Page 1 of 112
NUR 210 | PRINCIPLES OF PHARMACOLOGY | EXAM 1
STUDY GUIDE EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
QUESTIONS DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
NUR 210 | Principles of Pharmacology | Exam 1 Study Guide — Questions
10-Point Exam Coverage Summary
Foundational Principles — Definitions of pharmacology, pharmacotherapeutics, and the
difference between drug classification and indication.
Pharmacokinetics (ADME) — The four phases—absorption, distribution, metabolism, and
excretion.
Pharmacodynamics — Drug-receptor interactions, agonists, antagonists, and the therapeutic
index.
Drug Naming & Classification — Understanding generic vs. trade names, and prototype drugs.
Controlled Substances & Safety — Drug schedules, pregnancy categories, and the Nine Rights
of Medication Administration.
Medication Administration — Routes, dosage calculations, patient education, and the nursing
process.
Lifespan Considerations — Pediatric, geriatric, and pregnancy-related pharmacology.
Drug Interactions & Adverse Effects — CYP450 interactions, side effects, and toxicity.
Nursing Process in Pharmacology — Assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of
medication therapy.
Patient Education & Safety — Teaching patients about medications, adherence, and safety.
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SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES (Questions 1–30)
1. Which term is defined as the application of drugs for the purpose of treating disease and
the treatment of suffering?
A) Pharmacokinetics
B) Pharmacotherapeutics
C) Pharmacodynamics
D) Pharmacognosy
Answer: B
Rationale: Pharmacotherapeutics is the application of drugs for the purpose of treating disease
and the treatment of suffering.
2. What is the study of how various drug forms influence pharmacokinetic and
pharmacodynamic activities?
A) Pharmaceutics
B) Pharmacokinetics
C) Pharmacodynamics
D) Pharmacogenomics
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Answer: A
Rationale: Pharmaceutics is the study of how various drug forms influence pharmacokinetic and
pharmacodynamic activities.
3. Which term describes what the body does to a drug, including absorption, distribution,
metabolism, and excretion?
A) Pharmacodynamics
B) Pharmacokinetics
C) Pharmacotherapeutics
D) Pharmacogenomics
Answer: B
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics describes the movement of drugs through the body, including
absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.
4. Which term refers to the study of the biochemical and physiological effects of drugs on the
body?
A) Pharmacogenetics
B) Pharmacokinetics
C) Pharmacodynamics
D) Pharmacology
Answer: C
Rationale: Pharmacodynamics involves the mechanism of drug action and the relationship
between drug concentration and effect.
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5. Which term means "relating to the healing of disease"?
A) Therapeutic
B) Prophylactic
C) Palliative
D) Diagnostic
Answer: A
Rationale: Therapeutic relates to the healing of disease.
6. What is the mechanism of action of a drug?
A) The way the drug is metabolized by the liver
B) How a drug produces an effect within the body
C) The route of administration
D) The time it takes for the drug to be excreted
Answer: B
Rationale: Mechanism of action is how a drug produces an effect within the body.
7. Which of the following is an example of complementary therapy?
A) Insulin therapy
B) Acupuncture
C) Antibiotic therapy
D) Chemotherapy
Answer: B
Rationale: Examples of complementary therapy include natural plant extracts, herbs, vitamins,
NUR 210 | PRINCIPLES OF PHARMACOLOGY | EXAM 1
STUDY GUIDE EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
QUESTIONS DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
NUR 210 | Principles of Pharmacology | Exam 1 Study Guide — Questions
10-Point Exam Coverage Summary
Foundational Principles — Definitions of pharmacology, pharmacotherapeutics, and the
difference between drug classification and indication.
Pharmacokinetics (ADME) — The four phases—absorption, distribution, metabolism, and
excretion.
Pharmacodynamics — Drug-receptor interactions, agonists, antagonists, and the therapeutic
index.
Drug Naming & Classification — Understanding generic vs. trade names, and prototype drugs.
Controlled Substances & Safety — Drug schedules, pregnancy categories, and the Nine Rights
of Medication Administration.
Medication Administration — Routes, dosage calculations, patient education, and the nursing
process.
Lifespan Considerations — Pediatric, geriatric, and pregnancy-related pharmacology.
Drug Interactions & Adverse Effects — CYP450 interactions, side effects, and toxicity.
Nursing Process in Pharmacology — Assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of
medication therapy.
Patient Education & Safety — Teaching patients about medications, adherence, and safety.
,Page 2 of 112
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES (Questions 1–30)
1. Which term is defined as the application of drugs for the purpose of treating disease and
the treatment of suffering?
A) Pharmacokinetics
B) Pharmacotherapeutics
C) Pharmacodynamics
D) Pharmacognosy
Answer: B
Rationale: Pharmacotherapeutics is the application of drugs for the purpose of treating disease
and the treatment of suffering.
2. What is the study of how various drug forms influence pharmacokinetic and
pharmacodynamic activities?
A) Pharmaceutics
B) Pharmacokinetics
C) Pharmacodynamics
D) Pharmacogenomics
,Page 3 of 112
Answer: A
Rationale: Pharmaceutics is the study of how various drug forms influence pharmacokinetic and
pharmacodynamic activities.
3. Which term describes what the body does to a drug, including absorption, distribution,
metabolism, and excretion?
A) Pharmacodynamics
B) Pharmacokinetics
C) Pharmacotherapeutics
D) Pharmacogenomics
Answer: B
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics describes the movement of drugs through the body, including
absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.
4. Which term refers to the study of the biochemical and physiological effects of drugs on the
body?
A) Pharmacogenetics
B) Pharmacokinetics
C) Pharmacodynamics
D) Pharmacology
Answer: C
Rationale: Pharmacodynamics involves the mechanism of drug action and the relationship
between drug concentration and effect.
, Page 4 of 112
5. Which term means "relating to the healing of disease"?
A) Therapeutic
B) Prophylactic
C) Palliative
D) Diagnostic
Answer: A
Rationale: Therapeutic relates to the healing of disease.
6. What is the mechanism of action of a drug?
A) The way the drug is metabolized by the liver
B) How a drug produces an effect within the body
C) The route of administration
D) The time it takes for the drug to be excreted
Answer: B
Rationale: Mechanism of action is how a drug produces an effect within the body.
7. Which of the following is an example of complementary therapy?
A) Insulin therapy
B) Acupuncture
C) Antibiotic therapy
D) Chemotherapy
Answer: B
Rationale: Examples of complementary therapy include natural plant extracts, herbs, vitamins,
