Q.1 Which of the following drugs is commonly used as an anticonvulsant?
Diazepam
Aspirin
Ibuprofen
Paracetamol
Explanation - Diazepam is a benzodiazepine commonly used to treat seizures and anxiety. It acts as a central nervous system depressant.
Correct answer is: Diazepam
Q.2 What is the mechanism of action of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?
Inhibit serotonin reuptake
Inhibit dopamine reuptake
Block acetylcholine receptors
Increase GABA production
Explanation - SSRIs work by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin, thereby increasing serotonin levels in the brain and improving mood.
Correct answer is: Inhibit serotonin reuptake
Q.3 Which of the following is a common side effect of opioids?
Insomnia
Euphoria
Sedation
Hypertension
Explanation - Opioids can cause central nervous system depression, leading to sedation, drowsiness, and sometimes respiratory depression.
Correct answer is: Sedation
Q.4 Which drug is commonly prescribed for Parkinson's disease?
Levodopa
Aspirin
Ibuprofen
Caffeine
Explanation - Levodopa is converted into dopamine in the brain, helping alleviate symptoms of Parkinson's disease by replenishing dopamine levels.
Correct answer is: Levodopa
Q.5 Which of the following is an example of a non-benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotic?
Diazepam
Zolpidem
Chlordiazepoxide
Lorazepam
Explanation - Zolpidem is a non-benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotic used to treat insomnia by targeting GABA receptors.
Correct answer is: Zolpidem
Q.6 Which class of drugs is commonly used to treat anxiety disorders?
Antipsychotics
Antidepressants
Benzodiazepines
Antihistamines
Explanation - Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam, are frequently prescribed for short-term relief of anxiety due to their anxiolytic effects.
Correct answer is: Benzodiazepines
Q.7 Which neurotransmitter is primarily targeted by drugs used to treat depression?
Acetylcholine
Serotonin
Dopamine
Glutamate
Explanation - Many antidepressants, such as SSRIs, focus on increasing serotonin levels in the brain to help improve mood and alleviate symptoms of depression.
Correct answer is: Serotonin
Q.8 What is the primary action of antipsychotic medications?
Block dopamine receptors
Increase serotonin levels
Enhance GABAergic transmission
Inhibit norepinephrine uptake
Explanation - Antipsychotics primarily work by blocking dopamine receptors, which helps reduce symptoms like delusions and hallucinations in conditions like schizophrenia.
Correct answer is: Block dopamine receptors
Q.9 Which of the following is a potential side effect of long-term use of antipsychotic drugs?
Weight loss
Parkinsonism
Dehydration
Hyperactivity
Explanation - Long-term use of antipsychotic medications can cause extrapyramidal symptoms, including parkinsonism, due to dopamine receptor blockade.
Correct answer is: Parkinsonism
Q.10 Which drug class is used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
Antidepressants
Stimulants
Antipsychotics
Beta blockers
Explanation - Stimulants like methylphenidate and amphetamines are commonly used to treat ADHD by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine activity in the brain.
Correct answer is: Stimulants
Q.11 What is the mechanism of action of benzodiazepines?
Inhibit dopamine release
Enhance GABA activity
Block serotonin receptors
Increase norepinephrine release
Explanation - Benzodiazepines enhance the effect of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, which leads to sedation and anxiolytic effects.
Correct answer is: Enhance GABA activity
Q.12 Which of the following drugs is considered a first-line treatment for acute mania in bipolar disorder?
Lithium
Valproate
Clozapine
Olanzapine
Explanation - Valproate is commonly used for the acute treatment of mania in bipolar disorder due to its mood-stabilizing properties.
Correct answer is: Valproate
Q.13 Which drug is an antagonist at NMDA receptors and is used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease?
Donepezil
Memantine
Amitriptyline
Rivastigmine
Explanation - Memantine is an NMDA receptor antagonist used to treat Alzheimer's disease by reducing the effects of excess glutamate, which can be neurotoxic.
Correct answer is: Memantine
Q.14 Which of the following medications is primarily used as a muscle relaxant?
Baclofen
Fluoxetine
Lisinopril
Amitriptyline
Explanation - Baclofen is a muscle relaxant that works by stimulating GABA receptors in the spinal cord to reduce muscle spasticity.
Correct answer is: Baclofen
Q.15 Which of the following drugs is used to reverse opioid overdose?
Naloxone
Methadone
Fentanyl
Oxycodone
Explanation - Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to rapidly reverse the effects of opioid overdose by displacing opioids from receptor sites.
Correct answer is: Naloxone
Q.16 Which of the following antiepileptic drugs has a teratogenic effect?
Phenytoin
Gabapentin
Topiramate
Lamotrigine
Explanation - Phenytoin is known to cause birth defects if taken during pregnancy, and women of childbearing age are advised to use effective contraception.
Correct answer is: Phenytoin
Q.17 Which of the following neurotransmitters is most directly associated with the 'reward system' in the brain?
Dopamine
Serotonin
Glutamate
Acetylcholine
Explanation - Dopamine is the primary neurotransmitter associated with reward, motivation, and pleasure in the brain's reward system.
Correct answer is: Dopamine
Q.18 What is the mechanism of action of lithium in bipolar disorder?
Inhibits serotonin reuptake
Stabilizes mood by altering intracellular signaling
Increases dopamine release
Blocks NMDA receptors
Explanation - Lithium is thought to stabilize mood in bipolar disorder by influencing second messenger systems, including the inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3.
Correct answer is: Stabilizes mood by altering intracellular signaling
Q.19 Which neurotransmitter is primarily involved in Parkinson’s disease due to its deficiency in the basal ganglia?
Dopamine
Serotonin
GABA
Acetylcholine
Explanation - Parkinson’s disease results from degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra leading to dopamine deficiency in the basal ganglia.
Correct answer is: Dopamine
Q.20 Benzodiazepines enhance the action of which neurotransmitter?
Glutamate
GABA
Acetylcholine
Dopamine
Explanation - Benzodiazepines bind to GABA-A receptors and increase the frequency of chloride channel opening, enhancing inhibitory neurotransmission.
Correct answer is: GABA
Q.21 Which of the following is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)?
Diazepam
Fluoxetine
Haloperidol
Morphine
Explanation - Fluoxetine is an SSRI used in depression by increasing serotonin levels in the synaptic cleft.
Correct answer is: Fluoxetine
Q.22 Which antiepileptic drug works by blocking sodium channels?
Phenytoin
Diazepam
Phenobarbital
Gabapentin
Explanation - Phenytoin stabilizes neuronal membranes by blocking voltage-gated sodium channels, reducing excitability.
Correct answer is: Phenytoin
Q.23 Which drug is the first-line therapy for status epilepticus?
Phenytoin
Diazepam
Valproate
Carbamazepine
Explanation - Intravenous benzodiazepines such as diazepam or lorazepam are first-line for status epilepticus due to rapid onset.
Correct answer is: Diazepam
Q.24 Which opioid receptor subtype is mainly responsible for analgesia?
Kappa
Delta
Mu
Sigma
Explanation - Mu opioid receptors mediate analgesia, euphoria, and respiratory depression.
Correct answer is: Mu
Q.25 Which antipsychotic is most associated with extrapyramidal side effects?
Clozapine
Haloperidol
Olanzapine
Risperidone
Explanation - Typical antipsychotics like haloperidol strongly block D2 receptors, causing extrapyramidal symptoms.
Correct answer is: Haloperidol
Q.26 Which drug is used as an antidote for opioid overdose?
Flumazenil
Naloxone
Atropine
Physostigmine
Explanation - Naloxone is a pure opioid receptor antagonist that reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression.
Correct answer is: Naloxone
Q.27 Which of the following is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic?
Zolpidem
Diazepam
Lorazepam
Clonazepam
Explanation - Zolpidem acts selectively on GABA-A receptor subtypes to induce sleep with less dependence risk.
Correct answer is: Zolpidem
Q.28 Which enzyme does donepezil inhibit in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease?
Monoamine oxidase
Acetylcholinesterase
COMT
DOPA decarboxylase
Explanation - Donepezil inhibits acetylcholinesterase, increasing acetylcholine availability in the brain.
Correct answer is: Acetylcholinesterase
Q.29 Which drug is contraindicated in patients with a history of seizures?
Bupropion
Fluoxetine
Citalopram
Sertraline
Explanation - Bupropion lowers seizure threshold and is contraindicated in patients with seizure disorders.
Correct answer is: Bupropion
Q.30 Levodopa is combined with carbidopa to:
Increase dopamine metabolism
Prevent peripheral breakdown of levodopa
Increase serotonin levels
Enhance GABA activity
Explanation - Carbidopa inhibits dopa decarboxylase in the periphery, allowing more levodopa to reach the brain.
Correct answer is: Prevent peripheral breakdown of levodopa
Q.31 Which of the following is a side effect of chronic opioid use?
Diarrhea
Miosis
Increased respiratory rate
Hypertension
Explanation - Opioid use causes pinpoint pupils (miosis), constipation, and respiratory depression.
Correct answer is: Miosis
Q.32 Which CNS stimulant is commonly used in ADHD treatment?
Methylphenidate
Diazepam
Haloperidol
Amitriptyline
Explanation - Methylphenidate increases dopamine and norepinephrine activity, improving attention in ADHD.
Correct answer is: Methylphenidate
Q.33 Which barbiturate is used for induction of anesthesia?
Thiopental
Phenobarbital
Secobarbital
Amobarbital
Explanation - Thiopental is an ultra-short-acting barbiturate used for anesthesia induction.
Correct answer is: Thiopental
Q.34 Which drug is a partial agonist at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors used in smoking cessation?
Bupropion
Varenicline
Clonidine
Nortriptyline
Explanation - Varenicline is a partial agonist at α4β2 nicotinic receptors, reducing cravings in smoking cessation.
Correct answer is: Varenicline
Q.35 Which benzodiazepine is commonly used for alcohol withdrawal management?
Diazepam
Zolpidem
Fluoxetine
Haloperidol
Explanation - Long-acting benzodiazepines like diazepam are used to prevent seizures and delirium tremens in alcohol withdrawal.
Correct answer is: Diazepam
Q.36 Which neurotransmitter is increased by monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)?
GABA
Dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine
Glutamate
Histamine
Explanation - MAOIs block the enzyme monoamine oxidase, preventing breakdown of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.
Correct answer is: Dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine
Q.37 Which drug is known to cause agranulocytosis as a severe adverse effect?
Haloperidol
Risperidone
Clozapine
Olanzapine
Explanation - Clozapine can cause life-threatening agranulocytosis, requiring regular blood monitoring.
Correct answer is: Clozapine
Q.38 Which drug class is used for acute migraine treatment?
Beta-blockers
Triptans
SSRIs
MAOIs
Explanation - Triptans are serotonin 5-HT1B/1D agonists that relieve acute migraine attacks by causing cranial vasoconstriction.
Correct answer is: Triptans
Q.39 Which antiepileptic drug is also used in bipolar disorder?
Valproate
Phenytoin
Phenobarbital
Gabapentin
Explanation - Valproate is effective for epilepsy and also as a mood stabilizer in bipolar disorder.
Correct answer is: Valproate
Q.40 Which drug is a NMDA receptor antagonist used in Alzheimer’s disease?
Donepezil
Memantine
Levodopa
Haloperidol
Explanation - Memantine blocks NMDA receptors to reduce excitotoxicity in Alzheimer’s disease.
Correct answer is: Memantine
Q.41 Which of the following causes serotonin syndrome when combined with SSRIs?
Triptans
Beta-blockers
NSAIDs
Calcium channel blockers
Explanation - Triptans combined with SSRIs may lead to excessive serotonergic activity causing serotonin syndrome.
Correct answer is: Triptans
Q.42 Which drug is commonly used as an anesthetic in short diagnostic procedures?
Propofol
Haloperidol
Lorazepam
Ketamine
Explanation - Propofol is a fast-acting anesthetic used in short procedures due to rapid onset and recovery.
Correct answer is: Propofol
Q.43 Which adverse effect is most associated with lithium therapy?
Hypothyroidism
Hypertension
Seizures
Glaucoma
Explanation - Lithium commonly causes hypothyroidism and requires thyroid function monitoring.
Correct answer is: Hypothyroidism