers
I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.
Mail- Sachin@pharmacyfreak.com