Galen College NUR 210
Principles of Pharmacology
Exam 1 Study Guide 2026/2028
| Actual Exam Q&As + Expert
Rationales | Newly Released |
Guaranteed Pass A+ Graded
NUR 210 Principles of Pharmacology – Original Practice Exam
50 Questions with Answers & Rationales
Q1. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication. Which of the following is the most
important reason to verify the client’s identity using two identifiers?
A. To prevent medication errors [CORRECT]
B. To ensure the client is comfortable
C. To document the administration time
D. To assess for allergies
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct because using two identifiers is a core safety practice to prevent
giving medication to the wrong client. This matches the rights of medication
administration.
Q2. A client asks the nurse why a medication is prescribed to be taken on an empty
stomach. Which pharmacokinetic principle should the nurse consider?
A. First-pass metabolism
B. Bioavailability [CORRECT]
,C. Therapeutic index
D. Half-life
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because food can alter the bioavailability of some medications. Taking
on an empty stomach may enhance absorption and ensure therapeutic effect.
Q3. A nurse is reviewing a medication order that appears illegible. Which action should
the nurse take?
A. Ask another nurse to interpret the order.
B. Administer the medication as guessed.
C. Contact the prescriber for clarification. [CORRECT]
D. Hold the medication and document the omission.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because the nurse is legally responsible for clarifying unclear orders.
Guessing could cause harm and is outside safe practice.
Q4. A client is prescribed a drug with a narrow therapeutic index. Which nursing action
is most important?
A. Monitor serum drug levels closely. [CORRECT]
B. Administer the drug with food.
C. Teach the client to double the dose if a dose is missed.
D. Assess for allergic reactions only.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct because a narrow therapeutic index means small changes in dose or
blood level can cause toxicity or lack of effect. Close monitoring is essential.
Q5. A nurse is calculating a medication dose. The order is for 0.5 mg. The available
concentration is 0.25 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?
, A. 1 mL
B. 2 mL [CORRECT]
C. 0.5 mL
D. 2.5 mL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because 0.5 mg ÷ 0.25 mg/mL = 2 mL. This matches the formula for
dosage calculation.
Q6. A client is taking warfarin and is prescribed a new medication. Which drug–drug
interaction is most dangerous?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Aspirin [CORRECT]
C. Diphenhydramine
D. Loratadine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because aspirin increases bleeding risk when combined with warfarin.
This is a dangerous interaction requiring avoidance or close monitoring.
Q7. A nurse is teaching a client about first-pass metabolism. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. “It means the drug is metabolized by the liver before reaching the bloodstream.”
[CORRECT]
B. “It means the drug is excreted by the kidneys.”
C. “It means the drug is absorbed in the stomach.”
D. “It means the drug has a short half-life.”
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct because first-pass metabolism refers to the liver metabolizing a drug
before it enters systemic circulation, reducing bioavailability.
Principles of Pharmacology
Exam 1 Study Guide 2026/2028
| Actual Exam Q&As + Expert
Rationales | Newly Released |
Guaranteed Pass A+ Graded
NUR 210 Principles of Pharmacology – Original Practice Exam
50 Questions with Answers & Rationales
Q1. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication. Which of the following is the most
important reason to verify the client’s identity using two identifiers?
A. To prevent medication errors [CORRECT]
B. To ensure the client is comfortable
C. To document the administration time
D. To assess for allergies
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct because using two identifiers is a core safety practice to prevent
giving medication to the wrong client. This matches the rights of medication
administration.
Q2. A client asks the nurse why a medication is prescribed to be taken on an empty
stomach. Which pharmacokinetic principle should the nurse consider?
A. First-pass metabolism
B. Bioavailability [CORRECT]
,C. Therapeutic index
D. Half-life
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because food can alter the bioavailability of some medications. Taking
on an empty stomach may enhance absorption and ensure therapeutic effect.
Q3. A nurse is reviewing a medication order that appears illegible. Which action should
the nurse take?
A. Ask another nurse to interpret the order.
B. Administer the medication as guessed.
C. Contact the prescriber for clarification. [CORRECT]
D. Hold the medication and document the omission.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because the nurse is legally responsible for clarifying unclear orders.
Guessing could cause harm and is outside safe practice.
Q4. A client is prescribed a drug with a narrow therapeutic index. Which nursing action
is most important?
A. Monitor serum drug levels closely. [CORRECT]
B. Administer the drug with food.
C. Teach the client to double the dose if a dose is missed.
D. Assess for allergic reactions only.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct because a narrow therapeutic index means small changes in dose or
blood level can cause toxicity or lack of effect. Close monitoring is essential.
Q5. A nurse is calculating a medication dose. The order is for 0.5 mg. The available
concentration is 0.25 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?
, A. 1 mL
B. 2 mL [CORRECT]
C. 0.5 mL
D. 2.5 mL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because 0.5 mg ÷ 0.25 mg/mL = 2 mL. This matches the formula for
dosage calculation.
Q6. A client is taking warfarin and is prescribed a new medication. Which drug–drug
interaction is most dangerous?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Aspirin [CORRECT]
C. Diphenhydramine
D. Loratadine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because aspirin increases bleeding risk when combined with warfarin.
This is a dangerous interaction requiring avoidance or close monitoring.
Q7. A nurse is teaching a client about first-pass metabolism. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. “It means the drug is metabolized by the liver before reaching the bloodstream.”
[CORRECT]
B. “It means the drug is excreted by the kidneys.”
C. “It means the drug is absorbed in the stomach.”
D. “It means the drug has a short half-life.”
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct because first-pass metabolism refers to the liver metabolizing a drug
before it enters systemic circulation, reducing bioavailability.
