NSG 124 Exam 1 Actual Exam V1 | NSG 124 Pharmacology (NSG124
Exam 1) | Herzing University PDF
1. A nurse is preparing to administer an oral medication. Which pharmacokinetic process is
primarily affected if the patient has just consumed a high-fat meal?
A. Excretion
B. Absorption
C. Distribution
D. Metabolism
Answer: B
Rationale: Absorption is the movement of a drug from its site of administration into the
bloodstream. Dietary intake, particularly high-fat meals, can significantly alter the rate and
extent of drug absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. Nurses must assess timing of meals
to ensure therapeutic drug levels are maintained.
2. The nurse is reviewing the ‘Rights of Medication Administration’. Which of the following is
considered one of the primary ‘Six Rights’?
A. Right Manufacturer
B. Right Room Number
C. Right Pharmacy
D. Right Documentation
Answer: D
Rationale: Right documentation is essential for patient safety and legal accountability in
nursing practice. It ensures that the care team is aware of what was given, when, and by
whom. Failing to document medication administration can lead to double-dosing and other
serious errors.
3. A physician orders 250 mg of a medication. The pharmacy provides the medication in 125
mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer?
A. 0.5 tablets
B. 2 tablets
C. 1 tablet
D. 3 tablets
Answer: B
,Rationale: To calculate the dose, divide the ordered amount (250 mg) by the available
strength (125 mg). 250 divided by 125 equals 2 tablets. Accurate dosage calculation is a
fundamental skill required to prevent medication errors in clinical settings.
4. A patient with liver failure is receiving a medication that is highly metabolized by the liver.
The nurse should monitor for signs of:
A. Drug toxicity
B. Rapid drug excretion
C. Decreased drug half-life
D. Increased drug effectiveness
Answer: A
Rationale: Liver dysfunction reduces the body’s ability to metabolize drugs, leading to
prolonged circulation of the active form. This accumulation increases the risk of drug
toxicity because the drug stays in the system longer than intended. Nurses must frequently
monitor laboratory values like ALT and AST in these patients.
5. What is the primary purpose of the ‘First-Pass Effect’ in pharmacology?
A. The excretion of drugs through the kidneys on the first cycle.
B. The binding of drugs to plasma proteins in the blood.
C. The metabolism of a drug by the liver before it reaches systemic circulation.
D. The initial distribution of a drug to the brain and heart.
Answer: C
Rationale: The first-pass effect occurs when oral medications are absorbed from the GI
tract and carried to the liver via the portal vein. The liver metabolizes a portion of the drug
before it enters the general circulation, reducing its bioavailability. This concept explains
why some drugs require much higher oral doses than intravenous doses.
6. A nurse is educating a patient about a new medication with a narrow therapeutic index.
Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A. ‘I will need to have my blood levels checked regularly.’
B. ‘This drug is very safe and I can take extra if I feel worse.’
C. ‘Small changes in the dose can cause big problems.’
D. ‘I should report any new symptoms to my doctor immediately.’
Answer: B
Rationale: A narrow therapeutic index means there is a very small margin between a
therapeutic dose and a toxic dose. Taking extra medication is extremely dangerous and
, could lead to life-threatening toxicity. Patient education must emphasize strict adherence
to prescribed dosages for these specific drugs.
7. Which phase of the nursing process involves the nurse gathering data about a patient’s
current medications and herbal supplements?
A. Implementation
B. Diagnosis
C. Assessment
D. Evaluation
Answer: C
Rationale: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process where the nurse collects
subjective and objective data. Identifying current medications and supplements is crucial to
prevent potential drug-drug interactions. This data provides the foundation for the entire
plan of pharmacological care.
8. A drug that binds to a receptor and produces a biological response is known as a(n):
A. Agonist
B. Inhibitor
C. Antagonist
D. Blocker
Answer: A
Rationale: An agonist is a chemical that binds to a receptor and activates the receptor to
produce a biological response. This is the mechanism by which many therapeutic drugs
mimic natural substances in the body. Understanding the difference between agonists and
antagonists is vital for predicting drug effects.
9. The nurse is administering a medication via the sublingual route. Which instruction should
the nurse provide?
A. ‘Swallow the pill with a full glass of water.’
B. ‘Chew the tablet thoroughly before swallowing.’
C. ‘Place the tablet under your tongue and let it dissolve.’
D. ‘Apply the medication to the inside of your cheek.’
Answer: C
Rationale: Sublingual administration allows the drug to be absorbed directly into the
systemic circulation via the rich capillary network under the tongue. Swallowing the
Exam 1) | Herzing University PDF
1. A nurse is preparing to administer an oral medication. Which pharmacokinetic process is
primarily affected if the patient has just consumed a high-fat meal?
A. Excretion
B. Absorption
C. Distribution
D. Metabolism
Answer: B
Rationale: Absorption is the movement of a drug from its site of administration into the
bloodstream. Dietary intake, particularly high-fat meals, can significantly alter the rate and
extent of drug absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. Nurses must assess timing of meals
to ensure therapeutic drug levels are maintained.
2. The nurse is reviewing the ‘Rights of Medication Administration’. Which of the following is
considered one of the primary ‘Six Rights’?
A. Right Manufacturer
B. Right Room Number
C. Right Pharmacy
D. Right Documentation
Answer: D
Rationale: Right documentation is essential for patient safety and legal accountability in
nursing practice. It ensures that the care team is aware of what was given, when, and by
whom. Failing to document medication administration can lead to double-dosing and other
serious errors.
3. A physician orders 250 mg of a medication. The pharmacy provides the medication in 125
mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer?
A. 0.5 tablets
B. 2 tablets
C. 1 tablet
D. 3 tablets
Answer: B
,Rationale: To calculate the dose, divide the ordered amount (250 mg) by the available
strength (125 mg). 250 divided by 125 equals 2 tablets. Accurate dosage calculation is a
fundamental skill required to prevent medication errors in clinical settings.
4. A patient with liver failure is receiving a medication that is highly metabolized by the liver.
The nurse should monitor for signs of:
A. Drug toxicity
B. Rapid drug excretion
C. Decreased drug half-life
D. Increased drug effectiveness
Answer: A
Rationale: Liver dysfunction reduces the body’s ability to metabolize drugs, leading to
prolonged circulation of the active form. This accumulation increases the risk of drug
toxicity because the drug stays in the system longer than intended. Nurses must frequently
monitor laboratory values like ALT and AST in these patients.
5. What is the primary purpose of the ‘First-Pass Effect’ in pharmacology?
A. The excretion of drugs through the kidneys on the first cycle.
B. The binding of drugs to plasma proteins in the blood.
C. The metabolism of a drug by the liver before it reaches systemic circulation.
D. The initial distribution of a drug to the brain and heart.
Answer: C
Rationale: The first-pass effect occurs when oral medications are absorbed from the GI
tract and carried to the liver via the portal vein. The liver metabolizes a portion of the drug
before it enters the general circulation, reducing its bioavailability. This concept explains
why some drugs require much higher oral doses than intravenous doses.
6. A nurse is educating a patient about a new medication with a narrow therapeutic index.
Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A. ‘I will need to have my blood levels checked regularly.’
B. ‘This drug is very safe and I can take extra if I feel worse.’
C. ‘Small changes in the dose can cause big problems.’
D. ‘I should report any new symptoms to my doctor immediately.’
Answer: B
Rationale: A narrow therapeutic index means there is a very small margin between a
therapeutic dose and a toxic dose. Taking extra medication is extremely dangerous and
, could lead to life-threatening toxicity. Patient education must emphasize strict adherence
to prescribed dosages for these specific drugs.
7. Which phase of the nursing process involves the nurse gathering data about a patient’s
current medications and herbal supplements?
A. Implementation
B. Diagnosis
C. Assessment
D. Evaluation
Answer: C
Rationale: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process where the nurse collects
subjective and objective data. Identifying current medications and supplements is crucial to
prevent potential drug-drug interactions. This data provides the foundation for the entire
plan of pharmacological care.
8. A drug that binds to a receptor and produces a biological response is known as a(n):
A. Agonist
B. Inhibitor
C. Antagonist
D. Blocker
Answer: A
Rationale: An agonist is a chemical that binds to a receptor and activates the receptor to
produce a biological response. This is the mechanism by which many therapeutic drugs
mimic natural substances in the body. Understanding the difference between agonists and
antagonists is vital for predicting drug effects.
9. The nurse is administering a medication via the sublingual route. Which instruction should
the nurse provide?
A. ‘Swallow the pill with a full glass of water.’
B. ‘Chew the tablet thoroughly before swallowing.’
C. ‘Place the tablet under your tongue and let it dissolve.’
D. ‘Apply the medication to the inside of your cheek.’
Answer: C
Rationale: Sublingual administration allows the drug to be absorbed directly into the
systemic circulation via the rich capillary network under the tongue. Swallowing the
