NUR 311 EXAM 1 FLASH CARDS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | COMPLETE
NURSING EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
The study of drug movement throughout the body. - correct answer ✔✔Pharmacokinetics
The cell membrane is composed of what? - correct answer ✔✔A double layer of molecules known as
phospholipids
Name two ions which can pass through channels or pores - correct answer ✔✔Sodium and potassium
Define transport system. Is it selective or non selective? - correct answer ✔✔A system which transports
drugs form one side of a cell membrane to another. Only carries drugs with a particular structure
(selective).
What type of drug can penetrate a cell membrane? - correct answer ✔✔Lipophilic or lipid-soluble
List two types of non-lipid soluble drugs. - correct answer ✔✔Polar molecules and most ions
Define polar molecule. They dissolve well in what solvent? - correct answer ✔✔Molecules which have an
unequal or uneven distribution of electrons yet no net charge. Water.
Define ion. - correct answer ✔✔Atoms which have a net electrical charge.
An acid tends to ionize in what type of environment? A base tends to ionize is what type of
environment? - correct answer ✔✔Base. Acid.
Explain ion trapping or pH partitioning. - correct answer ✔✔When there is a pH gradient between two
sides of a cell membrane, acidic drugs will ionize and stay on the basic side. Basic drugs will ionize and
stay on the acidic side. Ionized drugs do not cross cell membranes.
Define absorption. - correct answer ✔✔The movement of drug from its site of administration into the
blood.
Rapidly dissolving drugs will have what type of onset? - correct answer ✔✔Rapid
An increased surface area for absorption will cause absorption to increase or decrease? - correct answer
✔✔Increase
Drugs are absorbed more rapidly in areas where blood flow is what? - correct answer ✔✔High
What types of drugs are absorbed rapidly through the cell membrane? - correct answer ✔✔Lipophilic or
lipid-soluble
Delayed gastric emptying may delay the absorption of a drug meant to be absorbed where? - correct
answer ✔✔Intestines
,Parenteral drugs refer to routes of administration where? - correct answer ✔✔Outside the GI tract
What is the rate of absorption for intravenous administration? - correct answer ✔✔Instantaneous
What is the barrier to intramuscular absorption? - correct answer ✔✔Capillary wall
What types of drugs are absorbed from intramuscular and subcutaneous sites? - correct answer
✔✔Poorly soluble drugs (water-soluble)
Which route is the safest for drug administration? - correct answer ✔✔Oral
Define chemically equivalent - correct answer ✔✔Drugs contain the same amount of the identical
chemical compound
Define bioavailability - correct answer ✔✔Drugs contain the same amount of the identical chemical
compound and are absorbed at the same rate and to the same extent
Where are enteric-coated drugs meant to dissolve? - correct answer ✔✔Intestine
Why are sustained-release capsules utilized? - correct answer ✔✔Maintain a steady release of the drug
all day
What is the most common mechanism by which drugs enter a cell? - correct answer ✔✔Direct
penetration of the membrane
Should enteric-coated drugs be crushed? Why or why not? - correct answer ✔✔No, the drug would
interact with stomach acids
Why does the p-glycoprotein do? - correct answer ✔✔It is a transmembrane protein which transports
drugs out of the cells back into the blood stream or into lumens such as renal tubules or intestinal
lumens
What is a quaternary ammonium compound? - correct answer ✔✔It is a compound with at least one
nitrogen atom which has four bonds rather than three bonds. It has a positive charge and is unable to
cross most membranes.
How long should a drug be administered intravenously to ensure the lowest serum concentration of the
drugs in the circulation? - correct answer ✔✔Over one minute to fully distribute drug within entire
blood volume
Which of the following items describes the plasma drug level below which therapeutic effects will not
occur?
a. Therapeutic range
b. Onset
c. Minimum effective concentration (MEC)
d. Duration - correct answer ✔✔C (The MEC is the plasma drug level below which therapeutic effects will
not occur.The therapeutic range is the range of drug levels between the minimum effective
, concentration (MEC) and the toxic concentration. Onset is the time that elapses before the patient
shows a response to the drug. Duration is the amount of time that the drug is in the therapeutic range.)
A nurse prepares to administer an oral medication. Which form of the medication would the nurse
expect to have the most rapid onset of action?
a. Liquid
b. Tablet
c. Capsule
d. Gel cap - correct answer ✔✔A (A liquid does not have to dissolve first to allow absorption; therefore,
the onset of action occurs more quickly than with capsules, tablets, or gel caps.)
Which item represents an advantage to using the intravenous (IV) route to deliver medication?
a. Control
b. Convenience
c. Cost
d. Ease - correct answer ✔✔A (The IV route allows precise control over levels of drug in the blood. The
use of an IV route is more difficult and costly and is less convenient than other routes)
Which route of drug administration results in the most rapid absorption?
a. Oral
b. Subcutaneous
c. Intramuscular
d. Intravenous - correct answer ✔✔D (Absorption is defined as movement from the site of entry into the
vascular system. The intravenous route results in instantaneous absorption without any need to cross
membranes.)
The nurse administers 100 mg of drug X by mouth. After the drug moves through the hepatic system,
there is very little active drug left in the general circulation. This illustrates which concept below?
a. Therapeutic range
b. First-pass effect
c. Biologic half-life
d. Plasma protein binding - correct answer ✔✔B (First-pass effect refers to the rapid hepatic inactivation
of certain oral drugs. Drugs that undergo first-pass effect are administered often parenterally.
Therapeutic range is the range of drug level between the minimum effective concentration (MEC) and
the toxic concentration. Biologic half-life is the time required for the amount of drug in the body to
decrease by 50%. Plasma protein binding is involved with transporting drugs through the bloodstream.)
What is the minimum amount of time over which an IV drug should be injected in order to minimize
risk?
a. 10 seconds
b. 30 seconds
c. 60 seconds
d. 30 minutes - correct answer ✔✔C (IV drugs should be injected over at least 1 minute or more,
because all of the blood in the body is circulated about once every minute. This allows the drug to be
diluted in the largest volume of blood possible.)
Which is the most common way for drugs to cross cell membranes?
a. Direct penetration
NURSING EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
The study of drug movement throughout the body. - correct answer ✔✔Pharmacokinetics
The cell membrane is composed of what? - correct answer ✔✔A double layer of molecules known as
phospholipids
Name two ions which can pass through channels or pores - correct answer ✔✔Sodium and potassium
Define transport system. Is it selective or non selective? - correct answer ✔✔A system which transports
drugs form one side of a cell membrane to another. Only carries drugs with a particular structure
(selective).
What type of drug can penetrate a cell membrane? - correct answer ✔✔Lipophilic or lipid-soluble
List two types of non-lipid soluble drugs. - correct answer ✔✔Polar molecules and most ions
Define polar molecule. They dissolve well in what solvent? - correct answer ✔✔Molecules which have an
unequal or uneven distribution of electrons yet no net charge. Water.
Define ion. - correct answer ✔✔Atoms which have a net electrical charge.
An acid tends to ionize in what type of environment? A base tends to ionize is what type of
environment? - correct answer ✔✔Base. Acid.
Explain ion trapping or pH partitioning. - correct answer ✔✔When there is a pH gradient between two
sides of a cell membrane, acidic drugs will ionize and stay on the basic side. Basic drugs will ionize and
stay on the acidic side. Ionized drugs do not cross cell membranes.
Define absorption. - correct answer ✔✔The movement of drug from its site of administration into the
blood.
Rapidly dissolving drugs will have what type of onset? - correct answer ✔✔Rapid
An increased surface area for absorption will cause absorption to increase or decrease? - correct answer
✔✔Increase
Drugs are absorbed more rapidly in areas where blood flow is what? - correct answer ✔✔High
What types of drugs are absorbed rapidly through the cell membrane? - correct answer ✔✔Lipophilic or
lipid-soluble
Delayed gastric emptying may delay the absorption of a drug meant to be absorbed where? - correct
answer ✔✔Intestines
,Parenteral drugs refer to routes of administration where? - correct answer ✔✔Outside the GI tract
What is the rate of absorption for intravenous administration? - correct answer ✔✔Instantaneous
What is the barrier to intramuscular absorption? - correct answer ✔✔Capillary wall
What types of drugs are absorbed from intramuscular and subcutaneous sites? - correct answer
✔✔Poorly soluble drugs (water-soluble)
Which route is the safest for drug administration? - correct answer ✔✔Oral
Define chemically equivalent - correct answer ✔✔Drugs contain the same amount of the identical
chemical compound
Define bioavailability - correct answer ✔✔Drugs contain the same amount of the identical chemical
compound and are absorbed at the same rate and to the same extent
Where are enteric-coated drugs meant to dissolve? - correct answer ✔✔Intestine
Why are sustained-release capsules utilized? - correct answer ✔✔Maintain a steady release of the drug
all day
What is the most common mechanism by which drugs enter a cell? - correct answer ✔✔Direct
penetration of the membrane
Should enteric-coated drugs be crushed? Why or why not? - correct answer ✔✔No, the drug would
interact with stomach acids
Why does the p-glycoprotein do? - correct answer ✔✔It is a transmembrane protein which transports
drugs out of the cells back into the blood stream or into lumens such as renal tubules or intestinal
lumens
What is a quaternary ammonium compound? - correct answer ✔✔It is a compound with at least one
nitrogen atom which has four bonds rather than three bonds. It has a positive charge and is unable to
cross most membranes.
How long should a drug be administered intravenously to ensure the lowest serum concentration of the
drugs in the circulation? - correct answer ✔✔Over one minute to fully distribute drug within entire
blood volume
Which of the following items describes the plasma drug level below which therapeutic effects will not
occur?
a. Therapeutic range
b. Onset
c. Minimum effective concentration (MEC)
d. Duration - correct answer ✔✔C (The MEC is the plasma drug level below which therapeutic effects will
not occur.The therapeutic range is the range of drug levels between the minimum effective
, concentration (MEC) and the toxic concentration. Onset is the time that elapses before the patient
shows a response to the drug. Duration is the amount of time that the drug is in the therapeutic range.)
A nurse prepares to administer an oral medication. Which form of the medication would the nurse
expect to have the most rapid onset of action?
a. Liquid
b. Tablet
c. Capsule
d. Gel cap - correct answer ✔✔A (A liquid does not have to dissolve first to allow absorption; therefore,
the onset of action occurs more quickly than with capsules, tablets, or gel caps.)
Which item represents an advantage to using the intravenous (IV) route to deliver medication?
a. Control
b. Convenience
c. Cost
d. Ease - correct answer ✔✔A (The IV route allows precise control over levels of drug in the blood. The
use of an IV route is more difficult and costly and is less convenient than other routes)
Which route of drug administration results in the most rapid absorption?
a. Oral
b. Subcutaneous
c. Intramuscular
d. Intravenous - correct answer ✔✔D (Absorption is defined as movement from the site of entry into the
vascular system. The intravenous route results in instantaneous absorption without any need to cross
membranes.)
The nurse administers 100 mg of drug X by mouth. After the drug moves through the hepatic system,
there is very little active drug left in the general circulation. This illustrates which concept below?
a. Therapeutic range
b. First-pass effect
c. Biologic half-life
d. Plasma protein binding - correct answer ✔✔B (First-pass effect refers to the rapid hepatic inactivation
of certain oral drugs. Drugs that undergo first-pass effect are administered often parenterally.
Therapeutic range is the range of drug level between the minimum effective concentration (MEC) and
the toxic concentration. Biologic half-life is the time required for the amount of drug in the body to
decrease by 50%. Plasma protein binding is involved with transporting drugs through the bloodstream.)
What is the minimum amount of time over which an IV drug should be injected in order to minimize
risk?
a. 10 seconds
b. 30 seconds
c. 60 seconds
d. 30 minutes - correct answer ✔✔C (IV drugs should be injected over at least 1 minute or more,
because all of the blood in the body is circulated about once every minute. This allows the drug to be
diluted in the largest volume of blood possible.)
Which is the most common way for drugs to cross cell membranes?
a. Direct penetration
