Pharmacology

Endocrine pharmacotherapy Practice Questions

20 free Endocrine pharmacotherapy practice questions for the USMLE Step 1, each with the correct answer and a detailed explanation. Open any question below, or take the full set as an interactive quiz.

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All Endocrine pharmacotherapy questions

20 questions
  1. Q1. A patient with type 2 diabetes is started on metformin. Which mechanism best explains how this drug lowers blood glucose?
  2. Q2. A patient on methimazole for Graves disease develops fever and sore throat. Which test should be obtained immediately?
  3. Q3. A woman with hypothyroidism is switched from levothyroxine to liothyronine. Which major pharmacologic difference should the physician consider?
  4. Q4. A diabetic patient begins therapy with a sulfonylurea. Which adverse effect is the patient most at risk for?
  5. Q5. A patient with type 2 diabetes is started on a GLP-1 analog such as liraglutide. Which additional benefit is expected?
  6. Q6. A patient with Cushing syndrome undergoes medical therapy before surgery. Which drug inhibits 11β-hydroxylase?
  7. Q7. A patient with osteoporosis is started on alendronate. Which adverse effect should be emphasized?
  8. Q8. A woman with acromegaly is prescribed octreotide. Which hormone does this drug primarily inhibit?
  9. Q9. A patient on an SGLT2 inhibitor such as canagliflozin should be monitored for which adverse effect?
  10. Q10. A patient with hyperprolactinemia is treated with bromocriptine. What is the mechanism of action?
  11. Q11. A patient taking long-term prednisone suddenly stops the medication. Which complication is most likely?
  12. Q12. A patient is prescribed propylthiouracil (PTU). Which mechanism distinguishes PTU from methimazole?
  13. Q13. A patient with type 1 diabetes begins insulin glargine. What is a major benefit of this formulation?
  14. Q14. Which diabetes medication should be avoided in patients with heart failure due to fluid retention?
  15. Q15. A woman with PCOS is prescribed spironolactone. What symptom is this medication intended to treat?
  16. Q16. A patient receiving insulin therapy experiences hypoglycemia with confusion and sweating. Which is the fastest treatment option?
  17. Q17. A patient with hyperthyroidism is treated with radioactive iodine. Which side effect is most likely?
  18. Q18. A diabetic patient is taking acarbose. What is the drug’s primary mechanism?
  19. Q19. A patient with adrenal insufficiency requires lifelong replacement therapy. Which medication provides mineralocorticoid activity?
  20. Q20. A patient on exenatide reports nausea and early satiety. What explains these symptoms?