GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING
Pharmacology NSG 100
Exam 3
Practice Question Bank
Fundamentals of Nursing — NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with
Rationales
Comprehensive Review: Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, Drug
Regulation & More
Edition 1 · July 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales 2
NSG 100 · Galen College of Nursing Page 1
,PHARMACOLOGY NSG 100 EXAM 3 PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is.
Category: Pharmacology — Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics & Drug
Regulation
1 What is the FDA definition of a drug?
A A substance recognized for diagnosing, treating, preventing, or mitigating disease,
or any substance other than food intended to affect the structure or function of the
body.
B Only substances used to treat disease.
C Only substances used to prevent disease.
D Only substances other than food.
Why A is correct: The FDA defines a drug as any substance used to diagnose, treat,
prevent, or mitigate disease, or any substance (other than food) intended to affect body
structure or function.
B — This is incomplete.
C — This is incomplete.
D — This is incomplete.
, 2 What is the difference between pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics?
A Pharmacokinetics is how the body processes a drug (ADME), while
pharmacodynamics is how the drug affects the body.
B Pharmacokinetics is how the drug affects the body, while pharmacodynamics is how
the body processes the drug.
C Both terms mean the same thing.
D Pharmacokinetics is drug absorption only.
Why A is correct: Pharmacokinetics is what the body does to the drug (ADME);
pharmacodynamics is what the drug does to the body.
B — This is the reverse of the correct definitions.
C — They are distinct concepts.
D — Pharmacokinetics includes absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.
3 Who assigns the generic name of a drug?
A The FDA
B The United States Adopted Names (USAN) Council
C The DEA
D The pharmaceutical company
Why B is correct: The USAN Council assigns the generic names of drugs.
A — The FDA approves drugs but does not assign generic names.
C — The DEA enforces controlled substance laws.
D — Pharmaceutical companies propose names, but the USAN Council assigns the generic
name.
Pharmacology NSG 100
Exam 3
Practice Question Bank
Fundamentals of Nursing — NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with
Rationales
Comprehensive Review: Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, Drug
Regulation & More
Edition 1 · July 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales 2
NSG 100 · Galen College of Nursing Page 1
,PHARMACOLOGY NSG 100 EXAM 3 PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is.
Category: Pharmacology — Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics & Drug
Regulation
1 What is the FDA definition of a drug?
A A substance recognized for diagnosing, treating, preventing, or mitigating disease,
or any substance other than food intended to affect the structure or function of the
body.
B Only substances used to treat disease.
C Only substances used to prevent disease.
D Only substances other than food.
Why A is correct: The FDA defines a drug as any substance used to diagnose, treat,
prevent, or mitigate disease, or any substance (other than food) intended to affect body
structure or function.
B — This is incomplete.
C — This is incomplete.
D — This is incomplete.
, 2 What is the difference between pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics?
A Pharmacokinetics is how the body processes a drug (ADME), while
pharmacodynamics is how the drug affects the body.
B Pharmacokinetics is how the drug affects the body, while pharmacodynamics is how
the body processes the drug.
C Both terms mean the same thing.
D Pharmacokinetics is drug absorption only.
Why A is correct: Pharmacokinetics is what the body does to the drug (ADME);
pharmacodynamics is what the drug does to the body.
B — This is the reverse of the correct definitions.
C — They are distinct concepts.
D — Pharmacokinetics includes absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.
3 Who assigns the generic name of a drug?
A The FDA
B The United States Adopted Names (USAN) Council
C The DEA
D The pharmaceutical company
Why B is correct: The USAN Council assigns the generic names of drugs.
A — The FDA approves drugs but does not assign generic names.
C — The DEA enforces controlled substance laws.
D — Pharmaceutical companies propose names, but the USAN Council assigns the generic
name.
