NURS 305 Exam 1 V1 | NURS 305 Pharmacology | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (NURS305 Exam 1) | Liberty University
1. A nurse is reviewing the pharmacokinetics of a newly prescribed drug. Which process
describes the movement of the drug from its site of administration into the bloodstream?
A. Distribution
B. Absorption
C. Metabolism
D. Excretion
Answer: B
Explanation: Absorption is the primary pharmacokinetic phase that involves the
movement of a substance from the administration site into the circulatory system. This
process is influenced by the route of administration, the drug’s solubility, and the blood
flow at the site of entry. Understanding absorption helps the nurse anticipate how quickly
the medication will reach therapeutic levels.
2. When administering a drug with a high first-pass effect, the nurse understands that the
drug will be significantly reduced in concentration before reaching systemic circulation.
Which route is most associated with this phenomenon?
A. Intravenous
B. Oral
C. Sublingual
D. Intramuscular
Answer: B
Explanation: The first-pass effect occurs when orally administered drugs travel through
the portal vein to the liver where they are metabolized before reaching the heart. Drugs
given intravenously or sublingually bypass this initial hepatic metabolism, leading to
higher systemic bioavailability. Nurses must recognize this effect to understand why oral
doses are often much higher than parenteral doses of the same medication.
3. A patient has a serum albumin level of 2.2 g/dL. What is the nurse’s primary concern when
administering a highly protein-bound drug to this patient?
A. The drug will be rapidly excreted by the kidneys.
B. There will be an increased level of free drug, increasing the risk of toxicity.
C. The drug will be completely inactive due to lack of binding.
,D. The patient will require a much higher dose to achieve effects.
Answer: B
Explanation: Protein-bound drugs typically bind to albumin; however, only the ‘free’ or
unbound portion of the drug is pharmacologically active. When albumin levels are low,
there are fewer binding sites available, which results in a higher concentration of active
drug in the bloodstream. The nurse must monitor for signs of drug toxicity as the patient’s
low protein levels effectively increase the drug’s potency.
4. The nurse is calculating the half-life of a medication. If a drug has a half-life of 4 hours and
the current blood level is 100 mg/L, what will the level be in 12 hours?
A. 50 mg/L
B. 12.5 mg/L
C. 25 mg/L
D. 6.25 mg/L
Answer: B
Explanation: Half-life is the time required for the concentration of a drug in the body to be
reduced by one-half. In 12 hours, three half-lives will have passed (12 divided by 4). After
the first half-life, the level is 50; after the second, 25; and after the third, it reaches 12.5
mg/L.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer a Schedule II medication. Which characteristic is true
regarding Schedule II drugs?
A. They have a high potential for abuse but have accepted medical uses.
B. They have a low potential for abuse.
C. They are available over-the-counter without a prescription.
D. They have no accepted medical use in the United States.
Answer: A
Explanation: Schedule II medications are defined by the Controlled Substances Act as
drugs with a high potential for abuse that may lead to severe psychological or physical
dependence. Unlike Schedule I drugs, they do have a currently accepted medical use in
treatment. The nurse must adhere to strict documentation and storage protocols to prevent
diversion and ensure patient safety.
6. A patient asks the nurse why a medication is categorized as Category X for pregnancy.
What is the most appropriate response?
A. The drug is safe for the fetus but not for the mother.
, B. Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities, and the risk
outweighs any benefit.
C. Animal studies show no risk, but human studies are lacking.
D. The drug is only safe during the third trimester.
Answer: B
Explanation: FDA Pregnancy Category X indicates that the medication causes clear fetal
risks and abnormalities. The risks of using the drug in pregnant women clearly outweigh
any possible benefits. Nurses must ensure that female patients of childbearing age are
aware of these risks and utilize effective contraception while on such therapy.
7. Which phase of the nursing process involves the nurse collecting objective and subjective
data regarding the patient’s medication history?
A. Implementation
B. Diagnosis
C. Assessment
D. Evaluation
Answer: C
Explanation: The assessment phase is the foundation of the nursing process where the
nurse gathers comprehensive data about the patient. This includes history of allergies,
current medications, and baseline vital signs to ensure safe drug administration. Accurate
assessment allows the nurse to identify potential contraindications or risks before a
medication is even administered.
8. What is the term for the study of what the body does to a drug?
A. Pharmacokinetics
B. Pharmacodynamics
C. Pharmacotherapeutics
D. Pharmacognosy
Answer: A
Explanation: Pharmacokinetics describes the movement of drugs through the body and is
often summarized by the acronym ADME (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and
Excretion). This differs from pharmacodynamics, which is the study of what the drug does
to the body. Understanding pharmacokinetics is essential for nurses to predict the onset,
peak, and duration of drug action.
Rationale (NURS305 Exam 1) | Liberty University
1. A nurse is reviewing the pharmacokinetics of a newly prescribed drug. Which process
describes the movement of the drug from its site of administration into the bloodstream?
A. Distribution
B. Absorption
C. Metabolism
D. Excretion
Answer: B
Explanation: Absorption is the primary pharmacokinetic phase that involves the
movement of a substance from the administration site into the circulatory system. This
process is influenced by the route of administration, the drug’s solubility, and the blood
flow at the site of entry. Understanding absorption helps the nurse anticipate how quickly
the medication will reach therapeutic levels.
2. When administering a drug with a high first-pass effect, the nurse understands that the
drug will be significantly reduced in concentration before reaching systemic circulation.
Which route is most associated with this phenomenon?
A. Intravenous
B. Oral
C. Sublingual
D. Intramuscular
Answer: B
Explanation: The first-pass effect occurs when orally administered drugs travel through
the portal vein to the liver where they are metabolized before reaching the heart. Drugs
given intravenously or sublingually bypass this initial hepatic metabolism, leading to
higher systemic bioavailability. Nurses must recognize this effect to understand why oral
doses are often much higher than parenteral doses of the same medication.
3. A patient has a serum albumin level of 2.2 g/dL. What is the nurse’s primary concern when
administering a highly protein-bound drug to this patient?
A. The drug will be rapidly excreted by the kidneys.
B. There will be an increased level of free drug, increasing the risk of toxicity.
C. The drug will be completely inactive due to lack of binding.
,D. The patient will require a much higher dose to achieve effects.
Answer: B
Explanation: Protein-bound drugs typically bind to albumin; however, only the ‘free’ or
unbound portion of the drug is pharmacologically active. When albumin levels are low,
there are fewer binding sites available, which results in a higher concentration of active
drug in the bloodstream. The nurse must monitor for signs of drug toxicity as the patient’s
low protein levels effectively increase the drug’s potency.
4. The nurse is calculating the half-life of a medication. If a drug has a half-life of 4 hours and
the current blood level is 100 mg/L, what will the level be in 12 hours?
A. 50 mg/L
B. 12.5 mg/L
C. 25 mg/L
D. 6.25 mg/L
Answer: B
Explanation: Half-life is the time required for the concentration of a drug in the body to be
reduced by one-half. In 12 hours, three half-lives will have passed (12 divided by 4). After
the first half-life, the level is 50; after the second, 25; and after the third, it reaches 12.5
mg/L.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer a Schedule II medication. Which characteristic is true
regarding Schedule II drugs?
A. They have a high potential for abuse but have accepted medical uses.
B. They have a low potential for abuse.
C. They are available over-the-counter without a prescription.
D. They have no accepted medical use in the United States.
Answer: A
Explanation: Schedule II medications are defined by the Controlled Substances Act as
drugs with a high potential for abuse that may lead to severe psychological or physical
dependence. Unlike Schedule I drugs, they do have a currently accepted medical use in
treatment. The nurse must adhere to strict documentation and storage protocols to prevent
diversion and ensure patient safety.
6. A patient asks the nurse why a medication is categorized as Category X for pregnancy.
What is the most appropriate response?
A. The drug is safe for the fetus but not for the mother.
, B. Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities, and the risk
outweighs any benefit.
C. Animal studies show no risk, but human studies are lacking.
D. The drug is only safe during the third trimester.
Answer: B
Explanation: FDA Pregnancy Category X indicates that the medication causes clear fetal
risks and abnormalities. The risks of using the drug in pregnant women clearly outweigh
any possible benefits. Nurses must ensure that female patients of childbearing age are
aware of these risks and utilize effective contraception while on such therapy.
7. Which phase of the nursing process involves the nurse collecting objective and subjective
data regarding the patient’s medication history?
A. Implementation
B. Diagnosis
C. Assessment
D. Evaluation
Answer: C
Explanation: The assessment phase is the foundation of the nursing process where the
nurse gathers comprehensive data about the patient. This includes history of allergies,
current medications, and baseline vital signs to ensure safe drug administration. Accurate
assessment allows the nurse to identify potential contraindications or risks before a
medication is even administered.
8. What is the term for the study of what the body does to a drug?
A. Pharmacokinetics
B. Pharmacodynamics
C. Pharmacotherapeutics
D. Pharmacognosy
Answer: A
Explanation: Pharmacokinetics describes the movement of drugs through the body and is
often summarized by the acronym ADME (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and
Excretion). This differs from pharmacodynamics, which is the study of what the drug does
to the body. Understanding pharmacokinetics is essential for nurses to predict the onset,
peak, and duration of drug action.
