NUR 210 Pharmacology Exams 14 | Latest Update 2026/2027
| 200 Questions and Verified Answers | Galen College
Complete Q&A Guide | A+ Graded
EXAM 1: FOUNDATIONAL PHARMACOLOGY, NURSING PROCESS, CNS DRUGS (Units 13)
1. Which term best describes "what the body does to the drug"?
A) Pharmacodynamics
B) Pharmacotherapeutics
C) Pharmacokinetics
D) Toxicology
Answer: C) Pharmacokinetics
Explanation: Pharmacokinetics is the study of drug movement through the body, encompassing
absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME). Pharmacodynamics is "what the drug does
to the body."
2. The nurse understands that the pharmaceutic phase of drug action involves:
A) Absorption of the drug into the bloodstream
B) Dissolution of the drug in the gastrointestinal tract
C) Distribution of the drug to target tissues
D) Excretion of the drug via the kidneys
Answer: B) Dissolution of the drug in the gastrointestinal tract
,Explanation: The pharmaceutic phase is the first phase of drug action, where the solid drug must
dissolve into a liquid so it can be absorbed. Most oral absorption occurs in the small intestine.
3. A drug that binds to a receptor and produces a biological response is called a(n):
A) Antagonist
B) Agonist
C) Partial agonist
D) Inhibitor
Answer: B) Agonist
Explanation: An agonist binds to a receptor and activates it, producing a biological response. An
antagonist binds to a receptor but blocks it, preventing a response.
4. What is the purpose of a loading dose?
A) Maintain a steady drug level
B) Rapidly achieve a therapeutic drug level
C) Decrease the risk of side effects
D) Allow the drug to be administered less frequently
Answer: B) Rapidly achieve a therapeutic drug level
,Explanation: A loading dose is a large initial dose given to rapidly achieve a therapeutic drug level in the
blood. It is often used for drugs with a long halflife.
5. Which of the following is a component of the nursing process in pharmacology?
A) Assessment of the patient's health history, allergies, and lab values
B) Diagnosis of potential problems such as knowledge deficit or risk for injury
C) Planning, implementation, and evaluation of medication administration
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: The nursing process (ADPIE) includes Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation,
and Evaluation. All options are components of this process in pharmacology.
6. What is the therapeutic range for phenytoin?
A) 510 mcg/mL
B) 1020 mcg/mL
C) 1540 mcg/mL
D) 50100 mcg/mL
Answer: B) 1020 mcg/mL
Explanation: The therapeutic range for phenytoin is 1020 mcg/mL. Levels outside this range increase the
risk of toxicity or inadequate seizure control.
, 7. A patient taking phenytoin should increase their intake of which of the following?
A) Vitamin C and iron
B) Folic acid, calcium, and vitamin D
C) Potassium and magnesium
D) Vitamin B12 and zinc
Answer: B) Folic acid, calcium, and vitamin D
Explanation: Phenytoin can interfere with the absorption of folic acid, calcium, and vitamin D. Patients
should be advised to increase their intake of these nutrients.
8. Which medication is administered by IV to treat status epilepticus?
A) Phenytoin
B) Valproic acid
C) Diazepam
D) Phenobarbital
Answer: C) Diazepam
Explanation: Diazepam (Valium) is administered intravenously to treat status epilepticus, a medical
emergency characterized by prolonged seizures.
| 200 Questions and Verified Answers | Galen College
Complete Q&A Guide | A+ Graded
EXAM 1: FOUNDATIONAL PHARMACOLOGY, NURSING PROCESS, CNS DRUGS (Units 13)
1. Which term best describes "what the body does to the drug"?
A) Pharmacodynamics
B) Pharmacotherapeutics
C) Pharmacokinetics
D) Toxicology
Answer: C) Pharmacokinetics
Explanation: Pharmacokinetics is the study of drug movement through the body, encompassing
absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME). Pharmacodynamics is "what the drug does
to the body."
2. The nurse understands that the pharmaceutic phase of drug action involves:
A) Absorption of the drug into the bloodstream
B) Dissolution of the drug in the gastrointestinal tract
C) Distribution of the drug to target tissues
D) Excretion of the drug via the kidneys
Answer: B) Dissolution of the drug in the gastrointestinal tract
,Explanation: The pharmaceutic phase is the first phase of drug action, where the solid drug must
dissolve into a liquid so it can be absorbed. Most oral absorption occurs in the small intestine.
3. A drug that binds to a receptor and produces a biological response is called a(n):
A) Antagonist
B) Agonist
C) Partial agonist
D) Inhibitor
Answer: B) Agonist
Explanation: An agonist binds to a receptor and activates it, producing a biological response. An
antagonist binds to a receptor but blocks it, preventing a response.
4. What is the purpose of a loading dose?
A) Maintain a steady drug level
B) Rapidly achieve a therapeutic drug level
C) Decrease the risk of side effects
D) Allow the drug to be administered less frequently
Answer: B) Rapidly achieve a therapeutic drug level
,Explanation: A loading dose is a large initial dose given to rapidly achieve a therapeutic drug level in the
blood. It is often used for drugs with a long halflife.
5. Which of the following is a component of the nursing process in pharmacology?
A) Assessment of the patient's health history, allergies, and lab values
B) Diagnosis of potential problems such as knowledge deficit or risk for injury
C) Planning, implementation, and evaluation of medication administration
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: The nursing process (ADPIE) includes Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation,
and Evaluation. All options are components of this process in pharmacology.
6. What is the therapeutic range for phenytoin?
A) 510 mcg/mL
B) 1020 mcg/mL
C) 1540 mcg/mL
D) 50100 mcg/mL
Answer: B) 1020 mcg/mL
Explanation: The therapeutic range for phenytoin is 1020 mcg/mL. Levels outside this range increase the
risk of toxicity or inadequate seizure control.
, 7. A patient taking phenytoin should increase their intake of which of the following?
A) Vitamin C and iron
B) Folic acid, calcium, and vitamin D
C) Potassium and magnesium
D) Vitamin B12 and zinc
Answer: B) Folic acid, calcium, and vitamin D
Explanation: Phenytoin can interfere with the absorption of folic acid, calcium, and vitamin D. Patients
should be advised to increase their intake of these nutrients.
8. Which medication is administered by IV to treat status epilepticus?
A) Phenytoin
B) Valproic acid
C) Diazepam
D) Phenobarbital
Answer: C) Diazepam
Explanation: Diazepam (Valium) is administered intravenously to treat status epilepticus, a medical
emergency characterized by prolonged seizures.
