Common disorders of special senses MCQs With Answer

Introduction

This set of MCQs on “Common disorders of special senses” is designed for B.Pharm students to reinforce knowledge of ophthalmic and otologic conditions, diagnostics, and pharmacotherapy. It covers key topics such as glaucoma, conjunctivitis, cataract, age-related macular degeneration, otitis media, Meniere’s disease, sensorineural and conductive hearing loss, and drug-induced ototoxicity. Questions emphasize mechanism of disease, therapeutic agents, dosing considerations, adverse effects, drug interactions, and monitoring—essential for safe medication use in sensory disorders. Focused practice helps build clinical reasoning and exam readiness for pharmacy coursework and pharmacy practice. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. Which class of drugs is first-line for lowering intraocular pressure in primary open-angle glaucoma?

• Topical beta-blockers (e.g., timolol)
• Systemic carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (e.g., acetazolamide)
• Topical corticosteroids
• Topical antibiotics

Correct Answer: Topical beta-blockers (e.g., timolol)

Q2. Which adverse effect is most associated with long-term topical ocular corticosteroid use?

• Increased intraocular pressure leading to glaucoma
• Dry eye syndrome
• Bacterial conjunctivitis
• Punctate keratitis from preservatives

Correct Answer: Increased intraocular pressure leading to glaucoma

Q3. Which drug is an anti-VEGF agent used intravitreally for neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration?

• Ranibizumab
• Dorzolamide
• Timolol
• Betahistine

Correct Answer: Ranibizumab

Q4. A patient on gentamicin develops tinnitus and high-frequency hearing loss. This is most consistent with which toxicity?

• Ototoxicity affecting outer hair cells (cochlear toxicity)
• Vestibular toxicity only
• Allergic otitis externa
• Conductive hearing loss from cerumen

Correct Answer: Ototoxicity affecting outer hair cells (cochlear toxicity)

Q5. Which diagnostic test differentiates conductive from sensorineural hearing loss?

• Rinne and Weber tuning fork tests
• Electroretinography
• Slit-lamp examination
• Tonometry

Correct Answer: Rinne and Weber tuning fork tests

Q6. Which topical agent is indicated for allergic conjunctivitis acting as a mast cell stabilizer/antihistamine?

• Olopatadine
• Ciprofloxacin eye drops
• Brimonidine
• Acetazolamide

Correct Answer: Olopatadine

Q7. What is the principal mechanism of action of prostaglandin analogs (e.g., latanoprost) in glaucoma?

• Increase uveoscleral outflow of aqueous humor
• Decrease aqueous humor production by ciliary body
• Constrict pupil to improve trabecular outflow
• Reduce inflammation in the anterior chamber

Correct Answer: Increase uveoscleral outflow of aqueous humor

Q8. Which systemic drug is classically associated with reversible hearing loss and tinnitus when given in high doses?

• Loop diuretics (e.g., furosemide)
• Beta-lactam antibiotics (e.g., amoxicillin)
• ACE inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril)
• Statins (e.g., atorvastatin)

Correct Answer: Loop diuretics (e.g., furosemide)

Q9. In acute otitis media, which antibiotic is first-line in many guidelines when indicated?

• Amoxicillin
• Gentamicin ear drops
• Azithromycin nebulizer
• Topical mupirocin

Correct Answer: Amoxicillin

Q10. Which finding is characteristic of Meniere’s disease?

• Triad of episodic vertigo, tinnitus, and fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss
• Continuous conductive hearing loss with otorrhea
• Painful external ear swelling
• Acute painless vision loss

Correct Answer: Triad of episodic vertigo, tinnitus, and fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss

Q11. Which medication is commonly used as a vestibular suppressant in acute vertigo?

• Meclizine (an antihistamine)
• Acetazolamide
• Latanoprost
• Mupirocin

Correct Answer: Meclizine (an antihistamine)

Q12. Which topical ocular antibiotic is a fluoroquinolone commonly used for bacterial keratitis?

• Ciprofloxacin eye drops
• Timolol eye drops
• Betaxolol eye drops
• Fluorometholone eye drops

Correct Answer: Ciprofloxacin eye drops

Q13. What is the main contraindication for using prostaglandin analogs in eye therapy?

• Active intraocular inflammation (they may exacerbate inflammation)
• Systemic hypertension
• History of cataract surgery decades ago
• Otitis externa

Correct Answer: Active intraocular inflammation (they may exacerbate inflammation)

Q14. Which device/test provides objective measurement of intraocular pressure?

• Tonometry (e.g., Goldmann applanation)
• Audiometry
• Otoscopy
• Slit-lamp examination

Correct Answer: Tonometry (e.g., Goldmann applanation)

Q15. Which antihistamine is used systemically to manage vertigo associated with vestibular disorders?

• Promethazine
• Propranolol
• Acetylcysteine
• Brimonidine

Correct Answer: Promethazine

Q16. Which condition is most likely if a patient presents with sudden painless monocular vision loss?

• Central retinal artery occlusion
• Acute otitis media
• Meniere’s disease
• Chronic open-angle glaucoma

Correct Answer: Central retinal artery occlusion

Q17. Which class of drugs used in glaucoma can cause systemic bronchospasm and is used cautiously in asthma?

• Topical beta-blockers (e.g., timolol)
• Topical prostaglandin analogs
• Topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
• Topical mydriatics

Correct Answer: Topical beta-blockers (e.g., timolol)

Q18. Which is a recommended non-pharmacologic management for acute otitis externa?

• Keep the ear dry and avoid water exposure
• Systemic corticosteroids for a week
• Oral antivirals
• Immediate tympanostomy tube insertion

Correct Answer: Keep the ear dry and avoid water exposure

Q19. Which ocular condition is associated with risk factors like UV exposure, diabetes, and long-term corticosteroid use?

• Cataract formation
• Otitis media with effusion
• Meniere’s disease
• Acoustic neuroma

Correct Answer: Cataract formation

Q20. Which drug class reduces aqueous humor formation by inhibiting carbonic anhydrase in the ciliary epithelium?

• Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (e.g., dorzolamide)
• Prostaglandin analogs
• Mydriatics
• Topical antihistamines

Correct Answer: Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (e.g., dorzolamide)

Q21. Which finding on otoscopy suggests tympanic membrane perforation?

• Visible hole or depression in tympanic membrane and possible ear discharge
• Cherry-red reflex
• Corneal ulcer
• Proptosis

Correct Answer: Visible hole or depression in tympanic membrane and possible ear discharge

Q22. Which antibiotic is contraindicated for topical ocular use due to potential severe corneal toxicity?

• Topical aminoglycosides in prolonged use (e.g., neomycin in allergic patients)
• Topical fluoroquinolones
• Topical macrolides
• Topical sulfonamides

Correct Answer: Topical aminoglycosides in prolonged use (e.g., neomycin in allergic patients)

Q23. Which medication is sometimes used to reduce endolymphatic pressure in Meniere’s disease?

• Thiazide diuretics (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide)
• Topical beta-blockers
• Oral macrolides
• Intravitreal corticosteroids

Correct Answer: Thiazide diuretics (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide)

Q24. Which ophthalmic sign indicates diabetic retinopathy progression to proliferative stage?

• Neovascularization on fundoscopic exam
• Conjunctival injection
• Opaque cornea
• Exophthalmos

Correct Answer: Neovascularization on fundoscopic exam

Q25. Which is the most appropriate initial pharmacologic treatment for acute symptomatic allergic conjunctivitis?

• Topical antihistamine/mast cell stabilizer drops (e.g., olopatadine)
• Topical antibiotic-steroid combination as first-line
• Systemic beta-blocker
• Intravitreal anti-VEGF

Correct Answer: Topical antihistamine/mast cell stabilizer drops (e.g., olopatadine)

Q26. Which condition often presents with painless progressive peripheral vision loss due to optic nerve damage?

• Chronic open-angle glaucoma
• Acute angle-closure glaucoma
• Otitis media
• Meniere’s disease

Correct Answer: Chronic open-angle glaucoma

Q27. Which systemic medication class increases risk of cataract formation with long-term use?

• Systemic corticosteroids
• Antihistamines
• Loop diuretics
• Statins

Correct Answer: Systemic corticosteroids

Q28. Which ocular emergency is characterized by severe eye pain, mid-dilated fixed pupil, corneal edema, and markedly elevated intraocular pressure?

• Acute angle-closure glaucoma
• Viral conjunctivitis
• Bacterial otitis externa
• Retinal detachment

Correct Answer: Acute angle-closure glaucoma

Q29. Which monitoring parameter is most important when prescribing systemic aminoglycosides due to ototoxic risk?

• Baseline and periodic audiometry
• Daily blood glucose
• Serum cholesterol
• Urine output only

Correct Answer: Baseline and periodic audiometry

Q30. Which statement about topical ocular preservatives (e.g., benzalkonium chloride) is correct?

• They can cause surface toxicity and worsen dry eye with chronic use
• They prevent systemic absorption of drugs
• They have no effect on contact lens wearers
• They enhance intraocular penetration of macromolecules without harm

Correct Answer: They can cause surface toxicity and worsen dry eye with chronic use

G S Sachin

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