NURS 180 PHARMACOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM
(WEEKS 1-14) QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. Which pharmacokinetic process is primarily affected by the first-pass effect when a drug is
administered orally?
A. Metabolism
B. Excretion
C. Distribution
D. Absorption
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The first-pass effect refers to the rapid hepatic metabolism of a
drug that is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and delivered to the liver via the
portal vein before reaching the systemic circulation.
2. A drug has a half-life of 4 hours. If the initial plasma concentration is 100 mg/L, what will
the concentration be after 12 hours?
A. 50 mg/L
,B. 25 mg/L
C. 12.5 mg/L
D. 6.25 mg/L
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: After one half-life (4h), it is 50. After two (8h), it is 25. After
three (12h), it is 12.5 mg/L.
3. Which receptor activation is primarily responsible for the ‘fight or flight’ response,
specifically causing mydriasis and vasoconstriction?
A. Beta-2
B. Beta-1
C. Alpha-1
D. Muscarinic
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Alpha-1 receptor stimulation causes vasoconstriction, pupil
dilation (mydriasis), and closure of the urinary sphincter.
4. A patient with asthma is prescribed a non-selective beta-blocker for hypertension. Why is
this a major concern?
A. It induces bronchoconstriction by blocking Beta-2 receptors
B. It causes extreme tachycardia
, C. It prevents the breakdown of glucose in the liver
D. It increases the risk of hypertensive crisis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Non-selective beta-blockers block both Beta-1 and Beta-2.
Blocking Beta-2 receptors in the lungs leads to bronchoconstriction, which is dangerous for
asthma patients.
5. What is the primary mechanism of action for Bethanechol?
A. Directly stimulating muscarinic receptors
B. Inhibiting acetylcholinesterase
C. Blocking cholinergic receptors
D. Stimulating alpha-1 receptors
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Bethanechol is a direct-acting cholinergic agonist used to treat
urinary retention by stimulating muscarinic receptors in the bladder.
6. Which medication is the drug of choice for treating a cholinergic crisis?
A. Atropine
B. Pilocarpine
C. Neostigmine
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM
(WEEKS 1-14) QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. Which pharmacokinetic process is primarily affected by the first-pass effect when a drug is
administered orally?
A. Metabolism
B. Excretion
C. Distribution
D. Absorption
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The first-pass effect refers to the rapid hepatic metabolism of a
drug that is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and delivered to the liver via the
portal vein before reaching the systemic circulation.
2. A drug has a half-life of 4 hours. If the initial plasma concentration is 100 mg/L, what will
the concentration be after 12 hours?
A. 50 mg/L
,B. 25 mg/L
C. 12.5 mg/L
D. 6.25 mg/L
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: After one half-life (4h), it is 50. After two (8h), it is 25. After
three (12h), it is 12.5 mg/L.
3. Which receptor activation is primarily responsible for the ‘fight or flight’ response,
specifically causing mydriasis and vasoconstriction?
A. Beta-2
B. Beta-1
C. Alpha-1
D. Muscarinic
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Alpha-1 receptor stimulation causes vasoconstriction, pupil
dilation (mydriasis), and closure of the urinary sphincter.
4. A patient with asthma is prescribed a non-selective beta-blocker for hypertension. Why is
this a major concern?
A. It induces bronchoconstriction by blocking Beta-2 receptors
B. It causes extreme tachycardia
, C. It prevents the breakdown of glucose in the liver
D. It increases the risk of hypertensive crisis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Non-selective beta-blockers block both Beta-1 and Beta-2.
Blocking Beta-2 receptors in the lungs leads to bronchoconstriction, which is dangerous for
asthma patients.
5. What is the primary mechanism of action for Bethanechol?
A. Directly stimulating muscarinic receptors
B. Inhibiting acetylcholinesterase
C. Blocking cholinergic receptors
D. Stimulating alpha-1 receptors
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Bethanechol is a direct-acting cholinergic agonist used to treat
urinary retention by stimulating muscarinic receptors in the bladder.
6. Which medication is the drug of choice for treating a cholinergic crisis?
A. Atropine
B. Pilocarpine
C. Neostigmine
