,NU 150 Pharmacology Exam Prep —
Comprehensive Review + Practice
MCQs — Galen College of Nursing
2025/2026
Question 1
Pharmacology is best defined as the study of:
A. The structure and function of the human body
B. Drugs and their interactions with living systems
C. The preparation of surgical instruments
D. The diagnosis of infectious diseases
Correct Answer: B. Drugs and their interactions with living systems
Rationale: Pharmacology is the scientific discipline that examines how drugs affect biological systems and how
the body responds to drugs. This encompasses drug mechanisms of action, therapeutic effects, adverse effects,
and interactions with living organisms.
Question 2
A nurse is reviewing medication names with a patient. Which drug name is standardized and generally remains
consistent regardless of manufacturer?
,A. Trade name
B. Generic name
C. Chemical nickname
D. Brand nickname
Correct Answer: B. Generic name
Rationale: The generic name is the standardized nonproprietary name of a medication that remains consistent
across manufacturers. Trade names are assigned by individual drug companies and may vary.
Question 3
A nurse is explaining drug movement through the body to a patient. Which term describes what the body does
to a drug, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion?
A. Pharmacodynamics
B. Pharmacotherapeutics
C. Pharmacokinetics
D. Toxicology
Correct Answer: C. Pharmacokinetics
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics describes the movement of drugs through the body, encompassing the four key
processes: absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME). Pharmacodynamics refers to what the
drug does to the body.
, Question 4
Which term best describes the effects of a drug on the body and its mechanism of action?
A. Pharmacokinetics
B. Pharmacodynamics
C. Pharmaceutic phase
D. Distribution
Correct Answer: B. Pharmacodynamics
Rationale: Pharmacodynamics focuses on how medications produce effects, including receptor interactions
and physiologic responses. It is often summarized as "what the drug does to the body".
Question 5
A nurse is administering an oral medication. During which pharmacokinetic process does the drug move from
the gastrointestinal tract into the bloodstream?
A. Distribution
B. Absorption
C. Metabolism
D. Excretion
Correct Answer: B. Absorption
Rationale: Absorption is the movement of medication from its administration site into systemic circulation. For
oral medications, this primarily occurs in the gastrointestinal tract before the drug enters the bloodstream.
Comprehensive Review + Practice
MCQs — Galen College of Nursing
2025/2026
Question 1
Pharmacology is best defined as the study of:
A. The structure and function of the human body
B. Drugs and their interactions with living systems
C. The preparation of surgical instruments
D. The diagnosis of infectious diseases
Correct Answer: B. Drugs and their interactions with living systems
Rationale: Pharmacology is the scientific discipline that examines how drugs affect biological systems and how
the body responds to drugs. This encompasses drug mechanisms of action, therapeutic effects, adverse effects,
and interactions with living organisms.
Question 2
A nurse is reviewing medication names with a patient. Which drug name is standardized and generally remains
consistent regardless of manufacturer?
,A. Trade name
B. Generic name
C. Chemical nickname
D. Brand nickname
Correct Answer: B. Generic name
Rationale: The generic name is the standardized nonproprietary name of a medication that remains consistent
across manufacturers. Trade names are assigned by individual drug companies and may vary.
Question 3
A nurse is explaining drug movement through the body to a patient. Which term describes what the body does
to a drug, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion?
A. Pharmacodynamics
B. Pharmacotherapeutics
C. Pharmacokinetics
D. Toxicology
Correct Answer: C. Pharmacokinetics
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics describes the movement of drugs through the body, encompassing the four key
processes: absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME). Pharmacodynamics refers to what the
drug does to the body.
, Question 4
Which term best describes the effects of a drug on the body and its mechanism of action?
A. Pharmacokinetics
B. Pharmacodynamics
C. Pharmaceutic phase
D. Distribution
Correct Answer: B. Pharmacodynamics
Rationale: Pharmacodynamics focuses on how medications produce effects, including receptor interactions
and physiologic responses. It is often summarized as "what the drug does to the body".
Question 5
A nurse is administering an oral medication. During which pharmacokinetic process does the drug move from
the gastrointestinal tract into the bloodstream?
A. Distribution
B. Absorption
C. Metabolism
D. Excretion
Correct Answer: B. Absorption
Rationale: Absorption is the movement of medication from its administration site into systemic circulation. For
oral medications, this primarily occurs in the gastrointestinal tract before the drug enters the bloodstream.
