NSG 318 Exam final exam – GCU Pharmacology – 2026 Actual Questions & Answers

NSG 318 Exam final exam – GCU Pharmacology – 2026 Actual Questions &
Answers

NSG 318 Final Exam – GCU Pharmacology – 2026 Practice Questions & Answers



Part 1: Fundamentals of Pharmacology (Questions 1-25)

1. Which term describes the study of how the body affects a drug (absorption,
distribution, metabolism, excretion)?



A) Pharmacodynamics



B) Pharmacokinetics



C) Pharmacogenomics



D) Pharmacoepidemiology



Answer: B) Pharmacokinetics



Rationale: Pharmacokinetics covers the four processes of ADME—how the body
handles a drug. Pharmacodynamics is the study of how the drug affects the body .

,2. A drug that binds to a receptor and produces the same response as the
endogenous ligand is a:



A) Antagonist



B) Partial agonist



C) Full agonist



D) Inverse agonist



Answer: C) Full agonist



Rationale: Full agonists produce maximal receptor response similar to the natural
ligand. Antagonists block receptors without activating them .



3. Which route of administration typically provides the fastest onset of action?



A) Oral

,B) Intramuscular



C) Intravenous



D) Subcutaneous



Answer: C) Intravenous



Rationale: IV administration delivers the drug directly into the bloodstream,
bypassing absorption barriers and providing immediate onset of action .



4. A competitive antagonist at a receptor:



A) Permanently deactivates the receptor



B) Can be overcome by increasing agonist concentration



C) Produces the same effect as an agonist

, D) Enhances receptor sensitivity



Answer: B) Can be overcome by increasing agonist concentration



Rationale: Competitive antagonists bind reversibly to receptors. Higher
concentrations of agonist can outcompete the antagonist for receptor binding
sites .



5. Which is an example of a generic drug?



A) Claritin



B) Tylenol



C) Aspirin



D) Acetaminophen



Answer: D) Acetaminophen