Pharmacology (NR 293) Midterm & Final Exam Bundle 2026
|Chamberlain College
1. Which process describes the movement of a drug from its site of
administration into the bloodstream?
A. Absorption
B. Metabolism
C. Distribution
D. Excretion
Answer: A
Rationale: Absorption is the movement of a drug from its site of administration into the
blood. Distribution is movement to tissues, metabolism is chemical alteration, and
excretion is removal.
2. When a drug is highly protein-bound, what is the concern for a patient with
low albumin levels?
A. Decreased therapeutic effect
B. Increased risk of drug toxicity
C. Faster excretion of the drug
D. Delayed absorption
Answer: B
Rationale: If albumin is low, there are fewer binding sites, resulting in more free (active)
drug in the bloodstream, which increases the risk of toxicity.
,3. A patient is prescribed sublingual nitroglycerin. What is the primary benefit of
this route?
A. It allows for a larger dose
B. It provides a slow, steady release
C. It bypasses the first-pass effect
D. It is easier for patients with dysphagia
Answer: C
Rationale: Sublingual administration allows the drug to be absorbed directly into the
systemic circulation, bypassing the liver and the first-pass effect.
4. What is the primary organ responsible for drug metabolism?
A. Kidneys
B. Liver
C. Lungs
D. Small intestine
Answer: B
Rationale: The liver is the primary site of drug metabolism, utilizing the cytochrome P450
enzyme system.
5. Which term refers to the time it takes for the amount of drug in the body to
decrease by 50%?
A. Half-life
B. Peak level
C. Duration of action
D. Trough level
Answer: A
Rationale: Half-life is the time required for one-half of the drug to be eliminated from the
body.
, 6. A patient reports a severe allergic reaction to penicillin. Which class of
antibiotics should be used with caution due to potential cross-sensitivity?
A. Cephalosporins
B. Tetracyclines
C. Aminoglycosides
D. Macrolides
Answer: A
Rationale: Cephalosporins are chemically similar to penicillins; patients with a true
penicillin allergy may experience cross-sensitivity.
7. What is the priority nursing assessment before administering digoxin?
A. Check blood pressure
B. Check respiratory rate
C. Assess apical pulse for 1 full minute
D. Monitor urine output
Answer: C
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia. The nurse must assess the apical pulse for 60
seconds and hold the medication if the pulse is less than 60 bpm (for adults).
8. A patient on furosemide (Lasix) should be monitored closely for which
electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: A
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes the excretion of potassium, potentially
leading to hypokalemia.
|Chamberlain College
1. Which process describes the movement of a drug from its site of
administration into the bloodstream?
A. Absorption
B. Metabolism
C. Distribution
D. Excretion
Answer: A
Rationale: Absorption is the movement of a drug from its site of administration into the
blood. Distribution is movement to tissues, metabolism is chemical alteration, and
excretion is removal.
2. When a drug is highly protein-bound, what is the concern for a patient with
low albumin levels?
A. Decreased therapeutic effect
B. Increased risk of drug toxicity
C. Faster excretion of the drug
D. Delayed absorption
Answer: B
Rationale: If albumin is low, there are fewer binding sites, resulting in more free (active)
drug in the bloodstream, which increases the risk of toxicity.
,3. A patient is prescribed sublingual nitroglycerin. What is the primary benefit of
this route?
A. It allows for a larger dose
B. It provides a slow, steady release
C. It bypasses the first-pass effect
D. It is easier for patients with dysphagia
Answer: C
Rationale: Sublingual administration allows the drug to be absorbed directly into the
systemic circulation, bypassing the liver and the first-pass effect.
4. What is the primary organ responsible for drug metabolism?
A. Kidneys
B. Liver
C. Lungs
D. Small intestine
Answer: B
Rationale: The liver is the primary site of drug metabolism, utilizing the cytochrome P450
enzyme system.
5. Which term refers to the time it takes for the amount of drug in the body to
decrease by 50%?
A. Half-life
B. Peak level
C. Duration of action
D. Trough level
Answer: A
Rationale: Half-life is the time required for one-half of the drug to be eliminated from the
body.
, 6. A patient reports a severe allergic reaction to penicillin. Which class of
antibiotics should be used with caution due to potential cross-sensitivity?
A. Cephalosporins
B. Tetracyclines
C. Aminoglycosides
D. Macrolides
Answer: A
Rationale: Cephalosporins are chemically similar to penicillins; patients with a true
penicillin allergy may experience cross-sensitivity.
7. What is the priority nursing assessment before administering digoxin?
A. Check blood pressure
B. Check respiratory rate
C. Assess apical pulse for 1 full minute
D. Monitor urine output
Answer: C
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia. The nurse must assess the apical pulse for 60
seconds and hold the medication if the pulse is less than 60 bpm (for adults).
8. A patient on furosemide (Lasix) should be monitored closely for which
electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: A
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes the excretion of potassium, potentially
leading to hypokalemia.
