NURS 251 Module 2 Exam V1 | NURS 251
Module 2 Exam – Pharmacology | Portage |
Q&A with Rationale (Portage NURS 251
Module 2 Exam)
1. A nurse is preparing to administer an intravenous (IV) medication. What is the expected
bioavailability of a drug administered via this route?
A. 0%
B. 100%
C. 75%
D. 50%
Answer: B
Rationale: Intravenous administration allows the drug to enter the systemic circulation
directly without the need for absorption. This results in a bioavailability of 100%, as the
entire dose reaches the bloodstream immediately. The examiner notes that this route is
preferred when rapid onset of action is clinically necessary.
2. The ‘first-pass effect’ primarily refers to the metabolism of a drug by which organ before it
reaches systemic circulation?
A. Liver
B. Kidneys
,C. Lungs
D. Stomach
Answer: A
Rationale: The first-pass effect occurs when an oral medication is absorbed from the GI
tract and carried to the liver via the portal vein. During this passage, the liver may
metabolize a significant portion of the drug, reducing its active concentration. Clinicians
must consider this effect when determining oral vs. parenteral dosing requirements.
3. A patient has a low serum albumin level. How does this condition affect the distribution of
a drug that is highly protein-bound?
A. There is an increase in the free, active drug level.
B. The drug becomes less effective.
C. The drug is excreted more rapidly.
D. The drug remains trapped in the vascular space.
Answer: A
Rationale: Albumin is the primary protein to which drugs bind in the bloodstream; only
unbound drugs are pharmacologically active. When albumin levels are low, there are fewer
binding sites, leading to higher concentrations of free drug. The examiner emphasizes that
this increases the risk of drug toxicity in patients with malnutrition or liver disease.
, 4. Which cytochrome P450 (CYP450) process results in a decreased pharmacological effect of
a drug due to faster metabolism?
A. Enzyme Induction
B. Enzyme Inhibition
C. Competitive Binding
D. First-order Kinetics
Answer: A
Rationale: Enzyme induction occurs when a drug stimulates the liver to produce more
metabolic enzymes. This process accelerates the metabolism of the drug itself or other
drugs, leading to lower plasma levels and reduced therapeutic effects. The examiner notes
that higher doses may be required to maintain efficacy in the presence of an inducer.
5. A drug has a half-life of 6 hours. If the patient takes a single 100 mg dose, how much drug
will remain in the body after 12 hours?
A. 50 mg
B. 12.5 mg
C. 25 mg
D. 0 mg
Answer: C
Module 2 Exam – Pharmacology | Portage |
Q&A with Rationale (Portage NURS 251
Module 2 Exam)
1. A nurse is preparing to administer an intravenous (IV) medication. What is the expected
bioavailability of a drug administered via this route?
A. 0%
B. 100%
C. 75%
D. 50%
Answer: B
Rationale: Intravenous administration allows the drug to enter the systemic circulation
directly without the need for absorption. This results in a bioavailability of 100%, as the
entire dose reaches the bloodstream immediately. The examiner notes that this route is
preferred when rapid onset of action is clinically necessary.
2. The ‘first-pass effect’ primarily refers to the metabolism of a drug by which organ before it
reaches systemic circulation?
A. Liver
B. Kidneys
,C. Lungs
D. Stomach
Answer: A
Rationale: The first-pass effect occurs when an oral medication is absorbed from the GI
tract and carried to the liver via the portal vein. During this passage, the liver may
metabolize a significant portion of the drug, reducing its active concentration. Clinicians
must consider this effect when determining oral vs. parenteral dosing requirements.
3. A patient has a low serum albumin level. How does this condition affect the distribution of
a drug that is highly protein-bound?
A. There is an increase in the free, active drug level.
B. The drug becomes less effective.
C. The drug is excreted more rapidly.
D. The drug remains trapped in the vascular space.
Answer: A
Rationale: Albumin is the primary protein to which drugs bind in the bloodstream; only
unbound drugs are pharmacologically active. When albumin levels are low, there are fewer
binding sites, leading to higher concentrations of free drug. The examiner emphasizes that
this increases the risk of drug toxicity in patients with malnutrition or liver disease.
, 4. Which cytochrome P450 (CYP450) process results in a decreased pharmacological effect of
a drug due to faster metabolism?
A. Enzyme Induction
B. Enzyme Inhibition
C. Competitive Binding
D. First-order Kinetics
Answer: A
Rationale: Enzyme induction occurs when a drug stimulates the liver to produce more
metabolic enzymes. This process accelerates the metabolism of the drug itself or other
drugs, leading to lower plasma levels and reduced therapeutic effects. The examiner notes
that higher doses may be required to maintain efficacy in the presence of an inducer.
5. A drug has a half-life of 6 hours. If the patient takes a single 100 mg dose, how much drug
will remain in the body after 12 hours?
A. 50 mg
B. 12.5 mg
C. 25 mg
D. 0 mg
Answer: C
