MSN 611
MSN 611 Final Exam Study Guide
Questions and Answers 2025
Three types of coded medication -Correct Answer ✔sustained
extended
(Meant to release the medication over a period of time)
enteric coded (delays the breakdown of the medication until it gets past the
stomach to protect it)
Absorption -Correct Answer ✔how medication actually gains access to the body or
enters the bloodstream from the site of administration
Distribution -Correct Answer ✔how the drug travels through the bloodstream to
different tissues in the body
metabolism -Correct Answer ✔how to body chemically modifies the drug
excretion -Correct Answer ✔how the metabolized drug is removed from the body-
usually urine in the kidneys but can be through sweat, saliva, tears, and feces
The first pass effect metabolism -Correct Answer ✔phenomenon of drug
metabolism at a specific location in the body which leads to a reduction in the
concentration of the active drug before it reaches the site of action.
Generic names of drugs -Correct Answer ✔created to explain the active ingredient
chemical structure, action, or indication
there is only one generic name
brand names -Correct Answer ✔name given by the drug company.
MSN 611
,MSN 611
There are multiple brand names.
drug classes -Correct Answer ✔Group names for drugs that have similar activities
or are used for the same type of diseases and disorders.
usually mechanism of action (beta blockers, BPD 5 blockers), therapeutic classes
(anti-hypertensives, antiseizures)
what should you assess if a patient has hepatic or renal issues? -Correct Answer
✔their function and reassess dosing
polyuria/anuria -Correct Answer ✔frequent urination, no urine formation
if the pt is chronic it is not a big deal but if it is a change it is an emergency
NSAIDS -Correct Answer ✔ibuprofen, naproxen, indomethacin, ketorolac,
celecoxib
antipyretic/anti-analgesics
should only be on one of these medications.
nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic
MOA: cox 1 & 2 inhibitors
*except for celecoxib which is a cox 2 inhibitor. Cox 2 inhibits inflammation
Blackbox warning: GI bleeding
pt. complaining of GI upset can take an occult test.
Acetaminophen -Correct Answer ✔Bocks cox more centrally in the body.
antipyretic/anti-analgesics
MSN 611
, MSN 611
NOT anti-inflammatory
preferred for some patients as it is NOT nephrotoxic but is hepatotoxic. It can
seriously damage the liver if pt overdoses on it.
N-acetylcysteine- used to treat acetaminophen toxicity.
Corticosteroids -Correct Answer ✔hydrocortisone, prednisone,
methylprednisolone, dexamethasone
Best anti-inflammatory
Major systemic effects: hyperglycemia, immunosuppression, hypertension,
osteoporosis/fractures
preferential to select steroids with local effect versus a systemic effect such as:
intranasal for COPD/allergies, injection for gout, topically for rashes vs PO
serotonin 5HT agonist -Correct Answer ✔aka sumatriptan(Imitrex)
Most effective to treat acute migraines in females-teratogenic
Ask to make sure they are not pregnant and on contraception
contraindicated: cardiac disease pts or pts with uncontrolled HTN.
*use precaution if the patient is taking other SSRIs
can cause rebound headaches if taken in excess of twice per week or nine times per
month
opioids -Correct Answer ✔IV: morphine, fentanyl, hydromorphone
MSN 611
MSN 611 Final Exam Study Guide
Questions and Answers 2025
Three types of coded medication -Correct Answer ✔sustained
extended
(Meant to release the medication over a period of time)
enteric coded (delays the breakdown of the medication until it gets past the
stomach to protect it)
Absorption -Correct Answer ✔how medication actually gains access to the body or
enters the bloodstream from the site of administration
Distribution -Correct Answer ✔how the drug travels through the bloodstream to
different tissues in the body
metabolism -Correct Answer ✔how to body chemically modifies the drug
excretion -Correct Answer ✔how the metabolized drug is removed from the body-
usually urine in the kidneys but can be through sweat, saliva, tears, and feces
The first pass effect metabolism -Correct Answer ✔phenomenon of drug
metabolism at a specific location in the body which leads to a reduction in the
concentration of the active drug before it reaches the site of action.
Generic names of drugs -Correct Answer ✔created to explain the active ingredient
chemical structure, action, or indication
there is only one generic name
brand names -Correct Answer ✔name given by the drug company.
MSN 611
,MSN 611
There are multiple brand names.
drug classes -Correct Answer ✔Group names for drugs that have similar activities
or are used for the same type of diseases and disorders.
usually mechanism of action (beta blockers, BPD 5 blockers), therapeutic classes
(anti-hypertensives, antiseizures)
what should you assess if a patient has hepatic or renal issues? -Correct Answer
✔their function and reassess dosing
polyuria/anuria -Correct Answer ✔frequent urination, no urine formation
if the pt is chronic it is not a big deal but if it is a change it is an emergency
NSAIDS -Correct Answer ✔ibuprofen, naproxen, indomethacin, ketorolac,
celecoxib
antipyretic/anti-analgesics
should only be on one of these medications.
nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic
MOA: cox 1 & 2 inhibitors
*except for celecoxib which is a cox 2 inhibitor. Cox 2 inhibits inflammation
Blackbox warning: GI bleeding
pt. complaining of GI upset can take an occult test.
Acetaminophen -Correct Answer ✔Bocks cox more centrally in the body.
antipyretic/anti-analgesics
MSN 611
, MSN 611
NOT anti-inflammatory
preferred for some patients as it is NOT nephrotoxic but is hepatotoxic. It can
seriously damage the liver if pt overdoses on it.
N-acetylcysteine- used to treat acetaminophen toxicity.
Corticosteroids -Correct Answer ✔hydrocortisone, prednisone,
methylprednisolone, dexamethasone
Best anti-inflammatory
Major systemic effects: hyperglycemia, immunosuppression, hypertension,
osteoporosis/fractures
preferential to select steroids with local effect versus a systemic effect such as:
intranasal for COPD/allergies, injection for gout, topically for rashes vs PO
serotonin 5HT agonist -Correct Answer ✔aka sumatriptan(Imitrex)
Most effective to treat acute migraines in females-teratogenic
Ask to make sure they are not pregnant and on contraception
contraindicated: cardiac disease pts or pts with uncontrolled HTN.
*use precaution if the patient is taking other SSRIs
can cause rebound headaches if taken in excess of twice per week or nine times per
month
opioids -Correct Answer ✔IV: morphine, fentanyl, hydromorphone
MSN 611
