NUR 100/NUR100 Exam 3 V3 | Pharmacology Q&A
with Rationale | Fortis College
1. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a patient. Which of the following actions
is the priority for ensuring patient safety?
A. Informing the family about the potential side effects.
B. Asking the patient about their preferred time for medication.
C. Reviewing the drug’s mechanism of action in a handbook.
D. Checking the medication label against the MAR three times.
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The primary safety protocol in pharmacology is the triple-check of the
medication label against the Medication Administration Record (MAR). This process helps
prevent errors by ensuring the right drug, dose, and route are verified at three distinct
points: when pulling the med, when preparing it, and at the bedside. Adhering to this
standard practice is a fundamental competency tested at Fortis College.
2. A patient is prescribed a drug that undergoes significant ‘first-pass metabolism.’ Through
which route should the nurse expect this drug to be administered to achieve maximum
bioavailability?
A. Oral
B. Rectal
,C. Intravenous
D. Subcutaneous
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The first-pass effect refers to the rapid hepatic inactivation of certain oral
drugs before they reach the systemic circulation. By administering the medication
intravenously, the drug bypasses the liver and enters the bloodstream directly, ensuring
100% bioavailability. Understanding these pharmacokinetic principles is essential for
predicting drug efficacy and selecting appropriate administration routes.
3. When assessing a patient for a potential adverse reaction to a newly prescribed antibiotic,
which symptom should the nurse identify as a priority?
A. Mild nausea after the first dose
B. Wheezing and shortness of breath
C. A localized rash on the forearm
D. A metallic taste in the mouth
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Wheezing and shortness of breath are clinical indicators of anaphylaxis, a
life-threatening allergic reaction that requires immediate intervention. While nausea and
mild rashes are common side effects, respiratory distress signifies an emergency that could
lead to airway obstruction. Nurses must prioritize physiological stability and airway
patency in pharmacological assessments.
, 4. The nurse is educating a patient on the use of a sublingual medication. Which instruction is
most important to include?
A. Swallow the pill with a full glass of water.
B. Place the tablet under the tongue and let it dissolve.
C. Chew the tablet thoroughly before swallowing.
D. Place the medication in the pouch of the cheek.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Sublingual administration requires the medication to be placed under the
tongue where it is absorbed directly into the systemic circulation via the sublingual
mucosa. Patients must be instructed not to swallow or chew the medication, as this would
expose it to gastric acid and the first-pass effect. Direct absorption through the oral mucosa
allows for rapid onset of action, which is critical for medications like nitroglycerin.
5. Which factor should the nurse consider as the most common cause of impaired drug
excretion in the geriatric population?
A. Increased gastric pH
B. Increased body fat percentage
C. Decreased renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate
D. Decreased liver enzyme activity
Correct Answer: C
with Rationale | Fortis College
1. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a patient. Which of the following actions
is the priority for ensuring patient safety?
A. Informing the family about the potential side effects.
B. Asking the patient about their preferred time for medication.
C. Reviewing the drug’s mechanism of action in a handbook.
D. Checking the medication label against the MAR three times.
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The primary safety protocol in pharmacology is the triple-check of the
medication label against the Medication Administration Record (MAR). This process helps
prevent errors by ensuring the right drug, dose, and route are verified at three distinct
points: when pulling the med, when preparing it, and at the bedside. Adhering to this
standard practice is a fundamental competency tested at Fortis College.
2. A patient is prescribed a drug that undergoes significant ‘first-pass metabolism.’ Through
which route should the nurse expect this drug to be administered to achieve maximum
bioavailability?
A. Oral
B. Rectal
,C. Intravenous
D. Subcutaneous
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The first-pass effect refers to the rapid hepatic inactivation of certain oral
drugs before they reach the systemic circulation. By administering the medication
intravenously, the drug bypasses the liver and enters the bloodstream directly, ensuring
100% bioavailability. Understanding these pharmacokinetic principles is essential for
predicting drug efficacy and selecting appropriate administration routes.
3. When assessing a patient for a potential adverse reaction to a newly prescribed antibiotic,
which symptom should the nurse identify as a priority?
A. Mild nausea after the first dose
B. Wheezing and shortness of breath
C. A localized rash on the forearm
D. A metallic taste in the mouth
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Wheezing and shortness of breath are clinical indicators of anaphylaxis, a
life-threatening allergic reaction that requires immediate intervention. While nausea and
mild rashes are common side effects, respiratory distress signifies an emergency that could
lead to airway obstruction. Nurses must prioritize physiological stability and airway
patency in pharmacological assessments.
, 4. The nurse is educating a patient on the use of a sublingual medication. Which instruction is
most important to include?
A. Swallow the pill with a full glass of water.
B. Place the tablet under the tongue and let it dissolve.
C. Chew the tablet thoroughly before swallowing.
D. Place the medication in the pouch of the cheek.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Sublingual administration requires the medication to be placed under the
tongue where it is absorbed directly into the systemic circulation via the sublingual
mucosa. Patients must be instructed not to swallow or chew the medication, as this would
expose it to gastric acid and the first-pass effect. Direct absorption through the oral mucosa
allows for rapid onset of action, which is critical for medications like nitroglycerin.
5. Which factor should the nurse consider as the most common cause of impaired drug
excretion in the geriatric population?
A. Increased gastric pH
B. Increased body fat percentage
C. Decreased renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate
D. Decreased liver enzyme activity
Correct Answer: C
