NURS 180 COMPREHENSIVE
PHARMACOLOGY (WEEKS 1-14)
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient with chronic kidney disease is prescribed a drug with a narrow therapeutic index
that is primarily excreted by the kidneys. Which pharmacokinetic process is most significantly
altered?
A. Absorption
B. Elimination
C. Metabolism
D. Distribution
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Elimination refers to the removal of a drug from the body,
primarily via the kidneys. In chronic kidney disease, reduced renal function leads to
decreased elimination, increasing the risk of toxicity for drugs with narrow therapeutic
windows.
2. When administering a prodrug, the nurse understands that the drug’s effectiveness
depends on which physiological process?
A. First-pass metabolism in the liver
,B. Binding to plasma albumin
C. Gastric acidity for dissolution
D. Active transport across the blood-brain barrier
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: A prodrug is an inactive compound that must be metabolized,
typically by liver enzymes during the first pass, to become its active pharmacological form.
3. A patient is receiving Prazosin, an alpha-1 adrenergic antagonist. Which assessment finding
requires immediate nursing intervention?
A. Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg
B. First-dose orthostatic hypotension
C. Heart rate 110 bpm
D. Nasal congestion
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Prazosin is known for the ‘first-dose phenomenon,’ where
significant orthostatic hypotension can occur, leading to syncope and falls.
4. A patient with myasthenia gravis is prescribed Pyridostigmine. What is the primary
mechanism of action for this medication?
A. Stimulating the release of acetylcholine
B. Blocking muscarinic receptors
, C. Directly activating nicotinic receptors
D. Inhibiting acetylcholinesterase
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Pyridostigmine is a cholinesterase inhibitor that prevents the
breakdown of acetylcholine, increasing its availability at the neuromuscular junction to
improve muscle strength.
5. A patient presents with a suspected cholinergic crisis. Which medication should the nurse
have readily available as the antidote?
A. Physostigmine
B. Atropine
C. Epinephrine
D. Naloxone
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Atropine is a muscarinic antagonist used to reverse the
symptoms of excessive cholinergic stimulation, such as bradycardia and excessive
secretions.
6. A patient taking Benztropine for Parkinson’s disease reports blurred vision and a dry
mouth. How should the nurse interpret these findings?
A. Symptoms of disease progression
PHARMACOLOGY (WEEKS 1-14)
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient with chronic kidney disease is prescribed a drug with a narrow therapeutic index
that is primarily excreted by the kidneys. Which pharmacokinetic process is most significantly
altered?
A. Absorption
B. Elimination
C. Metabolism
D. Distribution
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Elimination refers to the removal of a drug from the body,
primarily via the kidneys. In chronic kidney disease, reduced renal function leads to
decreased elimination, increasing the risk of toxicity for drugs with narrow therapeutic
windows.
2. When administering a prodrug, the nurse understands that the drug’s effectiveness
depends on which physiological process?
A. First-pass metabolism in the liver
,B. Binding to plasma albumin
C. Gastric acidity for dissolution
D. Active transport across the blood-brain barrier
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: A prodrug is an inactive compound that must be metabolized,
typically by liver enzymes during the first pass, to become its active pharmacological form.
3. A patient is receiving Prazosin, an alpha-1 adrenergic antagonist. Which assessment finding
requires immediate nursing intervention?
A. Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg
B. First-dose orthostatic hypotension
C. Heart rate 110 bpm
D. Nasal congestion
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Prazosin is known for the ‘first-dose phenomenon,’ where
significant orthostatic hypotension can occur, leading to syncope and falls.
4. A patient with myasthenia gravis is prescribed Pyridostigmine. What is the primary
mechanism of action for this medication?
A. Stimulating the release of acetylcholine
B. Blocking muscarinic receptors
, C. Directly activating nicotinic receptors
D. Inhibiting acetylcholinesterase
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Pyridostigmine is a cholinesterase inhibitor that prevents the
breakdown of acetylcholine, increasing its availability at the neuromuscular junction to
improve muscle strength.
5. A patient presents with a suspected cholinergic crisis. Which medication should the nurse
have readily available as the antidote?
A. Physostigmine
B. Atropine
C. Epinephrine
D. Naloxone
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Atropine is a muscarinic antagonist used to reverse the
symptoms of excessive cholinergic stimulation, such as bradycardia and excessive
secretions.
6. A patient taking Benztropine for Parkinson’s disease reports blurred vision and a dry
mouth. How should the nurse interpret these findings?
A. Symptoms of disease progression
