NURS 572 Exam Study Questions & answers Latest
Update 2026.
Affinity
The strength of attraction between a drug and its receptor, drugs with high affinity are strongly
attracted to their receptor, drugs with low affinity are weakly contracted. This affinity is reflected
in its potency, high affinity is very potent
Plateau or steady state
When the amount of drug eliminated between doses equals the dose administered, average drug
levels will remain constant and plateau will have been reached.
Repeated doses of equal size cause the drug to increase in body until plateau or steady-state is
obtained; plateau is reached in 4 half lives
First-pass effect
rapid inactivation of certain oral drugs by the liver; if the liver can metabolize the drug quickly it
is rendered inactive with no effect
therapeutic objective of drug therapy
to provide maximum benefit with minimum harm
drug absorption
movement of a drug from its site of administration into the blood
, Rate is influenced by chemical and physical properties and rate of dissolution, surface area,
blood flow, lipid solubility, and pH partitioning
drug distribution
movement of drugs from blood to interstitial space in tissue and onto the cells; determined by
blood flow to tissues; ability to exit vascular systems, ability to enter cells; blood flow
determines rate of distribution
drug metabolism
chemical or enzymatic alteration of drug structure
drug excretion
Removal of drugs from the body via urine, saliva, sweat, saliva, breast milk, expired air
kidney is most important organ for excretion
Loading dose
for drugs with large half-lifes and when plateau must be achieved more quickly a large initial
dose may be administered
Maintenance doses
when plateau is achieved and needs to be maintained with smaller doses
Category A drugs
Remote Risk of Fetal Harm:
Update 2026.
Affinity
The strength of attraction between a drug and its receptor, drugs with high affinity are strongly
attracted to their receptor, drugs with low affinity are weakly contracted. This affinity is reflected
in its potency, high affinity is very potent
Plateau or steady state
When the amount of drug eliminated between doses equals the dose administered, average drug
levels will remain constant and plateau will have been reached.
Repeated doses of equal size cause the drug to increase in body until plateau or steady-state is
obtained; plateau is reached in 4 half lives
First-pass effect
rapid inactivation of certain oral drugs by the liver; if the liver can metabolize the drug quickly it
is rendered inactive with no effect
therapeutic objective of drug therapy
to provide maximum benefit with minimum harm
drug absorption
movement of a drug from its site of administration into the blood
, Rate is influenced by chemical and physical properties and rate of dissolution, surface area,
blood flow, lipid solubility, and pH partitioning
drug distribution
movement of drugs from blood to interstitial space in tissue and onto the cells; determined by
blood flow to tissues; ability to exit vascular systems, ability to enter cells; blood flow
determines rate of distribution
drug metabolism
chemical or enzymatic alteration of drug structure
drug excretion
Removal of drugs from the body via urine, saliva, sweat, saliva, breast milk, expired air
kidney is most important organ for excretion
Loading dose
for drugs with large half-lifes and when plateau must be achieved more quickly a large initial
dose may be administered
Maintenance doses
when plateau is achieved and needs to be maintained with smaller doses
Category A drugs
Remote Risk of Fetal Harm:
