PHARM EXAM 1 NS 235 CLARKSON SPRING 2026/2027 STUDY GUIDE | PHARMACOLOGY I
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | DRUG ACTIONS AND SAFETY REVIEW
What is a generic name? - correct answer ✔✔-the name assigned to the drug by the US
adopted name council and each drug only has one
-this name is usually less complicated, and many health care providers will use this name
-many generic names with have will have a common ending or syllable in their generic name
What is the trade name (or brand name) of a drug? - correct answer ✔✔-the name assigned by
the company marketing the drug
-usually easy to remember and pronounce
-companies have proprietary rights to the drug for 17 years, and after 17 years other companies
can sell a generic equivalent of the drug (sometimes using a different trade name)
What drugs are more readily absorbed in the GI membrane, and why? - correct answer
✔✔Drugs that are lipid (fat) soluble are absorbed better than water soluble drugs because the
GI membrane is compromised of fat and protein.
What four process occur in the pharmacokinetic phase? - correct answer ✔✔-absorption
-distribution
-metabolism
-excretion
What factors cause the drug to be readily absorbed from the GI tract? - correct answer ✔✔-GI
membrane is comprised of fat and protein so drugs that are lipid soluble are more readily
absorbed
-nonionized (no charge) are more readily absorbed than highly ionized drugs
-the alkaline environment of the small intestine will absorb alkaline drugs more readily
, Which route of administration will result in the highest bioavailability? - correct answer ✔✔IV
route is usually 100% availability
If a patient is taking three drugs that are 80%, 90%, and 99% protein bound, what factors will
increase the risk for toxicity from these drugs? - correct answer ✔✔-low protein (mainly
albumin) in the blood leaves less binding sites for the drugs to there are more drugs free in the
blood leading to toxicty
Why is an overdose of acetaminophen (Tylenol) life-threatening? - correct answer ✔✔when
metabolized it becomes toxic to the liver in large doses
What three types of drugs will be excreted by the kidney? - correct answer ✔✔-free unbound
drugs
-water soluble drugs
-unchanged drugs
What will increase the excretion of an alkaline drug in the urine? - correct answer ✔✔-acidic
urine promotes the excretion of weak bases
-to acidify the urine, cranberry juice can be given and to alkalinize the urine, sodium
bicarbonate can be given for overdose of aspirin
How often per day would a drug with a long-half life be given - correct answer ✔✔given once a
day to prevent excessive accumulation in the body
When will the patient start feeling the effects of the drug (at the onset, peak, or duration)?
When should the nurse assess the patient to see how effective the drug has been (onset, peak
or duration)? - correct answer ✔✔-the patient will start feeling the effect at onset
-the nurse should assess the patient at the peak
When is the trough level? - correct answer ✔✔right before the next dose is administered
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | DRUG ACTIONS AND SAFETY REVIEW
What is a generic name? - correct answer ✔✔-the name assigned to the drug by the US
adopted name council and each drug only has one
-this name is usually less complicated, and many health care providers will use this name
-many generic names with have will have a common ending or syllable in their generic name
What is the trade name (or brand name) of a drug? - correct answer ✔✔-the name assigned by
the company marketing the drug
-usually easy to remember and pronounce
-companies have proprietary rights to the drug for 17 years, and after 17 years other companies
can sell a generic equivalent of the drug (sometimes using a different trade name)
What drugs are more readily absorbed in the GI membrane, and why? - correct answer
✔✔Drugs that are lipid (fat) soluble are absorbed better than water soluble drugs because the
GI membrane is compromised of fat and protein.
What four process occur in the pharmacokinetic phase? - correct answer ✔✔-absorption
-distribution
-metabolism
-excretion
What factors cause the drug to be readily absorbed from the GI tract? - correct answer ✔✔-GI
membrane is comprised of fat and protein so drugs that are lipid soluble are more readily
absorbed
-nonionized (no charge) are more readily absorbed than highly ionized drugs
-the alkaline environment of the small intestine will absorb alkaline drugs more readily
, Which route of administration will result in the highest bioavailability? - correct answer ✔✔IV
route is usually 100% availability
If a patient is taking three drugs that are 80%, 90%, and 99% protein bound, what factors will
increase the risk for toxicity from these drugs? - correct answer ✔✔-low protein (mainly
albumin) in the blood leaves less binding sites for the drugs to there are more drugs free in the
blood leading to toxicty
Why is an overdose of acetaminophen (Tylenol) life-threatening? - correct answer ✔✔when
metabolized it becomes toxic to the liver in large doses
What three types of drugs will be excreted by the kidney? - correct answer ✔✔-free unbound
drugs
-water soluble drugs
-unchanged drugs
What will increase the excretion of an alkaline drug in the urine? - correct answer ✔✔-acidic
urine promotes the excretion of weak bases
-to acidify the urine, cranberry juice can be given and to alkalinize the urine, sodium
bicarbonate can be given for overdose of aspirin
How often per day would a drug with a long-half life be given - correct answer ✔✔given once a
day to prevent excessive accumulation in the body
When will the patient start feeling the effects of the drug (at the onset, peak, or duration)?
When should the nurse assess the patient to see how effective the drug has been (onset, peak
or duration)? - correct answer ✔✔-the patient will start feeling the effect at onset
-the nurse should assess the patient at the peak
When is the trough level? - correct answer ✔✔right before the next dose is administered
