Pharmacology Final Test Questions
(2025/2026 Latest Update) | Complete
Nursing Exam Prep & Verified Q&A
What are the 4 processes involved in Pharmacokinetics? - correct answerAbsorption
Distribution
Metabolism
Excretion
What 2 characteristics are needed for a drug to be given safely and effectively by
injection? - correct answerPH similar to the blood and not too concentrated or corrosive
Which form of medication is assumed to be 100% absorbed? - correct answerIV
List 4 advantages to giving drugs parenterally. - correct answerRapid action for IV, no
first pass effect; directly into the blood stream, useful for uncooperative patients,
alternate route for drugs that can't be given orally
Why are drug dosages usually higher when given enterally vs. when given parenterally?
Describe what happens. - correct answerBecause of first pass effect an amount of drug
will be metabolized before reaching its therapeutic end point thus the dose needs to be
increased enterally to have the same effect as when given parenterally
Which route is absorbed faster, IM or subcutaneous? - correct answerIM
Where may topical drugs be delivered? List 4 areas of the body. - correct answerSkin,
eyes, ears, nose, lungs, rectum, vagina
What is the name of the primary protein that binds to and carries drugs in the
bloodstream throughout the body? - correct answerAlbumin
Explain why a drug-drug interaction may occur. - correct answerWhen 2 drugs are
highly protein bound they compete for the same binding sites which may leave variable
amounts of drug in circulation
What are the primary purposes of metabolism of a drug? - correct answerAn inactive
metabolite
A more soluble compound
A more potent metabolite ( as in conversion of an inactive prodrug to its active form)
A less active metabolite
,Why does it matter if a drug is water or fat soluble? Describe each. - correct answerFat
soluble= larger volume distribution and low concentrations
Water soluble: increase protein bound-highly bound in blood less absorb into issue
Increased lipid solubility = poorly bound, eaily taken up into tissues and distributed to
body
Which 2 sites in the body are difficult for a drug to reach? And why. - correct answer-
Bone ; Blood brain barrier due to poor blood supply
Regarding enzyme inducers and enzyme inhibitors, which ones will cause an increased
chance of drug toxicity? And why? - correct answer-Enzyme inhibitors can delay
metabolism of a drug and can therefore increase the risk for drug toxicity
Which is the major organ involved in Excretion? List 2 other organs involved in
excretion. - correct answer- Kidney, primary organ for excretion
- Liver
- And bowel
A patient was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last month, and she has complained of
a dull ache in her abdomen for the last 2 months. This pain has been gradually
increasing, and the pain relievers she has taken at home are no longer effective. What
type of pain is she experiencing?
a. Acute pain
b. Persistent pain
c. Somatic pain
d. Superficial pain - correct answerb. Persistent Pain
An 18-year-old basketball player fell and twisted his ankle during a game. Which type of
analgesic is he likely to receive?
a. Synthetic opioid, such as meperidine (Demerol)
b. Opium alkaloid, such as morphine sulfate
c. Opioid antagonist, such as naloxone HCI (Suboxone)
d. Nonopioid analgesic, such as indomethacin - correct answerd. Nonopioid analgesic,
such as indomethacin
A patient is in the recovery room following abdominal surgery. He is groggy but
complaining of severe pain around his incision. What is the most important factor for the
nurse to consider during her patient assessment before administering a dose of
morphine sulfate?
a. His temperature
b. His respiration rate
c. The appearance of the incision
d. The time of his last bowel movement - correct answerb. His respiration rate
, A 78-year-old patient is in the recovery room after a lengthy surgery on his hip. As the
patient was gradually awakening, he requested pain medication. Within 10 minutes after
receiving a dose of morphine sulfate, he is very lethargic and his respirations are
shallow, with a rate of 9 per minute. What necessary action may the nurse need to
perform?
a. Close observation of signs of opioid tolerance
b. Immediate intubation and artificial ventilation
c. Administration of naloxone (Narcan), an opioid reversal agent
d. Administration of an agonist opioid, such as fentanyl (Duragesic) - correct answerc.
Administration of naloxone (Narcan), an opioid reversal agent
A patient will be discharged with a 1-week supply of an opioid analgesic for pain
management after his abdominal surgery. What information should the nurse tell this
patient regarding this drug?
a. How to manage diarrhea
b. How to access drug addiction programs
c. How to prevent constipation
d. How to avoid dehydration due to polyuria - correct answerc. How to prevent
constipation
A patient has been treated for 3 years for lung cancer. Over the past few months, she
has noticed that the opioid analgesic she has been taking is not helping as much and
says she needs to take more medication for the same pain relief. Which of the following
is this patient experiencing?
a. Opioid toxicity
b. Addiction
c. Opioid tolerance
d. Abstinence syndrome - correct answerc. Opioid tolerance
A 38-year-old male has arrived at the urgent care centre with severe hip pain after
falling from a ladder at work. He has taken several pain pills over the past few hours but
cannot remember how many he has taken. He hands the nurse an empty bottle of
acetaminophen (Tylenol). What is the most serious toxic effect of acute acetaminophen
overdose?
a. Tachycardia
b. Central nervous system (CNS) depression
c. Hepatic necrosis
d. Nephrotic necrosis - correct answerc. Hepatic necrosis
A 57-year-old patient has been on a transdermal narcotic analgesic as part of the
management of pain for end-stage breast cancer. Lately, she has experienced
"breakthrough"pain. How should this pain be addressed?
a. She should be given nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
b. Her current therapy should not be changed.
c. The baseline dose of the narcotic may need to be increased in increments.
(2025/2026 Latest Update) | Complete
Nursing Exam Prep & Verified Q&A
What are the 4 processes involved in Pharmacokinetics? - correct answerAbsorption
Distribution
Metabolism
Excretion
What 2 characteristics are needed for a drug to be given safely and effectively by
injection? - correct answerPH similar to the blood and not too concentrated or corrosive
Which form of medication is assumed to be 100% absorbed? - correct answerIV
List 4 advantages to giving drugs parenterally. - correct answerRapid action for IV, no
first pass effect; directly into the blood stream, useful for uncooperative patients,
alternate route for drugs that can't be given orally
Why are drug dosages usually higher when given enterally vs. when given parenterally?
Describe what happens. - correct answerBecause of first pass effect an amount of drug
will be metabolized before reaching its therapeutic end point thus the dose needs to be
increased enterally to have the same effect as when given parenterally
Which route is absorbed faster, IM or subcutaneous? - correct answerIM
Where may topical drugs be delivered? List 4 areas of the body. - correct answerSkin,
eyes, ears, nose, lungs, rectum, vagina
What is the name of the primary protein that binds to and carries drugs in the
bloodstream throughout the body? - correct answerAlbumin
Explain why a drug-drug interaction may occur. - correct answerWhen 2 drugs are
highly protein bound they compete for the same binding sites which may leave variable
amounts of drug in circulation
What are the primary purposes of metabolism of a drug? - correct answerAn inactive
metabolite
A more soluble compound
A more potent metabolite ( as in conversion of an inactive prodrug to its active form)
A less active metabolite
,Why does it matter if a drug is water or fat soluble? Describe each. - correct answerFat
soluble= larger volume distribution and low concentrations
Water soluble: increase protein bound-highly bound in blood less absorb into issue
Increased lipid solubility = poorly bound, eaily taken up into tissues and distributed to
body
Which 2 sites in the body are difficult for a drug to reach? And why. - correct answer-
Bone ; Blood brain barrier due to poor blood supply
Regarding enzyme inducers and enzyme inhibitors, which ones will cause an increased
chance of drug toxicity? And why? - correct answer-Enzyme inhibitors can delay
metabolism of a drug and can therefore increase the risk for drug toxicity
Which is the major organ involved in Excretion? List 2 other organs involved in
excretion. - correct answer- Kidney, primary organ for excretion
- Liver
- And bowel
A patient was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last month, and she has complained of
a dull ache in her abdomen for the last 2 months. This pain has been gradually
increasing, and the pain relievers she has taken at home are no longer effective. What
type of pain is she experiencing?
a. Acute pain
b. Persistent pain
c. Somatic pain
d. Superficial pain - correct answerb. Persistent Pain
An 18-year-old basketball player fell and twisted his ankle during a game. Which type of
analgesic is he likely to receive?
a. Synthetic opioid, such as meperidine (Demerol)
b. Opium alkaloid, such as morphine sulfate
c. Opioid antagonist, such as naloxone HCI (Suboxone)
d. Nonopioid analgesic, such as indomethacin - correct answerd. Nonopioid analgesic,
such as indomethacin
A patient is in the recovery room following abdominal surgery. He is groggy but
complaining of severe pain around his incision. What is the most important factor for the
nurse to consider during her patient assessment before administering a dose of
morphine sulfate?
a. His temperature
b. His respiration rate
c. The appearance of the incision
d. The time of his last bowel movement - correct answerb. His respiration rate
, A 78-year-old patient is in the recovery room after a lengthy surgery on his hip. As the
patient was gradually awakening, he requested pain medication. Within 10 minutes after
receiving a dose of morphine sulfate, he is very lethargic and his respirations are
shallow, with a rate of 9 per minute. What necessary action may the nurse need to
perform?
a. Close observation of signs of opioid tolerance
b. Immediate intubation and artificial ventilation
c. Administration of naloxone (Narcan), an opioid reversal agent
d. Administration of an agonist opioid, such as fentanyl (Duragesic) - correct answerc.
Administration of naloxone (Narcan), an opioid reversal agent
A patient will be discharged with a 1-week supply of an opioid analgesic for pain
management after his abdominal surgery. What information should the nurse tell this
patient regarding this drug?
a. How to manage diarrhea
b. How to access drug addiction programs
c. How to prevent constipation
d. How to avoid dehydration due to polyuria - correct answerc. How to prevent
constipation
A patient has been treated for 3 years for lung cancer. Over the past few months, she
has noticed that the opioid analgesic she has been taking is not helping as much and
says she needs to take more medication for the same pain relief. Which of the following
is this patient experiencing?
a. Opioid toxicity
b. Addiction
c. Opioid tolerance
d. Abstinence syndrome - correct answerc. Opioid tolerance
A 38-year-old male has arrived at the urgent care centre with severe hip pain after
falling from a ladder at work. He has taken several pain pills over the past few hours but
cannot remember how many he has taken. He hands the nurse an empty bottle of
acetaminophen (Tylenol). What is the most serious toxic effect of acute acetaminophen
overdose?
a. Tachycardia
b. Central nervous system (CNS) depression
c. Hepatic necrosis
d. Nephrotic necrosis - correct answerc. Hepatic necrosis
A 57-year-old patient has been on a transdermal narcotic analgesic as part of the
management of pain for end-stage breast cancer. Lately, she has experienced
"breakthrough"pain. How should this pain be addressed?
a. She should be given nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
b. Her current therapy should not be changed.
c. The baseline dose of the narcotic may need to be increased in increments.
