Galen Pharmacology Exam 1 Reviewed 2026
133 Questions with Answers
1. What is drug metabolism - ANSWER-process of body chemically changing drug into a
form to be excreted
2. What is the half-life of a drug? - ANSWER-the time it takes for the drug in body to be
reduced by half
3. What is a loading dose - ANSWER-Large initial dose of medication followed by small
maintanence dose
4. Where does drug excretion occur? - ANSWER-kidneys
5. Ways drug excretion takes place - ANSWER-Kidneys, liver (bile), feces, lungs, saliva
6. What is the primary effect of a drug - ANSWER-Why you're taking the drug (desirable
response)
7. What is the secondary effect of a drug - ANSWER-Side effects (can be desirable or
undesirable)
8. What is the therapeutic index? - ANSWER-ratio of toxic dose to therapeutic dose
9. What is ED50? - ANSWER-effective dose for 50% of the population
10. What is TD50? - ANSWER-toxic dose in 50% of the population
11. What is the peak level of a drug? - ANSWER-highest blood level of a drug
12. What is the trough drug level? - ANSWER-lowest blood level of a drug
13. What is the onset of a drug - ANSWER-The amount of time it takes a drug to begin
working.
14. When do you draw a peak for PO meds - ANSWER-2-3 hours after taking
15. When do you draw peak for IV meds - ANSWER-30-60 meds
16. What is polypharmacy? - ANSWER-use of multiple medications (more than 5)
17. S/S of infection - ANSWER-fever, chills, redness, swelling, fatigue, increased WBC, pus,
sweats
, 18. Purpose of COX-1 - ANSWER-Protects stomach lining and regulates blood platelets
19. Purpose of COX-2 - ANSWER-Triggers inflammation and pain
20. What does nsaids block - ANSWER-Both COX 1 and 2
4 things nsaids do - ANSWER-Reduce fever
Reduce inflammation
Reduce pain
Inhibits platelet aggregation
21. What is analgesic effect - ANSWER-Reduce pain
22. What is the antipyretic effect? - ANSWER-Reduce fever
23. Action of Aspirin - ANSWER-Anti-inflammatory, anti-fever, anticoagulant, antipyretic
24. Side effects/ adverse reactions of aspirin - ANSWER-Dizziness, drowsiness, headache,
GI distress, tinnitus, thrombocytopenia
25. Can aspirin be given to children? - ANSWER-No. May cause Reye's syndrome (brain
development)
26. 5 Gs of food drug reactions - ANSWER-Garlic, ginseng, ginko, green tea, ginger
27. What is the most widely used NSAID - ANSWER-Ibuprofen (advil)
28. Actions of Ibuprofen (Advil) - ANSWER-Inhibits COX 1 and 2
29. Nursing interventions/ teachings of aspirin and ibuprofen's - ANSWER-Observe pt for
bleeding gums, petechiae, black/tarry stools
Avoid alcohol
30. What is the max dose of acetaminophen? - ANSWER-4g/day
If taken frequently, 2g/daily
31. Acetaminophen is toxic to what - ANSWER-Live- hepatoxicity
32. What are some nursing interventions for acetaminophen - ANSWER-Check liver
enzymes tests for abnormalities
Teach pt to avoid alcohol ingestion
Teach max dose of 4g a day
33. What are some adverse reactions and side effects of morphine - ANSWER-Drowsiness,
sedation, dizziness, confusion, pupil constriction, hypotension, bradycardia, respiratory
depression (less than 8)
133 Questions with Answers
1. What is drug metabolism - ANSWER-process of body chemically changing drug into a
form to be excreted
2. What is the half-life of a drug? - ANSWER-the time it takes for the drug in body to be
reduced by half
3. What is a loading dose - ANSWER-Large initial dose of medication followed by small
maintanence dose
4. Where does drug excretion occur? - ANSWER-kidneys
5. Ways drug excretion takes place - ANSWER-Kidneys, liver (bile), feces, lungs, saliva
6. What is the primary effect of a drug - ANSWER-Why you're taking the drug (desirable
response)
7. What is the secondary effect of a drug - ANSWER-Side effects (can be desirable or
undesirable)
8. What is the therapeutic index? - ANSWER-ratio of toxic dose to therapeutic dose
9. What is ED50? - ANSWER-effective dose for 50% of the population
10. What is TD50? - ANSWER-toxic dose in 50% of the population
11. What is the peak level of a drug? - ANSWER-highest blood level of a drug
12. What is the trough drug level? - ANSWER-lowest blood level of a drug
13. What is the onset of a drug - ANSWER-The amount of time it takes a drug to begin
working.
14. When do you draw a peak for PO meds - ANSWER-2-3 hours after taking
15. When do you draw peak for IV meds - ANSWER-30-60 meds
16. What is polypharmacy? - ANSWER-use of multiple medications (more than 5)
17. S/S of infection - ANSWER-fever, chills, redness, swelling, fatigue, increased WBC, pus,
sweats
, 18. Purpose of COX-1 - ANSWER-Protects stomach lining and regulates blood platelets
19. Purpose of COX-2 - ANSWER-Triggers inflammation and pain
20. What does nsaids block - ANSWER-Both COX 1 and 2
4 things nsaids do - ANSWER-Reduce fever
Reduce inflammation
Reduce pain
Inhibits platelet aggregation
21. What is analgesic effect - ANSWER-Reduce pain
22. What is the antipyretic effect? - ANSWER-Reduce fever
23. Action of Aspirin - ANSWER-Anti-inflammatory, anti-fever, anticoagulant, antipyretic
24. Side effects/ adverse reactions of aspirin - ANSWER-Dizziness, drowsiness, headache,
GI distress, tinnitus, thrombocytopenia
25. Can aspirin be given to children? - ANSWER-No. May cause Reye's syndrome (brain
development)
26. 5 Gs of food drug reactions - ANSWER-Garlic, ginseng, ginko, green tea, ginger
27. What is the most widely used NSAID - ANSWER-Ibuprofen (advil)
28. Actions of Ibuprofen (Advil) - ANSWER-Inhibits COX 1 and 2
29. Nursing interventions/ teachings of aspirin and ibuprofen's - ANSWER-Observe pt for
bleeding gums, petechiae, black/tarry stools
Avoid alcohol
30. What is the max dose of acetaminophen? - ANSWER-4g/day
If taken frequently, 2g/daily
31. Acetaminophen is toxic to what - ANSWER-Live- hepatoxicity
32. What are some nursing interventions for acetaminophen - ANSWER-Check liver
enzymes tests for abnormalities
Teach pt to avoid alcohol ingestion
Teach max dose of 4g a day
33. What are some adverse reactions and side effects of morphine - ANSWER-Drowsiness,
sedation, dizziness, confusion, pupil constriction, hypotension, bradycardia, respiratory
depression (less than 8)
