NR 566 ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY
EXAM 1 PREP QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS | 100% CORRECT |
GRADE A+
1. A patient is prescribed a drug that undergoes significant first-pass metabolism. Which
route of administration would result in the highest bioavailability for this drug?
A. Oral
B. Intravenous
C. Sublingual
D. Rectal
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Intravenous administration bypasses the liver’s first-pass
metabolism entirely, providing 100% bioavailability. Sublingual also bypasses first-pass,
but IV is the standard for ‘highest’ direct systemic entry.
2. Which factor most significantly affects the distribution of a drug into the central nervous
system (CNS)?
A. Molecular weight of the drug
B. Degree of ionization in plasma
,C. Lipid solubility and protein transport
D. Gastric emptying time
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The blood-brain barrier (BBB) consists of tight junctions that
require drugs to be highly lipid-soluble or utilize specific transport systems to enter the
CNS.
3. A patient with hypoalbuminemia is prescribed a highly protein-bound drug. What is the
primary concern for this patient?
A. Decreased drug efficacy
B. Delayed onset of action
C. Increased rate of renal excretion
D. Increased risk of drug toxicity
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: With lower levels of albumin, there are fewer binding sites,
leading to an increase in the ‘free’ (active) fraction of the drug, which increases the risk of
toxicity.
4. A drug has a half-life of 6 hours. How long will it take for the drug to reach approximately
94% steady-state concentration in the plasma?
A. 12 hours
, B. 24 hours
C. 18 hours
D. 48 hours
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Steady state is generally reached after 4 to 5 half-lives. 4 half-
lives (4 x 6 hours) equals 24 hours.
5. Which Cytochrome P450 interaction is characterized by one drug increasing the
metabolism of another, potentially leading to subtherapeutic levels?
A. Enzyme Induction
B. Enzyme Inhibition
C. Competitive Inhibition
D. Synergism
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Enzyme induction involves a drug stimulating the synthesis of
more metabolic enzymes, which increases the metabolism of substrate drugs, lowering
their plasma concentrations.
6. A drug that binds to a receptor and produces a maximal biological response is referred to
as a(n):
A. Antagonist
EXAM 1 PREP QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS | 100% CORRECT |
GRADE A+
1. A patient is prescribed a drug that undergoes significant first-pass metabolism. Which
route of administration would result in the highest bioavailability for this drug?
A. Oral
B. Intravenous
C. Sublingual
D. Rectal
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Intravenous administration bypasses the liver’s first-pass
metabolism entirely, providing 100% bioavailability. Sublingual also bypasses first-pass,
but IV is the standard for ‘highest’ direct systemic entry.
2. Which factor most significantly affects the distribution of a drug into the central nervous
system (CNS)?
A. Molecular weight of the drug
B. Degree of ionization in plasma
,C. Lipid solubility and protein transport
D. Gastric emptying time
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The blood-brain barrier (BBB) consists of tight junctions that
require drugs to be highly lipid-soluble or utilize specific transport systems to enter the
CNS.
3. A patient with hypoalbuminemia is prescribed a highly protein-bound drug. What is the
primary concern for this patient?
A. Decreased drug efficacy
B. Delayed onset of action
C. Increased rate of renal excretion
D. Increased risk of drug toxicity
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: With lower levels of albumin, there are fewer binding sites,
leading to an increase in the ‘free’ (active) fraction of the drug, which increases the risk of
toxicity.
4. A drug has a half-life of 6 hours. How long will it take for the drug to reach approximately
94% steady-state concentration in the plasma?
A. 12 hours
, B. 24 hours
C. 18 hours
D. 48 hours
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Steady state is generally reached after 4 to 5 half-lives. 4 half-
lives (4 x 6 hours) equals 24 hours.
5. Which Cytochrome P450 interaction is characterized by one drug increasing the
metabolism of another, potentially leading to subtherapeutic levels?
A. Enzyme Induction
B. Enzyme Inhibition
C. Competitive Inhibition
D. Synergism
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Enzyme induction involves a drug stimulating the synthesis of
more metabolic enzymes, which increases the metabolism of substrate drugs, lowering
their plasma concentrations.
6. A drug that binds to a receptor and produces a maximal biological response is referred to
as a(n):
A. Antagonist
