Exam 4: NU 150 / NU150 (Latest Version
) Pharmacology | Questions
with Correct Answers | 100 % Correct |
Grade A – Galen
Section 1: Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
(Questions 1–20)
1. What is the process by which a drug is absorbed into the bloodstream after
administration?
Absorption
Rationale: Absorption is the movement of a drug from its administration site into the
bloodstream, per basic pharmacokinetic principles.
2. What term describes the chemical alteration of a drug in the liver?
Metabolism
Rationale: Metabolism, or biotransformation, occurs primarily in the liver, where
enzymes alter a drug’s chemical structure to facilitate elimination.
3. What is the primary route of drug excretion?
Kidneys
Rationale: The kidneys are the main organ for excreting most drugs, either unchanged or
as metabolites, via urine.
4. What does a drug’s half-life indicate?
Time for drug concentration to decrease by half
Rationale: Half-life is the time required for the plasma concentration of a drug to reduce
by 50%, affecting dosing frequency.
5. What factor affects drug absorption in an elderly client?
Decreased gastric motility
Rationale: Aging reduces gastric motility, slowing drug absorption in the gastrointestinal
tract.
6. What is the therapeutic index of a drug?
Ratio of toxic dose to effective dose
Rationale: The therapeutic index measures a drug’s safety margin, with a narrow index
indicating higher risk of toxicity.
7. What is the mechanism of action of ACE inhibitors?
Block angiotensin II formation
Rationale: ACE inhibitors prevent conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, reducing
vasoconstriction and blood pressure.
, 8. What is an example of a pharmacodynamic interaction?
Enhanced sedation with alcohol and benzodiazepines
Rationale: Pharmacodynamic interactions occur when drugs affect the same
physiological system, increasing effects like sedation.
9. What does bioavailability measure?
Percentage of drug reaching systemic circulation
Rationale: Bioavailability indicates the fraction of an administered drug that reaches the
bloodstream intact.
10. What should a nurse monitor in a client receiving a drug with a narrow therapeutic index?
Serum drug levels
Rationale: Drugs with a narrow therapeutic index, like digoxin, require monitoring to
prevent toxicity.
11. What is the primary site of drug metabolism?
Liver
Rationale: The liver is the primary organ for metabolizing drugs via cytochrome P450
enzymes.
12. What factor decreases drug metabolism in a client with liver disease?
Reduced enzyme activity
Rationale: Liver disease impairs hepatic enzyme function, slowing drug metabolism and
increasing toxicity risk.
13. What is the first-pass effect?
Metabolism of a drug before systemic circulation
Rationale: The first-pass effect occurs when orally administered drugs are metabolized
in the liver, reducing bioavailability.
14. What does drug distribution depend on?
Blood flow and tissue binding
Rationale: Distribution is influenced by blood flow to tissues and the drug’s affinity for
tissue binding.
15. What is an idiosyncratic reaction to a drug?
Unpredictable adverse effect
Rationale: Idiosyncratic reactions are rare, unpredictable responses due to genetic or
individual factors.
16. What is the onset of action for an IV-administered drug?
Rapid, within minutes
Rationale: IV drugs bypass absorption barriers, providing immediate onset in the
bloodstream.
17. What is the primary purpose of a loading dose?
Achieve therapeutic levels quickly
Rationale: A loading dose rapidly establishes effective drug concentrations, especially
for drugs with long half-lives.
18. What is a common route for administering eye drops?
Conjunctival sac
Rationale: Eye drops are instilled into the conjunctival sac to avoid corneal damage and
ensure absorption.
19. What does receptor binding affect in pharmacodynamics?
Drug effect intensity
) Pharmacology | Questions
with Correct Answers | 100 % Correct |
Grade A – Galen
Section 1: Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
(Questions 1–20)
1. What is the process by which a drug is absorbed into the bloodstream after
administration?
Absorption
Rationale: Absorption is the movement of a drug from its administration site into the
bloodstream, per basic pharmacokinetic principles.
2. What term describes the chemical alteration of a drug in the liver?
Metabolism
Rationale: Metabolism, or biotransformation, occurs primarily in the liver, where
enzymes alter a drug’s chemical structure to facilitate elimination.
3. What is the primary route of drug excretion?
Kidneys
Rationale: The kidneys are the main organ for excreting most drugs, either unchanged or
as metabolites, via urine.
4. What does a drug’s half-life indicate?
Time for drug concentration to decrease by half
Rationale: Half-life is the time required for the plasma concentration of a drug to reduce
by 50%, affecting dosing frequency.
5. What factor affects drug absorption in an elderly client?
Decreased gastric motility
Rationale: Aging reduces gastric motility, slowing drug absorption in the gastrointestinal
tract.
6. What is the therapeutic index of a drug?
Ratio of toxic dose to effective dose
Rationale: The therapeutic index measures a drug’s safety margin, with a narrow index
indicating higher risk of toxicity.
7. What is the mechanism of action of ACE inhibitors?
Block angiotensin II formation
Rationale: ACE inhibitors prevent conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, reducing
vasoconstriction and blood pressure.
, 8. What is an example of a pharmacodynamic interaction?
Enhanced sedation with alcohol and benzodiazepines
Rationale: Pharmacodynamic interactions occur when drugs affect the same
physiological system, increasing effects like sedation.
9. What does bioavailability measure?
Percentage of drug reaching systemic circulation
Rationale: Bioavailability indicates the fraction of an administered drug that reaches the
bloodstream intact.
10. What should a nurse monitor in a client receiving a drug with a narrow therapeutic index?
Serum drug levels
Rationale: Drugs with a narrow therapeutic index, like digoxin, require monitoring to
prevent toxicity.
11. What is the primary site of drug metabolism?
Liver
Rationale: The liver is the primary organ for metabolizing drugs via cytochrome P450
enzymes.
12. What factor decreases drug metabolism in a client with liver disease?
Reduced enzyme activity
Rationale: Liver disease impairs hepatic enzyme function, slowing drug metabolism and
increasing toxicity risk.
13. What is the first-pass effect?
Metabolism of a drug before systemic circulation
Rationale: The first-pass effect occurs when orally administered drugs are metabolized
in the liver, reducing bioavailability.
14. What does drug distribution depend on?
Blood flow and tissue binding
Rationale: Distribution is influenced by blood flow to tissues and the drug’s affinity for
tissue binding.
15. What is an idiosyncratic reaction to a drug?
Unpredictable adverse effect
Rationale: Idiosyncratic reactions are rare, unpredictable responses due to genetic or
individual factors.
16. What is the onset of action for an IV-administered drug?
Rapid, within minutes
Rationale: IV drugs bypass absorption barriers, providing immediate onset in the
bloodstream.
17. What is the primary purpose of a loading dose?
Achieve therapeutic levels quickly
Rationale: A loading dose rapidly establishes effective drug concentrations, especially
for drugs with long half-lives.
18. What is a common route for administering eye drops?
Conjunctival sac
Rationale: Eye drops are instilled into the conjunctival sac to avoid corneal damage and
ensure absorption.
19. What does receptor binding affect in pharmacodynamics?
Drug effect intensity
