MCQ Quiz: Top 200 Drugs

A foundational knowledge of the most commonly prescribed medications is essential for every student pharmacist. As required by the Patient Care I curriculum “, students are expected to know the brand name, generic name, pharmacologic class, and common indications for drugs on the “Top 200” list. This core knowledge is vital for success in coursework, on experiential rotations, and ultimately for the NAPLEX. This quiz will test your ability to recall and associate these key pieces of drug information.

1. What is the brand name for atorvastatin?

• a. Zocor
• b. Crestor
• c. Lipitor
• d. Pravachol

Answer: c. Lipitor

2. Lisinopril is a commonly prescribed medication for hypertension that belongs to which drug class?

• a. Beta-blocker
• b. ACE Inhibitor
• c. Calcium Channel Blocker
• d. Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker

Answer: b. ACE Inhibitor

3. Levothyroxine (Synthroid) is used to treat:

• a. Hyperthyroidism
• b. Hypothyroidism
• c. Diabetes
• d. Gout

Answer: b. Hypothyroidism

4. What is the generic name for Norvasc?

• a. Amlodipine
• b. Losartan
• c. Diltiazem
• d. Verapamil

Answer: a. Amlodipine

5. Metformin is the first-line oral medication for which condition?

• a. Hypertension
• b. Type 2 Diabetes
• c. Gout
• d. Hyperlipidemia

Answer: b. Type 2 Diabetes

6. The management of cardiovascular diseases and their medications is a key topic in the Patient Care 3 curriculum.

• a. True
• b. False

Answer: a. True

7. Albuterol (ProAir HFA, Ventolin HFA) is a short-acting beta-2 agonist used for:

• a. Controlling high blood pressure.
• b. Relieving acute bronchospasm in asthma.
• c. Treating bacterial infections.
• d. Lowering cholesterol.

Answer: b. Relieving acute bronchospasm in asthma.

8. Omeprazole (Prilosec) belongs to which drug class?

• a. H2-Receptor Antagonist
• b. Antacid
• c. Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI)
• d. Prokinetic agent

Answer: c. Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI)

9. What is the generic name for Zoloft?

• a. Fluoxetine
• b. Citalopram
• c. Escitalopram
• d. Sertraline

Answer: d. Sertraline

10. Losartan (Cozaar) works by blocking which receptor?

• a. Angiotensin II Receptor
• b. Beta-1 Receptor
• c. Alpha-1 Receptor
• d. Calcium Channel

Answer: a. Angiotensin II Receptor

11. The management of GI disorders like GERD is a topic within the Patient Care 4 curriculum.

• a. True
• b. False

Answer: a. True

12. Gabapentin (Neurontin) is classified as an anticonvulsant but is most commonly used for:

• a. Hypertension
• b. Neuropathic pain
• c. Gout
• d. High cholesterol

Answer: b. Neuropathic pain

13. The combination product hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Norco) is what schedule of controlled substance?

• a. Schedule V
• b. Schedule IV
• c. Schedule III
• d. Schedule II

Answer: d. Schedule II

14. Furosemide (Lasix) is a potent diuretic that works in which part of the nephron?

• a. The proximal tubule
• b. The thick ascending limb of the Loop of Henle
• c. The distal convoluted tubule
• d. The collecting duct

Answer: b. The thick ascending limb of the Loop of Henle

15. Amoxicillin belongs to which class of antibiotics?

• a. Macrolide
• b. Tetracycline
• c. Penicillin
• d. Fluoroquinolone

Answer: c. Penicillin

16. The management of endocrine disorders like diabetes and hypothyroidism is a topic in the Patient Care 5 curriculum.

• a. True
• b. False

Answer: a. True

17. What is the brand name for the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, rosuvastatin?

• a. Lipitor
• b. Zocor
• c. Crestor
• d. Mevacor

Answer: c. Crestor

18. Tamsulosin (Flomax) is a selective alpha-1 antagonist used to treat:

• a. Hypertension
• b. Erectile dysfunction
• c. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
• d. Gout

Answer: c. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

19. What is the primary indication for clopidogrel (Plavix)?

• a. Pain relief
• b. Antiplatelet therapy to prevent blood clots.
• c. Lowering cholesterol.
• d. Treating infections.

Answer: b. Antiplatelet therapy to prevent blood clots.

20. The management of pain is a topic within the Patient Care 3 curriculum.

• a. True
• b. False

Answer: a. True

21. What is the generic name for the antidepressant Cymbalta?

• a. Venlafaxine
• b. Duloxetine
• c. Escitalopram
• d. Bupropion

Answer: b. Duloxetine

22. Prednisone is a corticosteroid used for its ____ effects.

• a. analgesic
• b. anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive
• c. antibacterial
• d. antihypertensive

Answer: b. anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive

23. The management of infectious diseases is a core topic in the Patient Care 2 curriculum.

• a. True
• b. False

Answer: a. True

24. An active learning session on the Top 200 Drugs is a likely component of which course?

• a. PHA5781 Patient Care I
• b. PHA5163L Professional Skills Lab 3
• c. PHA5784C Patient Care 4
• d. PHA5782C Patient Care 2

Answer: a. PHA5781 Patient Care I

25. Warfarin (Coumadin) is an anticoagulant that works by inhibiting:

• a. Factor Xa
• b. Thrombin
• c. Vitamin K epoxide reductase
• d. Platelet aggregation

Answer: c. Vitamin K epoxide reductase

26. Alprazolam (Xanax) belongs to which drug class?

• a. SSRI
• b. Benzodiazepine
• c. Antipsychotic
• d. Barbiturate

Answer: b. Benzodiazepine

27. What is the common indication for montelukast (Singulair)?

• a. Acute asthma attack
• b. Allergic rhinitis and asthma maintenance
• c. COPD exacerbation
• d. Seasonal allergies only

Answer: b. Allergic rhinitis and asthma maintenance

28. An active learning session on urological disorders is part of which course?

• a. PHA5787C Patient Care 5
• b. PHA5163L Professional Skills Lab 3
• c. PHA5781 Patient Care I
• d. PHA5782C Patient Care 2

Answer: a. PHA5787C Patient Care 5

29. The combination product fluticasone/salmeterol (Advair) contains an inhaled corticosteroid and a(n):

• a. Short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA)
• b. Long-acting beta-2 agonist (LABA)
• c. Long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA)
• d. Leukotriene receptor antagonist

Answer: b. Long-acting beta-2 agonist (LABA)

30. The “Top 200 Drugs List” is an appendix in the Patient Care I syllabus.

• a. True
• b. False

Answer: a. True

31. What is the generic name for Lipitor?

• a. Simvastatin
• b. Pravastatin
• c. Rosuvastatin
• d. Atorvastatin

Answer: d. Atorvastatin

32. Zolpidem (Ambien) is used for the short-term treatment of:

• a. Anxiety
• b. Pain
• c. Insomnia
• d. Depression

Answer: c. Insomnia

33. The principles of oncology, including chemotherapy agents, are covered in the Patient Care 2 curriculum.

• a. True
• b. False

Answer: a. True

34. Which of the following is a loop diuretic?

• a. Hydrochlorothiazide
• b. Spironolactone
• c. Furosemide
• d. Metolazone

Answer: c. Furosemide

35. A patient taking an ACE inhibitor like lisinopril should be monitored for what common side effect?

• a. A dry, hacking cough
• b. Tachycardia
• c. Weight gain
• d. Sedation

Answer: a. A dry, hacking cough

36. A key part of the “Introduction to Patient Care” course is learning the foundational drugs.

• a. True
• b. False

Answer: a. True

37. What is the generic name for the PPI, Nexium?

• a. Omeprazole
• b. Lansoprazole
• c. Pantoprazole
• d. Esomeprazole

Answer: d. Esomeprazole

38. The management of pulmonary diseases is a topic in the Patient Care 3 curriculum.

• a. True
• b. False

Answer: a. True

39. Sertraline (Zoloft) belongs to which class of antidepressants?

• a. Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA)
• b. Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI)
• c. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)
• d. Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (SNRI)

Answer: c. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)

40. An active learning session covering top prescribed drugs is part of which course?

• a. PHA5781 Patient Care I
• b. PHA5163L Professional Skills Lab 3
• c. PHA5784C Patient Care 4
• d. PHA5782C Patient Care 2

Answer: a. PHA5781 Patient Care I

41. Hydrochlorothiazide is what type of diuretic?

• a. Loop
• b. Potassium-sparing
• c. Thiazide
• d. Osmotic

Answer: c. Thiazide

42. Which of the following is an antiplatelet agent?

• a. Warfarin
• b. Rivaroxaban
• c. Clopidogrel
• d. Heparin

Answer: c. Clopidogrel

43. A pharmacist’s foundational knowledge must include the Top 200 drugs.

• a. True
• b. False

Answer: a. True

44. What is the pharmacologic class of metoprolol?

• a. ACE Inhibitor
• b. Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker
• c. Beta-blocker
• d. Calcium Channel Blocker

Answer: c. Beta-blocker

45. What is the common indication for allopurinol?

• a. Acute pain
• b. Gout prophylaxis
• c. Hypertension
• d. Depression

Answer: b. Gout prophylaxis

46. Sildenafil (Viagra) is used to treat erectile dysfunction and belongs to which drug class?

• a. Alpha-blocker
• b. Vasodilator
• c. PDE-5 inhibitor
• d. Beta-agonist

Answer: c. PDE-5 inhibitor

47. The curriculum requires students to know the brand name, generic name, pharmacologic class, and common indications of the Top 200 drugs.

• a. True
• b. False

Answer: a. True

48. An active learning session on Top 200 drugs is part of which course module?

• a. The Patient Care I course, as per its Appendix A.
• b. The Diabetes Mellitus Module
• c. The Women’s Health Module
• d. The Geriatrics Module

Answer: a. The Patient Care I course, as per its Appendix A.

49. The overall goal of learning the Top 200 drugs is to:

• a. Pass a single exam.
• b. Build a foundational knowledge base for understanding pharmacotherapy throughout the rest of the curriculum and in practice.
• c. Be able to dispense prescriptions faster.
• d. Memorize a list of names.

Answer: b. Build a foundational knowledge base for understanding pharmacotherapy throughout the rest of the curriculum and in practice.

50. The ultimate reason to master the Top 200 drugs is to:

• a. Ensure safe and effective medication use for the most common therapies patients will receive.
• b. Be able to name every drug on the market.
• c. Pass the NAPLEX.
• d. Both a and c.

Answer: d. Both a and c.