NLE Pharmacology MCQs: Practice Questions With Explanations

Sample NLE (NRE) theory MCQs from Pharmacology, part of the applied basic sciences component of the theory paper — covering cardiovascular, CNS, antimicrobial, toxicology and endocrine pharmacology, each with the correct answer explained.

Pharmacology sits within the applied basic sciences portion of the NLE (NRE) theory paper, alongside Applied Pathology, Applied Anatomy and Applied Physiology — see our NRE past papers guide for how that basic-sciences component fits into the wider 200-MCQ paper. In HighYield’s question bank, Pharmacology is one of the largest single subjects with over 160 practice questions. Below is a sample set in the same applied/clinical style tested on exam day.

Cardiovascular Pharmacology

1. Which class of antihypertensive is most associated with a persistent dry cough as a side effect?

A) Calcium channel blockers
B) ACE inhibitors ✅
C) Thiazide diuretics
D) Beta-blockers

CNS Pharmacology

2. Which class of drugs is first-line for the acute management of status epilepticus?

A) Phenytoin
B) Benzodiazepines ✅
C) Sodium valproate
D) Barbiturates

Antimicrobial Pharmacology

3. Which antibiotic is associated with "grey baby syndrome" in neonates, due to immature hepatic glucuronidation?

A) Gentamicin
B) Chloramphenicol ✅
C) Ciprofloxacin
D) Tetracycline

Toxicology & Antidotes

4. Which drug is the specific antidote for opioid overdose?

A) Flumazenil
B) Naloxone ✅
C) Atropine
D) N-acetylcysteine

Endocrine & Metabolic Pharmacology

5. Which oral hypoglycaemic drug class carries the highest risk of causing hypoglycaemia, due to direct stimulation of insulin release?

A) Biguanides (metformin)
B) Sulfonylureas ✅
C) DPP-4 inhibitors
D) SGLT2 inhibitors

Why Pharmacology Deserves a Dedicated Pass

Pharmacology questions test the same applied reasoning as clinical subjects — knowing a mechanism is only useful if you can connect it to the drug’s characteristic side effect, antidote, or contraindication, which is exactly how these questions are framed. Treating pharmacology as pure memorisation rather than applied reasoning is a common reason candidates underperform here relative to their grasp of the underlying content.

HighYield’s NLE question bank covers Pharmacology alongside every discipline on the theory paper, including a dedicated Pharmacology subject bank, with every question explained. Start with your first questions free, no sign-in required.