NUR2474 PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 1 -
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW QUESTIONS
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS | 100%
CORRECT | GRADE A+
1. A patient is taking a drug that is known to have a high first-pass effect. Which route of
administration would most likely result in the lowest bioavailability for this drug?
A. Intravenous
B. Sublingual
C. Transdermal
D. Oral
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The first-pass effect refers to the metabolism of a drug in the
liver after being absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and before it reaches the systemic
circulation. Oral administration is subject to this, whereas IV, sublingual, and transdermal
bypass the liver initially.
2. A nurse is administering a drug that is highly protein-bound. The patient’s serum albumin
level is significantly low. What is the primary concern for this patient?
A. Decreased drug effectiveness
,B. Rapid renal excretion of the drug
C. Delayed absorption of the drug
D. Increased risk of drug toxicity
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: When albumin levels are low, there are fewer binding sites for
highly protein-bound drugs. This results in more free, active drug in the bloodstream,
which can lead to toxic effects.
3. Which pharmacokinetic process is primarily affected in a patient with end-stage renal
disease?
A. Absorption
B. Distribution
C. Metabolism
D. Excretion
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The kidneys are the primary organs responsible for the
excretion of drugs. Renal disease impairs the ability to clear drugs from the body.
4. A drug has a half-life of 4 hours. If a patient takes 200 mg of the drug, how many milligrams
will remain in the body after 12 hours?
A. 100 mg
, B. 50 mg
C. 25 mg
D. 12.5 mg
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: After 4 hours (1 half-life): 100 mg remains. After 8 hours (2 half-
lives): 50 mg remains. After 12 hours (3 half-lives): 25 mg remains.
5. An agonist is a drug that:
A. Binds to a receptor and mimics the body’s own regulatory molecules
B. Blocks a receptor and prevents activation
C. Neutralizes the effects of other drugs in the bloodstream
D. Requires a second-messenger system to exert any effect
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Agonists are molecules that activate receptors. They bind to
receptors and mimic the actions of the body’s endogenous signaling molecules.
6. A nurse recognizes that a drug with a narrow therapeutic index:
A. Is very safe to administer without monitoring
B. Requires close monitoring of serum drug levels
C. Has a large margin of safety between the effective and toxic dose
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW QUESTIONS
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS | 100%
CORRECT | GRADE A+
1. A patient is taking a drug that is known to have a high first-pass effect. Which route of
administration would most likely result in the lowest bioavailability for this drug?
A. Intravenous
B. Sublingual
C. Transdermal
D. Oral
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The first-pass effect refers to the metabolism of a drug in the
liver after being absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and before it reaches the systemic
circulation. Oral administration is subject to this, whereas IV, sublingual, and transdermal
bypass the liver initially.
2. A nurse is administering a drug that is highly protein-bound. The patient’s serum albumin
level is significantly low. What is the primary concern for this patient?
A. Decreased drug effectiveness
,B. Rapid renal excretion of the drug
C. Delayed absorption of the drug
D. Increased risk of drug toxicity
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: When albumin levels are low, there are fewer binding sites for
highly protein-bound drugs. This results in more free, active drug in the bloodstream,
which can lead to toxic effects.
3. Which pharmacokinetic process is primarily affected in a patient with end-stage renal
disease?
A. Absorption
B. Distribution
C. Metabolism
D. Excretion
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The kidneys are the primary organs responsible for the
excretion of drugs. Renal disease impairs the ability to clear drugs from the body.
4. A drug has a half-life of 4 hours. If a patient takes 200 mg of the drug, how many milligrams
will remain in the body after 12 hours?
A. 100 mg
, B. 50 mg
C. 25 mg
D. 12.5 mg
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: After 4 hours (1 half-life): 100 mg remains. After 8 hours (2 half-
lives): 50 mg remains. After 12 hours (3 half-lives): 25 mg remains.
5. An agonist is a drug that:
A. Binds to a receptor and mimics the body’s own regulatory molecules
B. Blocks a receptor and prevents activation
C. Neutralizes the effects of other drugs in the bloodstream
D. Requires a second-messenger system to exert any effect
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Agonists are molecules that activate receptors. They bind to
receptors and mimic the actions of the body’s endogenous signaling molecules.
6. A nurse recognizes that a drug with a narrow therapeutic index:
A. Is very safe to administer without monitoring
B. Requires close monitoring of serum drug levels
C. Has a large margin of safety between the effective and toxic dose
