NURS 321 PHARMACOLOGY FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS//GRADED A+
What are S/S of salicylism? - answer-Tinnitus
Confusion
Diaphoresis
Tachypnea
N/V
What is the evaluation phase of the nursing process r/t pharmacology? –
answer-Ongoing evaluation of drug effectiveness & goal achievability
Determines need for intervention adjustments
Documentation of achieved, revised, and new goals
What should be the nurse's priority actions if a medication error has occurred? –
answer-STOP/HOLD med
ASSESS px
ANTIDOTE administered (if needed)
REPORT error
What are the S/S of an anaphylactic reaction? - answer-Angioedema
Wheezing
Hives/rash
Dizziness
What should be included during px education when administering medications? - answer-Assess px
education level
Therapeutic effects
Adverse effects
Special considerations
,What is the danger of crushing extended release medications? - answer-Entire drug concentration
released at once = TOXICITY
Designed to slowly release the med over time
What are reliable sources for drug information & administration? - answer-Medication labels
Package inserts
Reference books
Government websites
Peer review journals
Nursing Central
What does half-life mean & how do you determine it? –
answer-Amount of time it takes for a med in the body to DECREASE to 1/2 of its peak level
Ex: 50 mg to 25mg in 12 hrs
What is a loading dose & why is it given? - answer-Initial higher dose of drug
Given to establish therapeutic level more rapidly
What are the four stages of pharmacokinetics? - answer-ADME
Absorption: rate entering blood
- passive diffusion/active transport/filtration
Distribution: movement into tissues/cells
- protein binding/BBB/placenta & milk
Metabolism: enzymes detoxify
- first pass effect/biotransformation
Excretion: elimination
- kidneys (most important)/skin/saliva/lungs/bile/feces
, What is CYP450 metabolism? - answer-Liver enzymes metabolize drugs activating, deactivating, or
converting them into safer forms
Affects efficacy & risk of side effects
What is a substrate, inducer, and inhibitor? - answer-Substrate: drug/compound metabolized by specific
CYP450 enzyme
Inducer: enhances activity of specific CYP450 enzyme = increased metabolism, decreased concentration
& efficacy
inhibitor: inhibits activity of specific CYP450 enzyme = decreased metabolism, increased concentration,
prolong efficacy or toxicity
What is peak & trough? - answer-Peak: highest concentration (1 hr post admin)
Trough: lowest concentration (30 min prior to admin)
What happens when two highly protein drugs are administered together? - answer-Interact w/ each
other & decrease effectivity
Increased difficulty for release & membrane crossing to tissues
LONGER duration & TOXICITY
*Albumin = decreased free drug*
What are S/S of renal insufficiency? - answer-Fluid retention (edema)
Decreased urine output
Dark/cloudy/bloody urine
N/V
ANSWERS//GRADED A+
What are S/S of salicylism? - answer-Tinnitus
Confusion
Diaphoresis
Tachypnea
N/V
What is the evaluation phase of the nursing process r/t pharmacology? –
answer-Ongoing evaluation of drug effectiveness & goal achievability
Determines need for intervention adjustments
Documentation of achieved, revised, and new goals
What should be the nurse's priority actions if a medication error has occurred? –
answer-STOP/HOLD med
ASSESS px
ANTIDOTE administered (if needed)
REPORT error
What are the S/S of an anaphylactic reaction? - answer-Angioedema
Wheezing
Hives/rash
Dizziness
What should be included during px education when administering medications? - answer-Assess px
education level
Therapeutic effects
Adverse effects
Special considerations
,What is the danger of crushing extended release medications? - answer-Entire drug concentration
released at once = TOXICITY
Designed to slowly release the med over time
What are reliable sources for drug information & administration? - answer-Medication labels
Package inserts
Reference books
Government websites
Peer review journals
Nursing Central
What does half-life mean & how do you determine it? –
answer-Amount of time it takes for a med in the body to DECREASE to 1/2 of its peak level
Ex: 50 mg to 25mg in 12 hrs
What is a loading dose & why is it given? - answer-Initial higher dose of drug
Given to establish therapeutic level more rapidly
What are the four stages of pharmacokinetics? - answer-ADME
Absorption: rate entering blood
- passive diffusion/active transport/filtration
Distribution: movement into tissues/cells
- protein binding/BBB/placenta & milk
Metabolism: enzymes detoxify
- first pass effect/biotransformation
Excretion: elimination
- kidneys (most important)/skin/saliva/lungs/bile/feces
, What is CYP450 metabolism? - answer-Liver enzymes metabolize drugs activating, deactivating, or
converting them into safer forms
Affects efficacy & risk of side effects
What is a substrate, inducer, and inhibitor? - answer-Substrate: drug/compound metabolized by specific
CYP450 enzyme
Inducer: enhances activity of specific CYP450 enzyme = increased metabolism, decreased concentration
& efficacy
inhibitor: inhibits activity of specific CYP450 enzyme = decreased metabolism, increased concentration,
prolong efficacy or toxicity
What is peak & trough? - answer-Peak: highest concentration (1 hr post admin)
Trough: lowest concentration (30 min prior to admin)
What happens when two highly protein drugs are administered together? - answer-Interact w/ each
other & decrease effectivity
Increased difficulty for release & membrane crossing to tissues
LONGER duration & TOXICITY
*Albumin = decreased free drug*
What are S/S of renal insufficiency? - answer-Fluid retention (edema)
Decreased urine output
Dark/cloudy/bloody urine
N/V
