NUR612/NUR612 Exam 1 V1 | Advance
Pharmacology Q&A with Rationale |
William Paterson University
1. Which phase of pharmacokinetics involves the movement of a drug from its site of
administration into the blood?
A. Metabolism
B. Absorption
C. Distribution
D. Excretion
Answer: B
Rationale: Absorption is the primary process where a drug moves into the bloodstream
from its entry point. The rate of absorption determines how soon effects will begin, while
the amount of absorption determines how intense effects will be. Factors such as surface
area and blood flow significantly influence this specific phase.
2. When considering the first-pass effect, which route of administration is most affected by
hepatic metabolism before reaching systemic circulation?
A. Oral
B. Sublingual
C. Intravenous
,D. Intramuscular
Answer: A
Rationale: Oral medications are absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and carried
directly to the liver via the hepatic portal vein. If the liver has a high capacity to metabolize
the drug, it may be inactivated before reaching the rest of the body. This phenomenon is
known as the first-pass effect and often necessitates higher oral doses compared to
parenteral routes.
3. What is the term for the measure of a drug’s safety, defined as the ratio of the toxic dose
to the effective dose?
A. Therapeutic Index
B. Bioavailability
C. Potency
D. Efficacy
Answer: A
Rationale: The therapeutic index is a quantitative measurement of the relative safety of a
drug. A large or wide index indicates that a drug is relatively safe, while a small or narrow
index suggests the drug is more dangerous. Clinicians must closely monitor drugs with a
narrow therapeutic index to avoid toxicity.
, 4. A patient with chronic renal failure is prescribed a drug that is primarily excreted by the
kidneys. What adjustment does the nurse practitioner anticipate?
A. An increase in the dosage frequency
B. Switching to an oral route for faster clearance
C. A reduction in the drug dosage
D. No change as the liver will compensate
Answer: C
Rationale: Renal impairment reduces the body’s ability to eliminate drugs, leading to
potential accumulation and toxicity. To prevent this, the dosage must be reduced or the
dosing interval lengthened. This ensures that drug levels remain within a safe therapeutic
range without overloading the compromised kidneys.
5. Which Cytochrome P450 enzyme is responsible for metabolizing approximately 50% of all
clinically used drugs?
A. CYP2D6
B. CYP3A4
C. CYP1A2
D. CYP2C9
Answer: B
Pharmacology Q&A with Rationale |
William Paterson University
1. Which phase of pharmacokinetics involves the movement of a drug from its site of
administration into the blood?
A. Metabolism
B. Absorption
C. Distribution
D. Excretion
Answer: B
Rationale: Absorption is the primary process where a drug moves into the bloodstream
from its entry point. The rate of absorption determines how soon effects will begin, while
the amount of absorption determines how intense effects will be. Factors such as surface
area and blood flow significantly influence this specific phase.
2. When considering the first-pass effect, which route of administration is most affected by
hepatic metabolism before reaching systemic circulation?
A. Oral
B. Sublingual
C. Intravenous
,D. Intramuscular
Answer: A
Rationale: Oral medications are absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and carried
directly to the liver via the hepatic portal vein. If the liver has a high capacity to metabolize
the drug, it may be inactivated before reaching the rest of the body. This phenomenon is
known as the first-pass effect and often necessitates higher oral doses compared to
parenteral routes.
3. What is the term for the measure of a drug’s safety, defined as the ratio of the toxic dose
to the effective dose?
A. Therapeutic Index
B. Bioavailability
C. Potency
D. Efficacy
Answer: A
Rationale: The therapeutic index is a quantitative measurement of the relative safety of a
drug. A large or wide index indicates that a drug is relatively safe, while a small or narrow
index suggests the drug is more dangerous. Clinicians must closely monitor drugs with a
narrow therapeutic index to avoid toxicity.
, 4. A patient with chronic renal failure is prescribed a drug that is primarily excreted by the
kidneys. What adjustment does the nurse practitioner anticipate?
A. An increase in the dosage frequency
B. Switching to an oral route for faster clearance
C. A reduction in the drug dosage
D. No change as the liver will compensate
Answer: C
Rationale: Renal impairment reduces the body’s ability to eliminate drugs, leading to
potential accumulation and toxicity. To prevent this, the dosage must be reduced or the
dosing interval lengthened. This ensures that drug levels remain within a safe therapeutic
range without overloading the compromised kidneys.
5. Which Cytochrome P450 enzyme is responsible for metabolizing approximately 50% of all
clinically used drugs?
A. CYP2D6
B. CYP3A4
C. CYP1A2
D. CYP2C9
Answer: B
