NR 565 ADVANCED
PHARMACOLOGY FUNDAMENTALS
WEEK 2 2026 EXAMINATION TEST
ACCURATE ANSWERS
◉ benefits of full practice authority.
Answer: Nurse practitioners have the autonomy to evaluate patients,
diagnose, order and interpret tests, initiate and manage treatments and
prescribe medications, including controlled substances without physician
oversight
◉ promoting positive outcomes through prudent prescribing practices.
Answer: Administering medications and prescribing medications are two
distinct processes. Prescription writing requires prudent and deliberate
decision-making processes to maintain patient safety and reduce
liability, including:
*documentation of a provider-patient relationship for the recipient of the
prescribed medications
*documentation of a thorough history and physical examination for the
recipient
*documentation of discussions regarding risk factors, side effects, or
therapy options
,*documentation of drug monitoring or titration plan, if applicable
*documentation of consultations, if any
avoidance of prescribing medications for self, family, or friends
Rational drug selection requires a logical approach that includes the
formulation of a diagnosis based on clinical reasoning and the selection
and monitoring of the most appropriate pharmacological treatment
Considerations include: Cost, guidelines, availability, interactions, side
effects, allergies, hepatic/renal functions, need for monitoring, & special
populations
◉ Beer's Criteria.
Answer: identifies drugs with a high likelihood of causing adverse
effects in older adults. Accordingly, drugs on this list should generally
be avoided in adults older than 65 years except when the benefits are
significantly greater than the risks.
◉ Pharmacodynamics.
Answer: the study of the biochemical and physiologic effects of drugs
on the body and the molecular mechanisms by which those effects are
produced
◉ Pharmacokinetics.
Answer: the study of drug movement throughout the body
,◉ Pharmacogenomics.
Answer: the study of how genes affect a person's response to drugs. The
purpose of this is to combine the sciences of genomics and
pharmacology to provide individualized, targeted, safe drug therapies to
patients
◉ CYP450 inducers.
Answer: Inducers are xenobiotics (medications and environmental
agents) that elevate CYP450 enzyme activity by increasing enzyme
synthesis. This action leads to additional sites available for
biotransformation. The increased number of sites enhances medication
metabolism, decreasing the concentration of the "parent drug" while
increasing metabolite production.
Inducers = Increase medication metabolism
(Carbamazepine, Rifampin, Alcohol, Phenytoin, Griseofulvin,
Phenobarbital, Sulfonylureas)
◉ CYP450 inhibitors.
Answer: Inhibitors are medications that inhibit the metabolic activity of
one or more of the CYP450 enzymes. Medications that inhibit an
enzyme potentially slows that enzyme's activity or blocks the activity
required for the metabolism of other medications, thereby increasing the
levels of medications dependent on that particular enzyme for
biotransformation. Inhibitors = decrease medication metabolism
, (Valproate, Isoniazid, Sulfonamides, Amiodarone, Chloramphenicol,
Ketoconazole, Grapefruit Juice, Quinidine)
◉ cultural influences in prescribing.
Answer: The greatest concern surrounding race-based therapy has to do
with genetic variability. We know there is great diversity within and
among racial groups; therefore, a "one fits all" approach based on race is
unwise. Still, we can use known associations to guide choices. For
example, differences in metabolism between people with East Asian and
European heritage are common. The provider can use this knowledge to
guide initial dosing (with adjustment, as indicated based on response) if
genetic testing is not feasible or warranted
◉ Polypharmacy: Definition, challenges, and outcomes.
Answer: treatment with multiple drugs
greatly increases the risk for interactions. Some of these interactions are
negligible, but some can have life-threatening consequences. It is of
crucial importance to ask the patient about all current drugs, including
over-the-counter (OTC) medications and other herbal preparations.
Many patients do not consider OTC or alternative pharmaceuticals as
"medications" and may not mention them unless you ask specifically.
◉ Acute Pain Management.
Answer:
◉ Chronic Pain Management.
PHARMACOLOGY FUNDAMENTALS
WEEK 2 2026 EXAMINATION TEST
ACCURATE ANSWERS
◉ benefits of full practice authority.
Answer: Nurse practitioners have the autonomy to evaluate patients,
diagnose, order and interpret tests, initiate and manage treatments and
prescribe medications, including controlled substances without physician
oversight
◉ promoting positive outcomes through prudent prescribing practices.
Answer: Administering medications and prescribing medications are two
distinct processes. Prescription writing requires prudent and deliberate
decision-making processes to maintain patient safety and reduce
liability, including:
*documentation of a provider-patient relationship for the recipient of the
prescribed medications
*documentation of a thorough history and physical examination for the
recipient
*documentation of discussions regarding risk factors, side effects, or
therapy options
,*documentation of drug monitoring or titration plan, if applicable
*documentation of consultations, if any
avoidance of prescribing medications for self, family, or friends
Rational drug selection requires a logical approach that includes the
formulation of a diagnosis based on clinical reasoning and the selection
and monitoring of the most appropriate pharmacological treatment
Considerations include: Cost, guidelines, availability, interactions, side
effects, allergies, hepatic/renal functions, need for monitoring, & special
populations
◉ Beer's Criteria.
Answer: identifies drugs with a high likelihood of causing adverse
effects in older adults. Accordingly, drugs on this list should generally
be avoided in adults older than 65 years except when the benefits are
significantly greater than the risks.
◉ Pharmacodynamics.
Answer: the study of the biochemical and physiologic effects of drugs
on the body and the molecular mechanisms by which those effects are
produced
◉ Pharmacokinetics.
Answer: the study of drug movement throughout the body
,◉ Pharmacogenomics.
Answer: the study of how genes affect a person's response to drugs. The
purpose of this is to combine the sciences of genomics and
pharmacology to provide individualized, targeted, safe drug therapies to
patients
◉ CYP450 inducers.
Answer: Inducers are xenobiotics (medications and environmental
agents) that elevate CYP450 enzyme activity by increasing enzyme
synthesis. This action leads to additional sites available for
biotransformation. The increased number of sites enhances medication
metabolism, decreasing the concentration of the "parent drug" while
increasing metabolite production.
Inducers = Increase medication metabolism
(Carbamazepine, Rifampin, Alcohol, Phenytoin, Griseofulvin,
Phenobarbital, Sulfonylureas)
◉ CYP450 inhibitors.
Answer: Inhibitors are medications that inhibit the metabolic activity of
one or more of the CYP450 enzymes. Medications that inhibit an
enzyme potentially slows that enzyme's activity or blocks the activity
required for the metabolism of other medications, thereby increasing the
levels of medications dependent on that particular enzyme for
biotransformation. Inhibitors = decrease medication metabolism
, (Valproate, Isoniazid, Sulfonamides, Amiodarone, Chloramphenicol,
Ketoconazole, Grapefruit Juice, Quinidine)
◉ cultural influences in prescribing.
Answer: The greatest concern surrounding race-based therapy has to do
with genetic variability. We know there is great diversity within and
among racial groups; therefore, a "one fits all" approach based on race is
unwise. Still, we can use known associations to guide choices. For
example, differences in metabolism between people with East Asian and
European heritage are common. The provider can use this knowledge to
guide initial dosing (with adjustment, as indicated based on response) if
genetic testing is not feasible or warranted
◉ Polypharmacy: Definition, challenges, and outcomes.
Answer: treatment with multiple drugs
greatly increases the risk for interactions. Some of these interactions are
negligible, but some can have life-threatening consequences. It is of
crucial importance to ask the patient about all current drugs, including
over-the-counter (OTC) medications and other herbal preparations.
Many patients do not consider OTC or alternative pharmaceuticals as
"medications" and may not mention them unless you ask specifically.
◉ Acute Pain Management.
Answer:
◉ Chronic Pain Management.
