NURS 615 Final exam
questions and verified
answers ( detailed &
arranged to all 20 modules)
ACTUAL EXAM 2026
Module 1: Advanced Pharmacokinetics &
Pharmacodynamics
Questions and Correct Answers
What term describes the study of what the body does to a drug (absorption,
distribution, metabolism, excretion)? Pharmacokinetics
What term describes the study of what a drug does to the body (receptor
binding, signal transduction, physiological effect)? Pharmacodynamics
Which pharmacokinetic process describes the movement of a drug from its
site of administration into the central circulation? Absorption
What hepatic enzyme system is primarily responsible for the oxidative
metabolism of the majority of clinical drugs? Cytochrome P450
(CYP450) system
If a drug induces the CYP3A4 enzyme, what happens to the plasma
concentration of a concurrently administered substrate drug? Decreased
plasma concentration (due to accelerated metabolism)
What parameter defines the time required for the plasma concentration of a
drug to decrease by 50%?
Half-life (
𝑡
,1
/
2
)
How many half-lives does it typically take for a drug administered at constant
intervals to reach steady-state plasma concentration? 4 to 5 half-lives
What is the primary organ responsible for the excretion of water-soluble drug
metabolites? Kidneys
What term refers to the extensive metabolism of an oral drug in the liver and
gut wall before it reaches systemic circulation? First-pass effect
What drug receptor type is characterized by an intrinsic enzymatic activity
upon agonist binding, such as insulin receptors? Catalytic (enzyme-
linked) receptors
Module 2: Cardiovascular Pharmacology
Question Correct Answer
Which antihypertensive class is considered first-line for non-black patients
with hypertension and diabetes due to its renal-protective effects? ACE
inhibitors (or ARBs)
What is the primary mechanism of action of loop diuretics like furosemide?
Inhibition of the Na+/K+/2Cl- cotransporter in the thick ascending limb
of the loop of Henle
Which class of antiarrhythmics is known for blocking potassium channels and
carries risks of pulmonary fibrosis and hepatotoxicity? Class III (e.g.,
Amiodarone)
What serious adverse effect of ACE inhibitors often necessitates switching a
patient to an Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB)? Persistent dry cough
What electrolyte abnormality must be monitored closely when initiating
aldosterone receptor antagonists like spironolactone? Hyperkalemia
What is the primary mechanism of action of statins (HMG-CoA reductase
inhibitors)? Inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase, upregulating hepatic LDL
receptors
, Which cardiac glycoside increases myocardial contractility via Na+/K+-
ATPase inhibition while slowing heart rate? Digoxin
What is the therapeutic serum concentration range for digoxin when treating
heart failure?
0.5
ng/mL
to
0.9
ng/mL
Which medication class is contraindicated in bilateral renal artery stenosis
due to the risk of acute renal failure? ACE inhibitors / ARBs
What life-threatening allergic reaction can occur with ACE inhibitor therapy,
characterized by swelling of the face, tongue, and glottis? Angioedema
Module 3: Pulmonary & Respiratory
Pharmacology
Question Correct Answer
What is the cornerstone first-line long-term controller medication class for
persistent asthma? Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)
Why is it dangerous to prescribe Long-Acting Beta-2 Agonists (LABAs) as
monotherapy for asthma management? Increased risk of severe asthma-
related death without concomitant ICS
What is the primary mechanism of action of short-acting beta-agonists
(SABA) like albuterol? Relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle via beta-2
receptor agonism
Which medication class blocks leukotriene receptors or synthesis to reduce
inflammation in asthma and allergic rhinitis? Leukotriene receptor
antagonists (e.g., Montelukast)
questions and verified
answers ( detailed &
arranged to all 20 modules)
ACTUAL EXAM 2026
Module 1: Advanced Pharmacokinetics &
Pharmacodynamics
Questions and Correct Answers
What term describes the study of what the body does to a drug (absorption,
distribution, metabolism, excretion)? Pharmacokinetics
What term describes the study of what a drug does to the body (receptor
binding, signal transduction, physiological effect)? Pharmacodynamics
Which pharmacokinetic process describes the movement of a drug from its
site of administration into the central circulation? Absorption
What hepatic enzyme system is primarily responsible for the oxidative
metabolism of the majority of clinical drugs? Cytochrome P450
(CYP450) system
If a drug induces the CYP3A4 enzyme, what happens to the plasma
concentration of a concurrently administered substrate drug? Decreased
plasma concentration (due to accelerated metabolism)
What parameter defines the time required for the plasma concentration of a
drug to decrease by 50%?
Half-life (
𝑡
,1
/
2
)
How many half-lives does it typically take for a drug administered at constant
intervals to reach steady-state plasma concentration? 4 to 5 half-lives
What is the primary organ responsible for the excretion of water-soluble drug
metabolites? Kidneys
What term refers to the extensive metabolism of an oral drug in the liver and
gut wall before it reaches systemic circulation? First-pass effect
What drug receptor type is characterized by an intrinsic enzymatic activity
upon agonist binding, such as insulin receptors? Catalytic (enzyme-
linked) receptors
Module 2: Cardiovascular Pharmacology
Question Correct Answer
Which antihypertensive class is considered first-line for non-black patients
with hypertension and diabetes due to its renal-protective effects? ACE
inhibitors (or ARBs)
What is the primary mechanism of action of loop diuretics like furosemide?
Inhibition of the Na+/K+/2Cl- cotransporter in the thick ascending limb
of the loop of Henle
Which class of antiarrhythmics is known for blocking potassium channels and
carries risks of pulmonary fibrosis and hepatotoxicity? Class III (e.g.,
Amiodarone)
What serious adverse effect of ACE inhibitors often necessitates switching a
patient to an Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB)? Persistent dry cough
What electrolyte abnormality must be monitored closely when initiating
aldosterone receptor antagonists like spironolactone? Hyperkalemia
What is the primary mechanism of action of statins (HMG-CoA reductase
inhibitors)? Inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase, upregulating hepatic LDL
receptors
, Which cardiac glycoside increases myocardial contractility via Na+/K+-
ATPase inhibition while slowing heart rate? Digoxin
What is the therapeutic serum concentration range for digoxin when treating
heart failure?
0.5
ng/mL
to
0.9
ng/mL
Which medication class is contraindicated in bilateral renal artery stenosis
due to the risk of acute renal failure? ACE inhibitors / ARBs
What life-threatening allergic reaction can occur with ACE inhibitor therapy,
characterized by swelling of the face, tongue, and glottis? Angioedema
Module 3: Pulmonary & Respiratory
Pharmacology
Question Correct Answer
What is the cornerstone first-line long-term controller medication class for
persistent asthma? Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)
Why is it dangerous to prescribe Long-Acting Beta-2 Agonists (LABAs) as
monotherapy for asthma management? Increased risk of severe asthma-
related death without concomitant ICS
What is the primary mechanism of action of short-acting beta-agonists
(SABA) like albuterol? Relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle via beta-2
receptor agonism
Which medication class blocks leukotriene receptors or synthesis to reduce
inflammation in asthma and allergic rhinitis? Leukotriene receptor
antagonists (e.g., Montelukast)
