What this area covers
Pre-clinical medical science in Australian medical schools is assessed with written exams, often single best answer MCQs and short answers, plus practical or spot tests in anatomy. This page is for first and second year students and graduate-entry students who need the core science that clinical years build on.
High-yield topics
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Pharmacokinetics | Absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion |
| Pharmacodynamics | Agonists, antagonists, dose-response |
| Autonomic drugs | Adrenergic and cholinergic |
| Antibiotics | Mechanisms and resistance |
| Cardiovascular | ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, statins |
| Adverse effects | Interactions and toxicity |
Worked example
Worked question · Autonomic
Atropine blocks which receptor?
- A Muscarinic receptor
- B Nicotinic receptor at the NMJ
- C Beta-1 adrenoceptor
- D Alpha-1 adrenoceptor
- E Dopamine D2 receptor
Show the reasoning
Answer A. Atropine is a competitive muscarinic antagonist, increasing heart rate and reducing secretions.
A short study plan
| Week | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | Principles |
| 2 | Autonomic and cardiovascular drugs |
| 3 | Antimicrobials and toxicity |
Do a short timed set most days and review every explanation, including the options you ruled out.
Common traps
- Learning drug names without mechanisms.
- Mixing receptor subtypes.
- Forgetting interactions.
Free sample pharmacology questions
Questions from our Basic Science bank. Choose your answer, then open the explanation.
A drug has a half-life of 6 hours and is given at a fixed regular dose. About how long until steady state?
- AIt never reaches steady state
- BAbout 1 hour
- CAbout 6 hours
- DAbout 24 to 30 hours
- EAbout 3 days to a week
Show answer and explanation
Answer D. Steady state is reached after about 4 to 5 half-lives regardless of dose: 6 x 4 to 5 = 24 to 30 hours. A loading dose can achieve target levels sooner.
Learning point: Steady state after 4 to 5 half-lives; loading doses get there faster.
How do selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors work?
- ARelease serotonin from storage vesicles
- BBlock 5-HT3 receptors
- CBlock serotonin reuptake (SERT)
- DBlock dopamine receptors
- EInhibit monoamine oxidase
Show answer and explanation
Answer C. SSRIs inhibit the serotonin transporter, increasing synaptic serotonin. MAO inhibitors block breakdown; 5-HT3 antagonists (ondansetron) are antiemetics.
Learning point: SSRIs block SERT; ondansetron blocks 5-HT3.
Why is GTN given sublingually rather than swallowed for angina?
- ATo avoid extensive first-pass metabolism
- BTo slow its onset
- CBecause the stomach destroys all nitrates
- DBecause it tastes better
- EBecause it is only active in saliva
Show answer and explanation
Answer A. Swallowed GTN undergoes extensive hepatic first-pass metabolism. Sublingual absorption enters the systemic circulation directly via the superior vena cava, giving rapid onset.
Learning point: Sublingual GTN avoids first-pass metabolism for rapid effect.
Practise more pharmacology questions free
Every pharmacology subtopic in our bank
The bank holds 20 pharmacology questions across 20 subtopics. You can filter by any of them, build a custom block and track your accuracy subtopic by subtopic.
- ACE inhibitor side effect1
- Aminoglycoside toxicity1
- Antibiotic mechanisms1
- Anticholinergic effects1
- Aspirin action1
- Benzodiazepine mechanism1
- Beta-blocker contraindication1
- Digoxin toxicity1
- Drug interactions CYP4501
- First-pass metabolism1
- Half-life1
- Loop diuretics1
- Metformin1
- Opioid receptors1
- Paracetamol overdose1
- Pharmacodynamics: agonists1
- SSRI mechanism1
- Teratogens1
- Therapeutic index1
- Warfarin mechanism1
Common questions
Which drugs should I learn first?
Common classes used in hospitals: antibiotics, analgesics, cardiovascular drugs.
Is pharmacokinetics important?
Yes, it underpins dosing in kidney and liver disease.
How many pharmacology questions are in the Basic Science bank?
There are 20 pharmacology questions across 20 subtopics, and the bank grows as new questions pass review.
Can I practise only pharmacology questions?
Yes. Filter by area or by any subtopic to build a custom block, in tutor mode with explanations after each question or in timed mode.
How are pharmacology questions explained?
Every question explains why the answer is right and why each other option is wrong, with a learning point and the Australian source behind it.
How much of the Basic Science mock is pharmacology?
About 15 questions in each 100-question mock come from pharmacology, following our mock blueprint.
Which sources is this pharmacology page based on?
It summarises current Australian guidance, including Australian Medical Council: Graduate outcome statements; Standard medical science texts. Guidelines change, so always check the latest edition.
When was this pharmacology guide last updated?
It was last reviewed on 9 November 2026. We update topic pages when the exam or Australian guidance changes.
How do I unlock all Basic Science questions?
Choose a Basic Science plan: 1, 3, 6 or 12 months of access, from A$14.99, one payment with no auto-renew. It opens every area, not just pharmacology.
Sources
Clinical content is summarised from current Australian guidance at the date above. Guidelines change, so always check the latest edition.
- Australian Medical Council: Graduate outcome statements
- Standard medical science texts