,NUR 210 Exam 1 | Principles of Pharmacology
(2026) Q&A | Galen College
1. Which term describes what the body does to a drug, including absorption,
distribution, metabolism, and excretion?
A) Pharmacokinetics
B) Pharmacodynamics
C) Pharmacotherapeutics
D) Pharmacogenetics
Correct Answer: Pharmacokinetics
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics (ADME) describes drug movement through the
body. Pharmacodynamics studies drug effects on the body.
Pharmacotherapeutics is the use of drugs to treat disease.
2. The primary site of drug absorption in the gastrointestinal tract is the:
A) Stomach
B) Small intestine
C) Large intestine
D) Esophagus
Correct Answer: Small intestine
,Rationale: The small intestine has a large surface area and rich blood supply,
making it the primary site for absorption of most oral medications. The stomach
absorbs some drugs, but the small intestine is the major site.
3. The first‑pass effect refers to metabolism of a drug in which organ before it
reaches systemic circulation?
A) Kidney
B) Lungs
C) Liver
D) Spleen
Correct Answer: Liver
Rationale: After oral administration, drugs are absorbed from the GI tract and
transported via the portal vein to the liver, where they may be extensively
metabolized before reaching the rest of the body.
4. The primary route of drug excretion is through the:
A) Lungs
B) Skin
C) Feces
D) Kidneys
Correct Answer: Kidneys
, Rationale: The kidneys filter blood and excrete drugs and metabolites in urine.
Renal function tests (creatinine, BUN, GFR) are used to assess excretion
capability. Other routes include bile, lungs, and sweat.
5. Which term refers to the percentage of an administered drug that reaches
systemic circulation unchanged?
A) Bioavailability
B) Half‑life
C) Therapeutic index
D) Loading dose
Correct Answer: Bioavailability
Rationale: Bioavailability is affected by absorption and first‑pass metabolism. IV
drugs have 100% bioavailability; oral drugs often have less. The other terms
describe different pharmacokinetic properties.
6. The ratio between the toxic and therapeutic concentrations of a drug is called
the:
A) Therapeutic index
B) Peak level
C) Trough level
D) Half‑life
Correct Answer: Therapeutic index
(2026) Q&A | Galen College
1. Which term describes what the body does to a drug, including absorption,
distribution, metabolism, and excretion?
A) Pharmacokinetics
B) Pharmacodynamics
C) Pharmacotherapeutics
D) Pharmacogenetics
Correct Answer: Pharmacokinetics
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics (ADME) describes drug movement through the
body. Pharmacodynamics studies drug effects on the body.
Pharmacotherapeutics is the use of drugs to treat disease.
2. The primary site of drug absorption in the gastrointestinal tract is the:
A) Stomach
B) Small intestine
C) Large intestine
D) Esophagus
Correct Answer: Small intestine
,Rationale: The small intestine has a large surface area and rich blood supply,
making it the primary site for absorption of most oral medications. The stomach
absorbs some drugs, but the small intestine is the major site.
3. The first‑pass effect refers to metabolism of a drug in which organ before it
reaches systemic circulation?
A) Kidney
B) Lungs
C) Liver
D) Spleen
Correct Answer: Liver
Rationale: After oral administration, drugs are absorbed from the GI tract and
transported via the portal vein to the liver, where they may be extensively
metabolized before reaching the rest of the body.
4. The primary route of drug excretion is through the:
A) Lungs
B) Skin
C) Feces
D) Kidneys
Correct Answer: Kidneys
, Rationale: The kidneys filter blood and excrete drugs and metabolites in urine.
Renal function tests (creatinine, BUN, GFR) are used to assess excretion
capability. Other routes include bile, lungs, and sweat.
5. Which term refers to the percentage of an administered drug that reaches
systemic circulation unchanged?
A) Bioavailability
B) Half‑life
C) Therapeutic index
D) Loading dose
Correct Answer: Bioavailability
Rationale: Bioavailability is affected by absorption and first‑pass metabolism. IV
drugs have 100% bioavailability; oral drugs often have less. The other terms
describe different pharmacokinetic properties.
6. The ratio between the toxic and therapeutic concentrations of a drug is called
the:
A) Therapeutic index
B) Peak level
C) Trough level
D) Half‑life
Correct Answer: Therapeutic index
