NURS 212 COMPLETE EXAM STUDY GUIDE
2026 CLINICAL FOUNDATIONS QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
◉ Pharmacodynamics
Answer: The study of what the drug does to the body
◉ Pharmacokinetics
Answer: -Study of drug movement throughout the body
-What the body does to the drug
◉ MOA
Answer: -Mechanism of Action
-The physiological process the drug induces or inhibits to cause the
intended effect
◉ What factors alter the med's pharmacokinetics or
pharmacodynamics
Answer: Patient physiology (age, genetics, weight, organ function),
disease states (liver/kidney disease), other drugs (interactions,
food), and the drug's own properties (formulation, route)
,◉ Know what alters the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of
special population
Answer: Reduced kidney/liver function, altered body composition,
immature/aged enzymes, genetics, or disease states
◉ MOA, HOW it works, WHY it works, WHAT we should assess, teach
(Implement), and expect (assess/evaluate)
Answer: -MOA is the mechanism of action so what the drug does
-The MOA explains step by step what happens to the body after
administration
-The drug works by improving the diseased persons condition
-We should asses vital signs, labs, allergies etc.
-We should teach the patient how to administer the drug and the
side effects it could case
-We should expect the drug to do its intended results, however if it
doesn't the nurse should revaluate
◉ Absorption
Answer: Drug transfer from admin site to circulation
◉ Distribution
Answer: Transport of drugs through the body after they are
absorbed
, ◉ Metabolism
Answer: Chemically altering a drug so it can be excreted
◉ Excretion
Answer: Drug leaves the body
◉ Factors that influence absorption
Answer: Rate and extent
◉ Factors that influence distribution
Answer: -Blood flow
-Free drug bioavailability
-Barriers
-Receptor site affinity
◉ Factors that influence metabolism
Answer: -Route of administration
-Enzymatic breakdown
-If the drug is protein bound
◉ Factors that influence excretion
2026 CLINICAL FOUNDATIONS QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
◉ Pharmacodynamics
Answer: The study of what the drug does to the body
◉ Pharmacokinetics
Answer: -Study of drug movement throughout the body
-What the body does to the drug
◉ MOA
Answer: -Mechanism of Action
-The physiological process the drug induces or inhibits to cause the
intended effect
◉ What factors alter the med's pharmacokinetics or
pharmacodynamics
Answer: Patient physiology (age, genetics, weight, organ function),
disease states (liver/kidney disease), other drugs (interactions,
food), and the drug's own properties (formulation, route)
,◉ Know what alters the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of
special population
Answer: Reduced kidney/liver function, altered body composition,
immature/aged enzymes, genetics, or disease states
◉ MOA, HOW it works, WHY it works, WHAT we should assess, teach
(Implement), and expect (assess/evaluate)
Answer: -MOA is the mechanism of action so what the drug does
-The MOA explains step by step what happens to the body after
administration
-The drug works by improving the diseased persons condition
-We should asses vital signs, labs, allergies etc.
-We should teach the patient how to administer the drug and the
side effects it could case
-We should expect the drug to do its intended results, however if it
doesn't the nurse should revaluate
◉ Absorption
Answer: Drug transfer from admin site to circulation
◉ Distribution
Answer: Transport of drugs through the body after they are
absorbed
, ◉ Metabolism
Answer: Chemically altering a drug so it can be excreted
◉ Excretion
Answer: Drug leaves the body
◉ Factors that influence absorption
Answer: Rate and extent
◉ Factors that influence distribution
Answer: -Blood flow
-Free drug bioavailability
-Barriers
-Receptor site affinity
◉ Factors that influence metabolism
Answer: -Route of administration
-Enzymatic breakdown
-If the drug is protein bound
◉ Factors that influence excretion
