Pharmacology Exam 1 (Fall 2026)
100 Practice Questions, Answers & Detailed Rationales
Pharmacodynamics (Agonists/Antagonists)
1. A nurse is administering a drug with a high 'first-pass effect.' Which route
of administration would be least effective for this drug?
A. Intravenous (IV)
B. Oral (PO)
C. Sublingual (SL)
D. Intramuscular (IM)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Drugs taken orally travel through the portal vein to the liver, where
they are extensively metabolized before reaching systemic circulation (first-pass
effect). IV, SL, and IM routes bypass this initial hepatic metabolism.
Medication Dosage Calculations
2. The nurse is preparing to administer a medication that is an 'Antagonist.'
How should the nurse explain the action of this drug?
A. It mimics the body's natural response.
B. It binds to a receptor and prevents a response.
C. It enhances the effect of other medications.
D. It speeds up the metabolism of other drugs.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An antagonist binds to a receptor site and blocks the endogenous
chemicals or other drugs from attaching, effectively preventing a biological
response.
Pharmacology Practice - Page 1
,Medication Safety & Legal (Scheduled Drugs)
3. A provider orders 500 mg of a medication. The pharmacy provides the
medication in 250 mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer?
A. 0.5 tablet
B. 1 tablet
C. 2 tablets
D. 3 tablets
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Dosage calculation: 500 mg (Desired) / 250 mg (Have) = 2 tablets.
Autonomic Nervous System (Adrenergics/Cholinergics)
4. A client is receiving a cholinergic medication. Which side effect should the
nurse monitor for?
A. Dry mouth
B. Tachycardia
C. Increased salivation and sweating
D. Constipation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cholinergic drugs stimulate the 'Rest and Digest' system
(Parasympathetic), which increases secretions (salivation, lacrimation, urination,
defecation - SLUDGE).
Anti-infectives & Antibiotics
5. A nurse is checking the 'trough level' for a client receiving Vancomycin.
When should the nurse draw the blood sample?
A. 30 minutes after the dose is finished.
B. Mid-way through the infusion.
C. Immediately before the next dose is administered.
D. 2 hours after administration.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A trough level represents the lowest concentration of the drug in the
blood. It is drawn immediately (usually 30 minutes) before the next scheduled
dose.
Pharmacology Practice - Page 2
,Pain Management (NSAIDS/Opioids)
6. Pharm Question 6: A client is prescribed a drug categorized under Pain
Management (NSAIDS/Opioids). Which nursing action is a priority for safe
administration?
A. Verify the client's identity using two identifiers
B. Monitor for therapeutic versus toxic levels
C. Educate the client on potential side effects
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Safe medication administration for Pain Management (NSAIDS/
Opioids) involves correct identification, monitoring for efficacy and toxicity, and
ensuring the client understands the therapy.
Pharmacology across the Lifespan
7. Pharm Question 7: A client is prescribed a drug categorized under
Pharmacology across the Lifespan. Which nursing action is a priority for safe
administration?
A. Verify the client's identity using two identifiers
B. Monitor for therapeutic versus toxic levels
C. Educate the client on potential side effects
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Safe medication administration for Pharmacology across the
Lifespan involves correct identification, monitoring for efficacy and toxicity, and
ensuring the client understands the therapy.
Pharmacology Practice - Page 3
, Pharmacokinetics (ADME)
8. Pharm Question 8: A client is prescribed a drug categorized under
Pharmacokinetics (ADME). Which nursing action is a priority for safe
administration?
A. Verify the client's identity using two identifiers
B. Monitor for therapeutic versus toxic levels
C. Educate the client on potential side effects
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Safe medication administration for Pharmacokinetics (ADME)
involves correct identification, monitoring for efficacy and toxicity, and ensuring
the client understands the therapy.
Pharmacodynamics (Agonists/Antagonists)
9. Pharm Question 9: A client is prescribed a drug categorized under
Pharmacodynamics (Agonists/Antagonists). Which nursing action is a priority
for safe administration?
A. Verify the client's identity using two identifiers
B. Monitor for therapeutic versus toxic levels
C. Educate the client on potential side effects
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Safe medication administration for Pharmacodynamics (Agonists/
Antagonists) involves correct identification, monitoring for efficacy and toxicity,
and ensuring the client understands the therapy.
Pharmacology Practice - Page 4
100 Practice Questions, Answers & Detailed Rationales
Pharmacodynamics (Agonists/Antagonists)
1. A nurse is administering a drug with a high 'first-pass effect.' Which route
of administration would be least effective for this drug?
A. Intravenous (IV)
B. Oral (PO)
C. Sublingual (SL)
D. Intramuscular (IM)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Drugs taken orally travel through the portal vein to the liver, where
they are extensively metabolized before reaching systemic circulation (first-pass
effect). IV, SL, and IM routes bypass this initial hepatic metabolism.
Medication Dosage Calculations
2. The nurse is preparing to administer a medication that is an 'Antagonist.'
How should the nurse explain the action of this drug?
A. It mimics the body's natural response.
B. It binds to a receptor and prevents a response.
C. It enhances the effect of other medications.
D. It speeds up the metabolism of other drugs.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An antagonist binds to a receptor site and blocks the endogenous
chemicals or other drugs from attaching, effectively preventing a biological
response.
Pharmacology Practice - Page 1
,Medication Safety & Legal (Scheduled Drugs)
3. A provider orders 500 mg of a medication. The pharmacy provides the
medication in 250 mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer?
A. 0.5 tablet
B. 1 tablet
C. 2 tablets
D. 3 tablets
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Dosage calculation: 500 mg (Desired) / 250 mg (Have) = 2 tablets.
Autonomic Nervous System (Adrenergics/Cholinergics)
4. A client is receiving a cholinergic medication. Which side effect should the
nurse monitor for?
A. Dry mouth
B. Tachycardia
C. Increased salivation and sweating
D. Constipation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cholinergic drugs stimulate the 'Rest and Digest' system
(Parasympathetic), which increases secretions (salivation, lacrimation, urination,
defecation - SLUDGE).
Anti-infectives & Antibiotics
5. A nurse is checking the 'trough level' for a client receiving Vancomycin.
When should the nurse draw the blood sample?
A. 30 minutes after the dose is finished.
B. Mid-way through the infusion.
C. Immediately before the next dose is administered.
D. 2 hours after administration.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A trough level represents the lowest concentration of the drug in the
blood. It is drawn immediately (usually 30 minutes) before the next scheduled
dose.
Pharmacology Practice - Page 2
,Pain Management (NSAIDS/Opioids)
6. Pharm Question 6: A client is prescribed a drug categorized under Pain
Management (NSAIDS/Opioids). Which nursing action is a priority for safe
administration?
A. Verify the client's identity using two identifiers
B. Monitor for therapeutic versus toxic levels
C. Educate the client on potential side effects
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Safe medication administration for Pain Management (NSAIDS/
Opioids) involves correct identification, monitoring for efficacy and toxicity, and
ensuring the client understands the therapy.
Pharmacology across the Lifespan
7. Pharm Question 7: A client is prescribed a drug categorized under
Pharmacology across the Lifespan. Which nursing action is a priority for safe
administration?
A. Verify the client's identity using two identifiers
B. Monitor for therapeutic versus toxic levels
C. Educate the client on potential side effects
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Safe medication administration for Pharmacology across the
Lifespan involves correct identification, monitoring for efficacy and toxicity, and
ensuring the client understands the therapy.
Pharmacology Practice - Page 3
, Pharmacokinetics (ADME)
8. Pharm Question 8: A client is prescribed a drug categorized under
Pharmacokinetics (ADME). Which nursing action is a priority for safe
administration?
A. Verify the client's identity using two identifiers
B. Monitor for therapeutic versus toxic levels
C. Educate the client on potential side effects
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Safe medication administration for Pharmacokinetics (ADME)
involves correct identification, monitoring for efficacy and toxicity, and ensuring
the client understands the therapy.
Pharmacodynamics (Agonists/Antagonists)
9. Pharm Question 9: A client is prescribed a drug categorized under
Pharmacodynamics (Agonists/Antagonists). Which nursing action is a priority
for safe administration?
A. Verify the client's identity using two identifiers
B. Monitor for therapeutic versus toxic levels
C. Educate the client on potential side effects
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Safe medication administration for Pharmacodynamics (Agonists/
Antagonists) involves correct identification, monitoring for efficacy and toxicity,
and ensuring the client understands the therapy.
Pharmacology Practice - Page 4
