NUR 210 Exams 1-4 Galen Pharmacology – (2026) Actual
Questions and Answers (PDF)
Question 1
A nurse is reviewing the process by which a drug is chemically converted in the body. Which
term describes this process?
A) Absorption
B) Distribution
C) Metabolism
D) Excretion
Answer
Answer: C
Rationale
Metabolism (biotransformation) is the chemical alteration of a drug by enzymes, primarily in the liver,
converting it into metabolites that are usually more water-soluble and easier to excrete.
Question 2
Which factor most increases the risk of drug toxicity in a client with cirrhosis?
A) Increased hepatic metabolism
B) Decreased hepatic metabolism
C) Increased renal filtration
D) Increased plasma protein binding
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Cirrhosis reduces hepatic enzyme activity and blood flow, slowing drug metabolism and allowing
accumulation of active drug, which increases the risk of toxicity.
,Question 3
A nurse is administering a drug with a half-life of 8 hours. Approximately how long will it take
to reach steady state?
A) 8 hours
B) 16 hours
C) 24 hours
D) 32 to 40 hours
Answer
Answer: D
Rationale
Steady state is reached after approximately four to five half-lives, so with an 8-hour half-life, steady
state occurs in roughly 32 to 40 hours of consistent dosing.
Question 4
Which route of administration results in the most rapid onset of action?
A) Oral
B) Intramuscular
C) Intravenous
D) Subcutaneous
Answer
Answer: C
Rationale
Intravenous administration places the drug directly into the bloodstream, bypassing absorption and
producing the most rapid onset of action.
Question 5
Which term describes a drug's ability to produce the desired therapeutic effect?
A) Potency
B) Efficacy
C) Affinity
2
,D) Bioavailability
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Efficacy is the maximal therapeutic effect a drug can produce, regardless of the dose required, and is
distinct from potency, which describes the dose needed to produce an effect.
Question 6
A nurse is teaching a client about a drug that is highly protein bound. Which statement by the
client indicates understanding?
A) "Other medicines could increase the amount of active drug in my body."
B) "This drug will be eliminated faster than other drugs."
C) "I can take this drug with any other medication safely."
D) "This drug cannot cause side effects."
Answer
Answer: A
Rationale
Two highly protein-bound drugs compete for albumin binding sites, displacing one another and
increasing the free (active) fraction of the displaced drug, which can cause toxicity.
Question 7
Which term describes the movement of a drug from the bloodstream into body tissues?
A) Absorption
B) Distribution
C) Metabolism
D) Excretion
Answer
Answer: B
3
, Rationale
Distribution is the movement of a drug from the systemic circulation into interstitial and intracellular
fluids and tissues, influenced by blood flow, protein binding, and lipid solubility.
Question 8
Which client factor most reduces the oral absorption of a medication?
A) Taking the drug with a full glass of water
B) Taking the drug with a high-fiber meal
C) Taking the drug on an empty stomach
D) Taking the drug at the same time daily
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
High-fiber meals and food can bind drugs, delay gastric emptying, and reduce the extent of oral
absorption, decreasing bioavailability.
Question 9
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication by the intramuscular route to an adult. Which
needle length is most appropriate for the ventrogluteal site?
A) 3/8 inch
B) 5/8 inch
C) 1 to 1.5 inches
D) 3 inches
Answer
Answer: C
Rationale
The ventrogluteal site in adults requires a needle long enough to reach the muscle, typically 1 to 1.5
inches, depending on the client's body fat.
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Questions and Answers (PDF)
Question 1
A nurse is reviewing the process by which a drug is chemically converted in the body. Which
term describes this process?
A) Absorption
B) Distribution
C) Metabolism
D) Excretion
Answer
Answer: C
Rationale
Metabolism (biotransformation) is the chemical alteration of a drug by enzymes, primarily in the liver,
converting it into metabolites that are usually more water-soluble and easier to excrete.
Question 2
Which factor most increases the risk of drug toxicity in a client with cirrhosis?
A) Increased hepatic metabolism
B) Decreased hepatic metabolism
C) Increased renal filtration
D) Increased plasma protein binding
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Cirrhosis reduces hepatic enzyme activity and blood flow, slowing drug metabolism and allowing
accumulation of active drug, which increases the risk of toxicity.
,Question 3
A nurse is administering a drug with a half-life of 8 hours. Approximately how long will it take
to reach steady state?
A) 8 hours
B) 16 hours
C) 24 hours
D) 32 to 40 hours
Answer
Answer: D
Rationale
Steady state is reached after approximately four to five half-lives, so with an 8-hour half-life, steady
state occurs in roughly 32 to 40 hours of consistent dosing.
Question 4
Which route of administration results in the most rapid onset of action?
A) Oral
B) Intramuscular
C) Intravenous
D) Subcutaneous
Answer
Answer: C
Rationale
Intravenous administration places the drug directly into the bloodstream, bypassing absorption and
producing the most rapid onset of action.
Question 5
Which term describes a drug's ability to produce the desired therapeutic effect?
A) Potency
B) Efficacy
C) Affinity
2
,D) Bioavailability
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Efficacy is the maximal therapeutic effect a drug can produce, regardless of the dose required, and is
distinct from potency, which describes the dose needed to produce an effect.
Question 6
A nurse is teaching a client about a drug that is highly protein bound. Which statement by the
client indicates understanding?
A) "Other medicines could increase the amount of active drug in my body."
B) "This drug will be eliminated faster than other drugs."
C) "I can take this drug with any other medication safely."
D) "This drug cannot cause side effects."
Answer
Answer: A
Rationale
Two highly protein-bound drugs compete for albumin binding sites, displacing one another and
increasing the free (active) fraction of the displaced drug, which can cause toxicity.
Question 7
Which term describes the movement of a drug from the bloodstream into body tissues?
A) Absorption
B) Distribution
C) Metabolism
D) Excretion
Answer
Answer: B
3
, Rationale
Distribution is the movement of a drug from the systemic circulation into interstitial and intracellular
fluids and tissues, influenced by blood flow, protein binding, and lipid solubility.
Question 8
Which client factor most reduces the oral absorption of a medication?
A) Taking the drug with a full glass of water
B) Taking the drug with a high-fiber meal
C) Taking the drug on an empty stomach
D) Taking the drug at the same time daily
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
High-fiber meals and food can bind drugs, delay gastric emptying, and reduce the extent of oral
absorption, decreasing bioavailability.
Question 9
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication by the intramuscular route to an adult. Which
needle length is most appropriate for the ventrogluteal site?
A) 3/8 inch
B) 5/8 inch
C) 1 to 1.5 inches
D) 3 inches
Answer
Answer: C
Rationale
The ventrogluteal site in adults requires a needle long enough to reach the muscle, typically 1 to 1.5
inches, depending on the client's body fat.
4
