NU 170 PHARMACOLOGY EXAM
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS WITH VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS 2026/2027 UPDATE. GALEN
1. Which pharmacokinetic process is most significantly affected by a patient with advanced
cirrhosis of the liver?
A. Absorption
B. Metabolism
C. Distribution
D. Excretion
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The liver is the primary site for drug metabolism. Cirrhosis
impairs enzymatic pathways, leading to decreased drug breakdown and potential toxicity.
2. A drug has a half-life of 4 hours. If a dose of 400 mg is administered, how much remains in
the body after 12 hours?
A. 200 mg
B. 100 mg
C. 50 mg
,D. 25 mg
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: After one half-life (4h) 200mg remains; after two (8h) 100mg
remains; after three (12h) 50mg remains.
3. Which route of administration is subject to the ‘first-pass effect’?
A. Sublingual
B. Oral
C. Intravenous
D. Transdermal
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Oral medications are absorbed in the GI tract and carried to the
liver via the portal vein, where they are partially metabolized before reaching systemic
circulation.
4. A patient is prescribed a drug with a narrow therapeutic index. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A. Assess for allergic reactions only
B. Administer the drug with food
C. Encourage increased fluid intake
D. Monitor blood levels frequently
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A narrow therapeutic index means the difference between a
therapeutic dose and a toxic dose is small, necessitating close monitoring of serum drug
levels.
5. Which term describes a drug that binds to a receptor and stimulates a physiological
response?
A. Agonist
B. Antagonist
C. Inhibitor
D. Synergist
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: An agonist binds to a receptor and produces a response similar
to the body’s natural chemicals.
6. When two drugs with similar actions are given together to produce a sum of their effects,
this is known as:
A. Additive effect
B. Potentiation
C. Synergism
D. Antagonism
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS WITH VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS 2026/2027 UPDATE. GALEN
1. Which pharmacokinetic process is most significantly affected by a patient with advanced
cirrhosis of the liver?
A. Absorption
B. Metabolism
C. Distribution
D. Excretion
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The liver is the primary site for drug metabolism. Cirrhosis
impairs enzymatic pathways, leading to decreased drug breakdown and potential toxicity.
2. A drug has a half-life of 4 hours. If a dose of 400 mg is administered, how much remains in
the body after 12 hours?
A. 200 mg
B. 100 mg
C. 50 mg
,D. 25 mg
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: After one half-life (4h) 200mg remains; after two (8h) 100mg
remains; after three (12h) 50mg remains.
3. Which route of administration is subject to the ‘first-pass effect’?
A. Sublingual
B. Oral
C. Intravenous
D. Transdermal
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Oral medications are absorbed in the GI tract and carried to the
liver via the portal vein, where they are partially metabolized before reaching systemic
circulation.
4. A patient is prescribed a drug with a narrow therapeutic index. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A. Assess for allergic reactions only
B. Administer the drug with food
C. Encourage increased fluid intake
D. Monitor blood levels frequently
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A narrow therapeutic index means the difference between a
therapeutic dose and a toxic dose is small, necessitating close monitoring of serum drug
levels.
5. Which term describes a drug that binds to a receptor and stimulates a physiological
response?
A. Agonist
B. Antagonist
C. Inhibitor
D. Synergist
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: An agonist binds to a receptor and produces a response similar
to the body’s natural chemicals.
6. When two drugs with similar actions are given together to produce a sum of their effects,
this is known as:
A. Additive effect
B. Potentiation
C. Synergism
D. Antagonism
