NSG 124 Pharmacology Final
Exam Review: 100 Practice
Questions with verified Answers
Graded A+ (2026/ 2027)
Mastering Pharmacokinetics, Drug Classifications, and Patient Safety for NCLEX Success
Question 1: Pharmacokinetics
Q: What is the definition of pharmacokinetics?
• A) The study of drug effects on the body
• B) The study of drug movement through the body (absorption, distribution,
metabolism, excretion)
• C) The study of drug interactions
• D) The study of drug toxicity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics describes what the body does to the drug,
encompassing the four processes of ADME: Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism,
and Excretion. Pharmacodynamics, in contrast, describes what the drug does to the
body.
Question 2: First-Pass Effect
Q: The "first-pass effect" refers to:
• A) Metabolism of a drug in the liver before it reaches systemic circulation
, • B) The time required for a drug to reach peak concentration
• C) The time required for a drug to be absorbed
• D) The time required for a drug to be distributed to tissues
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Orally administered drugs are absorbed through the GI tract and
transported via the portal vein to the liver, where they undergo metabolism before
entering systemic circulation. This reduces bioavailability. Sublingual and IV routes
bypass the first-pass effect.
Question 3: Digoxin Safety
Q: A nurse is preparing to administer a scheduled dose of digoxin (Lanoxin). Prior to
administration, the nurse assesses the patient's apical pulse and notes a rate of 52
beats per minute. What is the priority nursing action?
• A) Administer the dose as prescribed
• B) Hold the dose, notify the prescriber, and monitor for signs of digoxin
toxicity
• C) Administer half of the prescribed dose and recheck the pulse in 1 hour
• D) Give the dose with a full glass of water
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Digoxin decreases the heart rate. A pulse below 60 bpm (or provider-
specific parameters) is a sign of potential toxicity or bradycardia that requires holding
the medication and notifying the provider. Early signs of digoxin toxicity also include
anorexia, nausea, and vomiting.
,Question 4: Insulin Glargine Patient Education
Q: A patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus is prescribed insulin glargine (Lantus).
Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
• A) "I will inject this medication into the fatty tissue of my abdomen."
• B) "This insulin provides a steady level of insulin over 24 hours."
• C) "I should mix this insulin with my regular insulin before drawing it up."
• D) "I need to rotate my injection sites to prevent lipodystrophy."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Insulin glargine is a long-acting insulin that should never be mixed with
other insulins in the same syringe, as it alters the pharmacokinetic profile and
stability of the solution. It is designed to provide a steady, peakless level of insulin
over approximately 24 hours.
Question 5: Warfarin Dietary Interactions
Q: A patient is prescribed warfarin (Coumadin). The nurse teaches the patient about
dietary interactions. Which food should the patient consume consistently rather than
avoiding?
• A) Grapefruit juice
• B) Leafy green vegetables
• C) Aged cheese
• D) Alcohol
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Leafy green vegetables contain Vitamin K, which antagonizes the effects
of warfarin. Consistent intake maintains stable INR levels, whereas fluctuating intake
can lead to therapeutic failure or bleeding. Patients should not eliminate these foods
but rather keep intake consistent.
, Question 6: Morphine Priority Assessment
Q: A nurse is administering morphine sulfate to a patient for post-operative pain.
Which side effect is the priority to monitor for due to potential life-threatening
complications?
• A) Constipation
• B) Nausea
• C) Respiratory depression
• D) Pruritus
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Opioids suppress the respiratory center in the brain stem. Monitoring
respiratory rate is critical to prevent respiratory arrest, which is the most dangerous
adverse effect of opioid analgesics. Constipation, nausea, and itching are common
but not life-threatening.
Question 7: Lisinopril Monitoring
Q: A patient is taking lisinopril (Prinivil) for hypertension. Which laboratory result
should the nurse monitor periodically while the patient is on this medication?
• A) Serum sodium
• B) Serum potassium
• C) White blood cell count
• D) Platelet count
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: ACE inhibitors like lisinopril inhibit the excretion of potassium, which can
lead to hyperkalemia. Monitoring potassium levels is essential to prevent life-
Exam Review: 100 Practice
Questions with verified Answers
Graded A+ (2026/ 2027)
Mastering Pharmacokinetics, Drug Classifications, and Patient Safety for NCLEX Success
Question 1: Pharmacokinetics
Q: What is the definition of pharmacokinetics?
• A) The study of drug effects on the body
• B) The study of drug movement through the body (absorption, distribution,
metabolism, excretion)
• C) The study of drug interactions
• D) The study of drug toxicity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics describes what the body does to the drug,
encompassing the four processes of ADME: Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism,
and Excretion. Pharmacodynamics, in contrast, describes what the drug does to the
body.
Question 2: First-Pass Effect
Q: The "first-pass effect" refers to:
• A) Metabolism of a drug in the liver before it reaches systemic circulation
, • B) The time required for a drug to reach peak concentration
• C) The time required for a drug to be absorbed
• D) The time required for a drug to be distributed to tissues
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Orally administered drugs are absorbed through the GI tract and
transported via the portal vein to the liver, where they undergo metabolism before
entering systemic circulation. This reduces bioavailability. Sublingual and IV routes
bypass the first-pass effect.
Question 3: Digoxin Safety
Q: A nurse is preparing to administer a scheduled dose of digoxin (Lanoxin). Prior to
administration, the nurse assesses the patient's apical pulse and notes a rate of 52
beats per minute. What is the priority nursing action?
• A) Administer the dose as prescribed
• B) Hold the dose, notify the prescriber, and monitor for signs of digoxin
toxicity
• C) Administer half of the prescribed dose and recheck the pulse in 1 hour
• D) Give the dose with a full glass of water
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Digoxin decreases the heart rate. A pulse below 60 bpm (or provider-
specific parameters) is a sign of potential toxicity or bradycardia that requires holding
the medication and notifying the provider. Early signs of digoxin toxicity also include
anorexia, nausea, and vomiting.
,Question 4: Insulin Glargine Patient Education
Q: A patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus is prescribed insulin glargine (Lantus).
Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
• A) "I will inject this medication into the fatty tissue of my abdomen."
• B) "This insulin provides a steady level of insulin over 24 hours."
• C) "I should mix this insulin with my regular insulin before drawing it up."
• D) "I need to rotate my injection sites to prevent lipodystrophy."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Insulin glargine is a long-acting insulin that should never be mixed with
other insulins in the same syringe, as it alters the pharmacokinetic profile and
stability of the solution. It is designed to provide a steady, peakless level of insulin
over approximately 24 hours.
Question 5: Warfarin Dietary Interactions
Q: A patient is prescribed warfarin (Coumadin). The nurse teaches the patient about
dietary interactions. Which food should the patient consume consistently rather than
avoiding?
• A) Grapefruit juice
• B) Leafy green vegetables
• C) Aged cheese
• D) Alcohol
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Leafy green vegetables contain Vitamin K, which antagonizes the effects
of warfarin. Consistent intake maintains stable INR levels, whereas fluctuating intake
can lead to therapeutic failure or bleeding. Patients should not eliminate these foods
but rather keep intake consistent.
, Question 6: Morphine Priority Assessment
Q: A nurse is administering morphine sulfate to a patient for post-operative pain.
Which side effect is the priority to monitor for due to potential life-threatening
complications?
• A) Constipation
• B) Nausea
• C) Respiratory depression
• D) Pruritus
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Opioids suppress the respiratory center in the brain stem. Monitoring
respiratory rate is critical to prevent respiratory arrest, which is the most dangerous
adverse effect of opioid analgesics. Constipation, nausea, and itching are common
but not life-threatening.
Question 7: Lisinopril Monitoring
Q: A patient is taking lisinopril (Prinivil) for hypertension. Which laboratory result
should the nurse monitor periodically while the patient is on this medication?
• A) Serum sodium
• B) Serum potassium
• C) White blood cell count
• D) Platelet count
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: ACE inhibitors like lisinopril inhibit the excretion of potassium, which can
lead to hyperkalemia. Monitoring potassium levels is essential to prevent life-
