Medicines Practice Questions
20 free Medicines practice questions for the General Science. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
Which class of medicines is specifically designed to reduce or abolish pain without causing loss of consciousness?
- A Antipyretics
- B Analgesics
- C Antacids
- D Tranquilizers
Correct answer: Analgesics
Analgesics are drugs that relieve pain by acting on the central or peripheral nervous system. They are classified into non-narcotic (like aspirin) and narcotic (like morphine) types.
What is the primary function of 'Antipyretics' in medical treatment?
- A To kill infectious bacteria
- B To lower body temperature during high fever
- C To reduce mental stress and anxiety
- D To prevent the growth of microorganisms on living tissue
Correct answer: To lower body temperature during high fever
Antipyretics are substances that reduce fever by causing the hypothalamus to override an interleukin-induced increase in temperature. Common examples include paracetamol and aspirin.
Which of the following drugs is used as a 'Tranquilizer' to treat hypertension and emotional distress?
- A Equanil
- B Penicillin
- C Chloroquine
- D Prontosil
Correct answer: Equanil
Equanil is a tranquilizer used in controlling depression and hypertension. Tranquilizers are neurologically active drugs that affect the message transfer mechanism from nerve to receptor.
Aspirin is chemically known as which of the following?
- A Methyl salicylate
- B Ethyl benzoate
- C Acetylsalicylic acid
- D Salicylaldehyde
Correct answer: Acetylsalicylic acid
Aspirin is Acetylsalicylic acid, synthesized by the acetylation of salicylic acid. It possesses analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties, and also acts as an anti-blood clotting agent.
Which type of medicine is used to neutralize excess acid produced in the stomach?
- A Antihistamines
- B Antacid drugs
- C Disinfectants
- D Antibiotics
Correct answer: Antacid drugs
Antacids like magnesium hydroxide or sodium bicarbonate react chemically to neutralize gastric acid. Modern antacids like ranitidine work by preventing the interaction of histamine with the stomach wall receptors.
In the context of antimicrobial drugs, what is the specific role of 'Bacteriostatic' agents?
- A They kill the bacteria immediately
- B They inhibit the growth of organisms
- C They only work against viruses
- D They promote antibody production
Correct answer: They inhibit the growth of organisms
Bacteriostatic drugs, such as erythromycin or tetracycline, prevent bacteria from reproducing rather than killing them outright. This allows the host's immune system to eventually clear the infection.
Which was the first effective antibacterial agent produced commercially, containing an azo linkage?
- A Penicillin G
- B Prontosil
- C Streptomycin
- D Chloramphenicol
Correct answer: Prontosil
Prontosil, developed by Domagk in 1932, was the first effective antibacterial agent. In the body, it is converted to sulfanilamide, which is the actual active compound.
What distinguishes 'Antiseptics' from 'Disinfectants'?
- A Antiseptics kill all bacteria while disinfectants only kill some
- B Antiseptics act on living tissues; disinfectants act on inanimate objects
- C Antiseptics are taken orally, whereas disinfectants are applied topically
- D There is no chemical difference; the terms are synonymous
Correct answer: Antiseptics act on living tissues; disinfectants act on inanimate objects
Antiseptics like furacine or soframycin are safe for living tissues, while disinfectants (like 1% phenol) are toxic to living tissues and used for floors or drainage systems. Some substances can act as both depending on their concentration.
Which antibiotic is described as 'Broad Spectrum', meaning it is effective against a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria?
- A Penicillin G
- B Chloramphenicol
- C Salvarsan
- D Streptomycin
Correct answer: Chloramphenicol
Chloramphenicol is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that can be used to treat typhoid, dysentery, and urinary tract infections. Penicillin G, by contrast, has a narrow spectrum.
What is the primary use of 'Antihistamines' like Brompheniramine (Dimetapp)?
- A To treat bacterial infections
- B To lower high blood pressure
- C To treat allergic reactions such as sneezing
- D To serve as a general anesthetic during surgery
Correct answer: To treat allergic reactions such as sneezing
Antihistamines compete with histamine for receptors in the body to prevent allergic reactions. Histamine is a potent vasodilator responsible for nasal congestion associated with common colds and allergies.
Which drug is famously used as an 'Antimalarial' and was originally derived from the bark of the Cinchona tree?
- A Quinine
- B Aspirin
- C Paracetamol
- D Insulin
Correct answer: Quinine
Quinine is a natural white crystalline alkaloid having antipyretic and antimalarial properties. Synthetic derivatives like Chloroquine are now more commonly used for the treatment of malaria.
Barbiturates like Veronal and Nembutal belong to which class of drugs?
- A Antifertility drugs
- B Hypnotic agents
- C Antibiotics
- D Antacid agents
Correct answer: Hypnotic agents
Barbiturates are a class of tranquilizers that are 'hypnotic,' meaning they induce sleep. They function as central nervous system depressants.
Which of the following is a non-narcotic analgesic that also prevents heart attacks by inhibiting blood platelet coagulation?
- A Morphine
- B Codeine
- C Aspirin
- D Heroin
Correct answer: Aspirin
Aspirin inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins which cause inflammation and pain. Because of its anti-blood clotting action, it is often prescribed in low doses to prevent heart attacks.
The drug 'Salvarsan' was originally developed by Paul Ehrlich for the treatment of which disease?
- A Tuberculosis
- B Syphilis
- C Diabetes
- D Malaria
Correct answer: Syphilis
Salvarsan was an arsenic-based drug developed to treat syphilis. This discovery earned Ehrlich the Nobel Prize and laid the foundation for modern chemotherapy.
What is the specific medicinal use of 'Mifepristone'?
- A A synthetic antifertility steroid
- B A broad-spectrum antibiotic
- C A powerful antiseptic for wounds
- D A treatment for acidity
Correct answer: A synthetic antifertility steroid
Mifepristone is a synthetic steroid used as an antifertility drug. It blocks the effects of progesterone, which is necessary for maintaining pregnancy.
Bithionol is added to which daily life product to provide antiseptic properties?
- A Toothpaste
- B Bar soap
- C Face cream
- D Shampoo
Correct answer: Bar soap
Bithionol is added to soaps to impart antiseptic properties and reduce the odors produced by bacterial decomposition of organic matter on the skin.
Which of the following is an example of a 'Narcotic Analgesic'?
- A Paracetamol
- B Ibuprofen
- C Morphine
- D Naproxen
Correct answer: Morphine
Morphine and its derivatives are narcotic analgesics which relieve pain and produce sleep. If used in poisonous doses, they produce stupor, coma, and even death.
Tincture of iodine, a powerful antiseptic for wounds, consists of what?
- A Pure liquid iodine
- B 2-3% solution of iodine in alcohol-water mixture
- C Solution of iodine in concentrated HCl
- D Solid iodine crystals mixed with petroleum jelly
Correct answer: 2-3% solution of iodine in alcohol-water mixture
Tincture of iodine is a 2-3% solution of iodine in an alcohol-water mixture. It is a highly effective antiseptic applied topically to minor cuts and abrasions.
Which substance is used as an 'Antiseptic' in the form of a very dilute (0.2%) aqueous solution?
- A Carbolic acid
- B Formaldehyde
- C Triiodomethane
- D Boric acid
Correct answer: Carbolic acid
A 0.2 percent solution of phenol is an antiseptic, whereas its one percent solution is a disinfectant. This demonstrates how concentration determines the application of a chemical.
Which gas was used as the first 'Inhalation Anesthetic' in clinical surgery?
- A Carbon Dioxide
- B Nitrous Oxide
- C Nitrogen Dioxide
- D Methane
Correct answer: Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous Oxide, also known as laughing gas, was the first gas used for inhalation anesthesia. It was later followed by diethyl ether and chloroform.