NR 508 ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY
MIDTERM EXAM QUESTION BANK
1. Which pharmacokinetic process is most significantly affected by the first-pass effect when
a drug is administered orally?
A. Distribution
B. Excretion
C. Metabolism
D. Absorption
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The first-pass effect refers to the rapid metabolism of a drug in
the liver before it reaches systemic circulation, primarily occurring with oral
administration.
2. A drug has a half-life of 6 hours. If a single dose is administered, approximately how many
hours will it take for 94% of the drug to be eliminated from the body?
A. 24 hours
B. 18 hours
,C. 12 hours
D. 30 hours
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: It takes approximately 4 half-lives to reach 93.75% (rounded to
94%) elimination. 6 hours x 4 = 24 hours.
3. According to the Controlled Substances Act, which schedule of drugs has the highest
potential for abuse while still having an accepted medical use in the United States?
A. Schedule II
B. Schedule I
C. Schedule III
D. Schedule IV
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Schedule II drugs have a high potential for abuse and
physical/psychological dependence but possess accepted medical uses. Schedule I drugs
have no accepted medical use.
4. Which of the following describes an ‘agonist’ drug?
A. A drug that binds to a receptor and produces a biological response
B. A drug that binds to a receptor and prevents activation
C. A drug that decreases the metabolism of another drug
, D. A drug that competes with endogenous ligands for binding sites
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Agonists are drugs that mimic the action of endogenous
molecules by binding to and activating receptors to produce a response.
5. A patient is prescribed Rifampin, a known potent CYP450 inducer. How will this likely affect
a co-administered drug that is a substrate of the same enzyme system?
A. There will be no change in the substrate drug’s metabolism
B. The substrate drug’s serum levels will increase
C. The substrate drug’s half-life will be prolonged
D. The substrate drug’s serum levels will decrease
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Inducers increase the activity of CYP450 enzymes, leading to
faster metabolism and decreased serum levels of substrate drugs.
6. What is the primary rationale for monitoring Serum Creatinine and calculating GFR in
elderly patients prescribed renally cleared medications?
A. To assess for potential liver failure
B. To ensure adequate drug absorption in the GI tract
C. To prevent drug toxicity due to age-related decline in renal function
D. To monitor for drug-induced nephrotic syndrome
MIDTERM EXAM QUESTION BANK
1. Which pharmacokinetic process is most significantly affected by the first-pass effect when
a drug is administered orally?
A. Distribution
B. Excretion
C. Metabolism
D. Absorption
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The first-pass effect refers to the rapid metabolism of a drug in
the liver before it reaches systemic circulation, primarily occurring with oral
administration.
2. A drug has a half-life of 6 hours. If a single dose is administered, approximately how many
hours will it take for 94% of the drug to be eliminated from the body?
A. 24 hours
B. 18 hours
,C. 12 hours
D. 30 hours
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: It takes approximately 4 half-lives to reach 93.75% (rounded to
94%) elimination. 6 hours x 4 = 24 hours.
3. According to the Controlled Substances Act, which schedule of drugs has the highest
potential for abuse while still having an accepted medical use in the United States?
A. Schedule II
B. Schedule I
C. Schedule III
D. Schedule IV
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Schedule II drugs have a high potential for abuse and
physical/psychological dependence but possess accepted medical uses. Schedule I drugs
have no accepted medical use.
4. Which of the following describes an ‘agonist’ drug?
A. A drug that binds to a receptor and produces a biological response
B. A drug that binds to a receptor and prevents activation
C. A drug that decreases the metabolism of another drug
, D. A drug that competes with endogenous ligands for binding sites
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Agonists are drugs that mimic the action of endogenous
molecules by binding to and activating receptors to produce a response.
5. A patient is prescribed Rifampin, a known potent CYP450 inducer. How will this likely affect
a co-administered drug that is a substrate of the same enzyme system?
A. There will be no change in the substrate drug’s metabolism
B. The substrate drug’s serum levels will increase
C. The substrate drug’s half-life will be prolonged
D. The substrate drug’s serum levels will decrease
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Inducers increase the activity of CYP450 enzymes, leading to
faster metabolism and decreased serum levels of substrate drugs.
6. What is the primary rationale for monitoring Serum Creatinine and calculating GFR in
elderly patients prescribed renally cleared medications?
A. To assess for potential liver failure
B. To ensure adequate drug absorption in the GI tract
C. To prevent drug toxicity due to age-related decline in renal function
D. To monitor for drug-induced nephrotic syndrome
