NUR 100/NUR100 Exam 3 V1 | Pharmacology Q&A
with Rationale | Fortis College
1. A nurse is preparing to administer an oral medication to a patient. Which pharmacokinetic
process is primarily affected if the patient has just consumed a high-fat meal?
A. Excretion
B. Metabolism
C. Absorption
D. Distribution
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Absorption is the movement of a drug from its site of administration into the
bloodstream. The presence of food, especially high-fat meals, can delay gastric emptying
and alter the rate at which a drug is absorbed. This can result in a delayed onset of action or
decreased bioavailability of the medication.
2. When administering a drug with a high first-pass effect, which route would the nurse
expect the healthcare provider to avoid to ensure maximum bioavailability?
A. Intravenous
B. Transdermal
C. Sublingual
D. Oral
,Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The first-pass effect occurs when a drug is metabolized by the liver before it
reaches systemic circulation. Oral medications travel through the portal vein to the liver,
where a significant portion may be inactivated. Parenteral routes like IV or sublingual
bypass this initial hepatic metabolism, allowing more drug to reach the target tissues.
3. The nurse is caring for a patient with hypoalbuminemia. How does this condition affect the
distribution of a drug that is highly protein-bound?
A. There is an increased risk of drug toxicity due to more free drug in the blood.
B. The drug becomes less effective due to rapid excretion.
C. The drug remains in the vascular space and cannot reach the cells.
D. The metabolism of the drug is significantly accelerated.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: When a drug is highly protein-bound, it attaches to albumin and remains
inactive in the bloodstream. If albumin levels are low, there are fewer binding sites, leading
to an increase in the ‘free’ or active form of the drug. This increase in free drug
concentration significantly raises the risk of adverse effects and toxicity.
4. A healthcare provider prescribes a medication with a half-life of 4 hours. If the nurse
administers a dose at 0800, what percentage of the drug will remain in the body at 1600?
A. 50%
B. 12.5%
, C. 25%
D. 75%
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A half-life is the time required for the concentration of a drug in the body to
decrease by 50%. From 0800 to 1600 is 8 hours, which represents two half-lives (4 hours +
4 hours). After the first half-life, 50% remains; after the second, 25% remains.
5. Which laboratory result is the most important for the nurse to monitor when a patient is
receiving a nephrotoxic medication?
A. Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
B. Serum Creatinine
C. White Blood Cell Count
D. Prothrombin Time (PT)
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Nephrotoxicity refers to the damaging effect of a drug on the kidneys. Serum
creatinine and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) are primary indicators of renal function.
Monitoring these levels allows the nurse to identify early signs of kidney impairment and
prevent permanent damage.
with Rationale | Fortis College
1. A nurse is preparing to administer an oral medication to a patient. Which pharmacokinetic
process is primarily affected if the patient has just consumed a high-fat meal?
A. Excretion
B. Metabolism
C. Absorption
D. Distribution
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Absorption is the movement of a drug from its site of administration into the
bloodstream. The presence of food, especially high-fat meals, can delay gastric emptying
and alter the rate at which a drug is absorbed. This can result in a delayed onset of action or
decreased bioavailability of the medication.
2. When administering a drug with a high first-pass effect, which route would the nurse
expect the healthcare provider to avoid to ensure maximum bioavailability?
A. Intravenous
B. Transdermal
C. Sublingual
D. Oral
,Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The first-pass effect occurs when a drug is metabolized by the liver before it
reaches systemic circulation. Oral medications travel through the portal vein to the liver,
where a significant portion may be inactivated. Parenteral routes like IV or sublingual
bypass this initial hepatic metabolism, allowing more drug to reach the target tissues.
3. The nurse is caring for a patient with hypoalbuminemia. How does this condition affect the
distribution of a drug that is highly protein-bound?
A. There is an increased risk of drug toxicity due to more free drug in the blood.
B. The drug becomes less effective due to rapid excretion.
C. The drug remains in the vascular space and cannot reach the cells.
D. The metabolism of the drug is significantly accelerated.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: When a drug is highly protein-bound, it attaches to albumin and remains
inactive in the bloodstream. If albumin levels are low, there are fewer binding sites, leading
to an increase in the ‘free’ or active form of the drug. This increase in free drug
concentration significantly raises the risk of adverse effects and toxicity.
4. A healthcare provider prescribes a medication with a half-life of 4 hours. If the nurse
administers a dose at 0800, what percentage of the drug will remain in the body at 1600?
A. 50%
B. 12.5%
, C. 25%
D. 75%
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A half-life is the time required for the concentration of a drug in the body to
decrease by 50%. From 0800 to 1600 is 8 hours, which represents two half-lives (4 hours +
4 hours). After the first half-life, 50% remains; after the second, 25% remains.
5. Which laboratory result is the most important for the nurse to monitor when a patient is
receiving a nephrotoxic medication?
A. Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
B. Serum Creatinine
C. White Blood Cell Count
D. Prothrombin Time (PT)
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Nephrotoxicity refers to the damaging effect of a drug on the kidneys. Serum
creatinine and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) are primary indicators of renal function.
Monitoring these levels allows the nurse to identify early signs of kidney impairment and
prevent permanent damage.
