ADMINISTERING
MEDICATIONS: 2025 RELEASE
• AUTHOR(S)DONNA
GAUWITZ
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Definition of Terms / Pharmacology
Stem
A newly licensed RN is orienting to a med-surg unit and must
document medication actions. A senior nurse asks whether
“pharmacodynamics” or “pharmacokinetics” better describes
how a drug concentration changes in the blood over time.
,Which response demonstrates correct clinical understanding
that affects timing of medication administration?
A. Pharmacodynamics — it explains how the drug concentration
in blood changes and predicts onset.
B. Pharmacokinetics — it describes how the body absorbs,
distributes, metabolizes, and excretes the drug.
C. Pharmacodynamics — it focuses on side effects that
determine blood levels.
D. Pharmacokinetics — it describes how the drug interacts at
receptor sites to cause effects.
Correct answer: B
Rationale — Correct (B)
Pharmacokinetics describes absorption, distribution,
metabolism, and excretion — processes that determine blood
concentrations over time. Understanding pharmacokinetics
guides timing (e.g., peak/trough) and route decisions to ensure
therapeutic levels and avoid toxicity.
Rationales — Incorrect
A. Incorrect: Pharmacodynamics addresses drug effects and
mechanisms of action, not blood concentration dynamics.
C. Incorrect: Pharmacodynamics relates to effects, not the
processes that change blood levels; side effects do not directly
define kinetics.
D. Incorrect: This reverses concepts — receptor interactions are
pharmacodynamics, not pharmacokinetics.
,Teaching point:
Pharmacokinetics = what the body does to the drug; informs
timing and monitoring.
Citation:
Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Drug Sources / Drug Uses
Stem
A nurse reviews a new medication order for a patient: a biologic
monoclonal antibody for rheumatoid arthritis. The patient asks
how this drug differs from earlier small-molecule pills. What is
the best nursing explanation that links drug source to
monitoring obligations?
A. Biologics are plant-derived and require no special
monitoring.
B. Biologics are large, protein-based agents produced
biologically and often require infection monitoring and special
administration techniques.
C. Biologics are synthetic small molecules that act faster and
need only routine lab checks.
D. Biologics are identical to generic chemically synthesized
drugs and require the same precautions.
Correct answer: B
, Rationale — Correct (B)
Biologics are large, protein-based agents produced in living
systems; they often require special handling, route (e.g.,
injection/infusion), screening for infection risk, and monitoring
for immune reactions. Communicating these differences guides
safe administration and patient education.
Rationales — Incorrect
A. Incorrect: Biologics are not simply plant-derived and do
require monitoring (e.g., infection screening).
C. Incorrect: Biologics are not small molecules and have
different pharmacology and monitoring needs.
D. Incorrect: Biologics differ significantly from generic small-
molecule drugs in production, handling, and adverse effect
profiles.
Teaching point:
Biologics require special handling, administration, and
immune/infection monitoring.
Citation:
Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Drug Standards / Drug Legislation
Stem
While preparing controlled substances for a postoperative
MEDICATIONS: 2025 RELEASE
• AUTHOR(S)DONNA
GAUWITZ
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Definition of Terms / Pharmacology
Stem
A newly licensed RN is orienting to a med-surg unit and must
document medication actions. A senior nurse asks whether
“pharmacodynamics” or “pharmacokinetics” better describes
how a drug concentration changes in the blood over time.
,Which response demonstrates correct clinical understanding
that affects timing of medication administration?
A. Pharmacodynamics — it explains how the drug concentration
in blood changes and predicts onset.
B. Pharmacokinetics — it describes how the body absorbs,
distributes, metabolizes, and excretes the drug.
C. Pharmacodynamics — it focuses on side effects that
determine blood levels.
D. Pharmacokinetics — it describes how the drug interacts at
receptor sites to cause effects.
Correct answer: B
Rationale — Correct (B)
Pharmacokinetics describes absorption, distribution,
metabolism, and excretion — processes that determine blood
concentrations over time. Understanding pharmacokinetics
guides timing (e.g., peak/trough) and route decisions to ensure
therapeutic levels and avoid toxicity.
Rationales — Incorrect
A. Incorrect: Pharmacodynamics addresses drug effects and
mechanisms of action, not blood concentration dynamics.
C. Incorrect: Pharmacodynamics relates to effects, not the
processes that change blood levels; side effects do not directly
define kinetics.
D. Incorrect: This reverses concepts — receptor interactions are
pharmacodynamics, not pharmacokinetics.
,Teaching point:
Pharmacokinetics = what the body does to the drug; informs
timing and monitoring.
Citation:
Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Drug Sources / Drug Uses
Stem
A nurse reviews a new medication order for a patient: a biologic
monoclonal antibody for rheumatoid arthritis. The patient asks
how this drug differs from earlier small-molecule pills. What is
the best nursing explanation that links drug source to
monitoring obligations?
A. Biologics are plant-derived and require no special
monitoring.
B. Biologics are large, protein-based agents produced
biologically and often require infection monitoring and special
administration techniques.
C. Biologics are synthetic small molecules that act faster and
need only routine lab checks.
D. Biologics are identical to generic chemically synthesized
drugs and require the same precautions.
Correct answer: B
, Rationale — Correct (B)
Biologics are large, protein-based agents produced in living
systems; they often require special handling, route (e.g.,
injection/infusion), screening for infection risk, and monitoring
for immune reactions. Communicating these differences guides
safe administration and patient education.
Rationales — Incorrect
A. Incorrect: Biologics are not simply plant-derived and do
require monitoring (e.g., infection screening).
C. Incorrect: Biologics are not small molecules and have
different pharmacology and monitoring needs.
D. Incorrect: Biologics differ significantly from generic small-
molecule drugs in production, handling, and adverse effect
profiles.
Teaching point:
Biologics require special handling, administration, and
immune/infection monitoring.
Citation:
Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Drug Standards / Drug Legislation
Stem
While preparing controlled substances for a postoperative
