CNUR 202 PHARMACOLOGY MIDTERM EXAM REVIEW | COMPLETE NURSING
PHARMACOLOGY STUDY GUIDE, DRUG CLASSES, PRACTICE QUESTIONS & PREP
2026/2027
Pharmaceutics - correct answer ✔✔how dose of meds affects the body
Pharmacokinetics - correct answer ✔✔The process by which drugs are absorbed, distributed
within the body, metabolized, and excreted. Split into 6 groups
1) Absorption: The movement of a drug from its site of administration into the bloodstream for
distribution from the tissues
> **BIOAVAILABILITY** --> extent and rate of body absorbing a drug
>First-pass effect--> first breakdown, concentration of drug is greatly reduced when it reaches
targeted area (migraine example : IV was strong instantly, oral has to pass through and
breakdown many places and effect was weaker and slower)
2) Distribution: Route and Transport
3) Metabolism: biotransformation ex) cytochrome P450 enzymes
4) Excretion: the process where drugs are eliminated ex)kidney
5) Half-life: how long it takes 1/2 of given drug to be eliminated (ex, lasts 4 hours, half life is 2
hours)
6) Loading dose: an initial higher dose of a drug that may be given at the beginning of treatment
Pharmaodynamics - correct answer ✔✔what the drug does to the body, mechanism of action
Pharmacotherapeutics - correct answer ✔✔therapeutic outcomes of drug
antagonist vs agonist - correct answer ✔✔Antagonist: Molecule that inhibits or blocks a
(neurotransmitter's) receptor's action
Agonist: Molecule that increases a (neurotransmitter's) receptor's action
PHARMACOLOGY STUDY GUIDE, DRUG CLASSES, PRACTICE QUESTIONS & PREP
2026/2027
Pharmaceutics - correct answer ✔✔how dose of meds affects the body
Pharmacokinetics - correct answer ✔✔The process by which drugs are absorbed, distributed
within the body, metabolized, and excreted. Split into 6 groups
1) Absorption: The movement of a drug from its site of administration into the bloodstream for
distribution from the tissues
> **BIOAVAILABILITY** --> extent and rate of body absorbing a drug
>First-pass effect--> first breakdown, concentration of drug is greatly reduced when it reaches
targeted area (migraine example : IV was strong instantly, oral has to pass through and
breakdown many places and effect was weaker and slower)
2) Distribution: Route and Transport
3) Metabolism: biotransformation ex) cytochrome P450 enzymes
4) Excretion: the process where drugs are eliminated ex)kidney
5) Half-life: how long it takes 1/2 of given drug to be eliminated (ex, lasts 4 hours, half life is 2
hours)
6) Loading dose: an initial higher dose of a drug that may be given at the beginning of treatment
Pharmaodynamics - correct answer ✔✔what the drug does to the body, mechanism of action
Pharmacotherapeutics - correct answer ✔✔therapeutic outcomes of drug
antagonist vs agonist - correct answer ✔✔Antagonist: Molecule that inhibits or blocks a
(neurotransmitter's) receptor's action
Agonist: Molecule that increases a (neurotransmitter's) receptor's action
