UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA · USA NU 578
GUARANTEED
Pharmacology —
PASS.
Unit 1 Practice
Questions
156 Practice Questions with Rationales
COURSE FOCUS:
Advanced Pharmacology
— Complete Content Review
Edition 1 · August 2026
Prepare · Practice · Pass
Excellence in Nursing Education
EXAM DETAILED HIGH YIELD CONFIDENCE
USA NU 578 · Unit 1 Page 1
,USA NU 578 · UNIT 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 3
2. Basic Principles of Pharmacology (Q1-18) 3
3. Pharmacokinetics (Q19-31) 4
4. Pharmacodynamics (Q32-44) 5
5. Drug Interactions & Toxicity (Q45-61) 6
6. Special Populations (Q62-92) 7
7. Autonomic Nervous System (Q93-120) 9
8. Cholinergic & Anticholinergic Drugs (Q121-138) 10
9. Neuromuscular Blockers (Q139-149) 11
10. Adrenergic & Antiadrenergic Drugs (Q150-156) 12
USA NU 578 · Unit 1 Page 2
,USA NU 578 · UNIT 1 INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is. This guide contains 156 questions covering USA NU 578 Unit 1 —
Pharmacology.
Basic Principles of Pharmacology (Questions 1-18)
1 A nurse is preparing to give an oral dose of drug X to treat a patient's high blood
pressure. After giving the drug, the nurse finds that it not only reduces the blood
pressure without serious harmful effects, but it also causes the patient to have
nausea and headache. Based on this information, which property of an ideal drug is
this drug lacking?
A Effectiveness
B Safety
C Selectivity
D Ease of administration
Why C is correct: The drug is effective in lowering the blood pressure and safe in that it
does not cause harmful effects. However, as do most drugs, it causes other effects besides
the one response desired; therefore, it lacks selectivity. The oral form provides ease of
administration.
A — The drug is effective in lowering blood pressure.
B — The drug does not cause serious harmful effects.
D — The oral form provides ease of administration.
, 2 The nurse is preparing to give a drug with certain properties. Which property of the
drug is the most compelling indication that it should not be given?
A The drug produces an unwanted side effect.
B The drug is difficult to administer.
C The drug's effects are reversible.
D The drug is not effective for its intended purpose.
Why D is correct: If a drug is not effective, there is no justification for giving it. Some drugs
may be given even though they produce unwanted side effects or are difficult to administer.
Reversible action is a desired property for most drugs.
A — Side effects may be acceptable if benefits outweigh risks.
B — Difficult administration does not preclude use.
C — Reversibility is a desired property.
3 Why is it important for drugs to have ease of administration?
A Fewer administration errors
B Less risk of side effects
C Greater chemical stability
D Greater likelihood of reversibility
Why A is correct: Ease of administration increases convenience and adherence and can
reduce administration errors. Ease of administration is not related to side effects, chemical
stability, or reversibility.
B — Ease of administration does not affect side effect risk.
C — Chemical stability is unrelated to ease of administration.
D — Reversibility is unrelated to ease of administration.
GUARANTEED
Pharmacology —
PASS.
Unit 1 Practice
Questions
156 Practice Questions with Rationales
COURSE FOCUS:
Advanced Pharmacology
— Complete Content Review
Edition 1 · August 2026
Prepare · Practice · Pass
Excellence in Nursing Education
EXAM DETAILED HIGH YIELD CONFIDENCE
USA NU 578 · Unit 1 Page 1
,USA NU 578 · UNIT 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 3
2. Basic Principles of Pharmacology (Q1-18) 3
3. Pharmacokinetics (Q19-31) 4
4. Pharmacodynamics (Q32-44) 5
5. Drug Interactions & Toxicity (Q45-61) 6
6. Special Populations (Q62-92) 7
7. Autonomic Nervous System (Q93-120) 9
8. Cholinergic & Anticholinergic Drugs (Q121-138) 10
9. Neuromuscular Blockers (Q139-149) 11
10. Adrenergic & Antiadrenergic Drugs (Q150-156) 12
USA NU 578 · Unit 1 Page 2
,USA NU 578 · UNIT 1 INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is. This guide contains 156 questions covering USA NU 578 Unit 1 —
Pharmacology.
Basic Principles of Pharmacology (Questions 1-18)
1 A nurse is preparing to give an oral dose of drug X to treat a patient's high blood
pressure. After giving the drug, the nurse finds that it not only reduces the blood
pressure without serious harmful effects, but it also causes the patient to have
nausea and headache. Based on this information, which property of an ideal drug is
this drug lacking?
A Effectiveness
B Safety
C Selectivity
D Ease of administration
Why C is correct: The drug is effective in lowering the blood pressure and safe in that it
does not cause harmful effects. However, as do most drugs, it causes other effects besides
the one response desired; therefore, it lacks selectivity. The oral form provides ease of
administration.
A — The drug is effective in lowering blood pressure.
B — The drug does not cause serious harmful effects.
D — The oral form provides ease of administration.
, 2 The nurse is preparing to give a drug with certain properties. Which property of the
drug is the most compelling indication that it should not be given?
A The drug produces an unwanted side effect.
B The drug is difficult to administer.
C The drug's effects are reversible.
D The drug is not effective for its intended purpose.
Why D is correct: If a drug is not effective, there is no justification for giving it. Some drugs
may be given even though they produce unwanted side effects or are difficult to administer.
Reversible action is a desired property for most drugs.
A — Side effects may be acceptable if benefits outweigh risks.
B — Difficult administration does not preclude use.
C — Reversibility is a desired property.
3 Why is it important for drugs to have ease of administration?
A Fewer administration errors
B Less risk of side effects
C Greater chemical stability
D Greater likelihood of reversibility
Why A is correct: Ease of administration increases convenience and adherence and can
reduce administration errors. Ease of administration is not related to side effects, chemical
stability, or reversibility.
B — Ease of administration does not affect side effect risk.
C — Chemical stability is unrelated to ease of administration.
D — Reversibility is unrelated to ease of administration.
