TEST BANK FOR NURSING PHARMACOLOGY, 2ND EDITION
BY MICHELLE ERNSTMEYER AND ELIZABETH
CHRISTMANQUESTIONS & 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES | GRADED A+LATEST UPDATE
, TABLE OF CONTENTS
Textbook chapters
Chapter 1: Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics : Includes basic concepts such as
absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.
Chapter 2: Legal/Ethical: Covers safe medication administration, legal guidelines, and
preventing medication errors.
Chapter 3: Antimicrobials : Focuses on various antimicrobial therapies, including
penicillins, cephalosporins, antivirals, and antifungals.
Chapter 4: Autonomic Nervous System: Discusses medications related to the
autonomic nervous system, including agonists and antagonists.
Chapter 5: Respiratory System: Covers medications used for respiratory disorders,
such as antihistamines, decongestants, and corticosteroids.
Chapter 6: Cardiovascular & Renal Systems: Addresses medications for the
cardiovascular and renal systems, including antiarrhythmics, diuretics, and
antihypertensives.
Chapter 7: Gastrointestinal System: Focuses on medications for the GI system, such as
antiulcer medications, laxatives, and antiemetics.
Chapter 8: Central Nervous System: Covers CNS depressants, stimulants,
antidepressants, and anticonvulsants.
Chapter 9: Endocrine System: Explores endocrine medications, including
corticosteroids, antidiabetics, and thyroid medications.
Chapter 10: Analgesics & Musculoskeletal System: Includes nonopioid and opioid
analgesics, as well as anesthetics.
,CHAPTER 1 — PHARMACOKINETICS & PHARMACODYNAMICS
Question 1
A nurse is teaching a newly licensed nurse about drug absorption. Which factor
primarily affects the rate of absorption after oral administration?
A. Volume of distribution
B. Gastric emptying time
C. Hepatic enzyme activity
D. Protein binding
Correct answer: B. Gastric emptying time
Rationale:
B is correct. Gastric emptying time determines how quickly an orally
administered drug reaches the small intestine, where most absorption occurs;
faster emptying → more rapid absorption.
A (Volume of distribution) affects distribution, not initial absorption rate.
C (Hepatic enzyme activity) influences metabolism (first-pass effect) and
clearance, not the absorption rate from the GI tract.
D (Protein binding) affects free drug available for distribution and action,
not the physical process/rate of absorption across the GI mucosa.
Question 2
A 68-year-old patient with decreased renal function is prescribed a drug that is
90% renally excreted unchanged. Which pharmacokinetic change is most likely
and requires nurse action?
A. Increased hepatic metabolism leading to subtherapeutic levels
, B. Decreased half-life requiring more frequent dosing
C. Accumulation of the drug causing toxicity
D. Increased first-pass effect reducing bioavailability
Correct answer: C. Accumulation of the drug causing toxicity
Rationale:
C is correct. Impaired renal excretion leads to decreased clearance of
renally eliminated drugs and increased accumulation → higher plasma levels
and potential toxicity. Nurse should notify prescriber and anticipate dose
reduction or extended interval.
A (Increased hepatic metabolism) is unrelated to renal excretion.
B (Decreased half-life) is opposite of expected; renal impairment typically
increases half-life.
D (Increased first-pass effect) refers to hepatic metabolism and would
decrease bioavailability; not the primary issue with renal impairment.
Question 3
Which statement best describes volume of distribution (Vd)?
A. Vd indicates how rapidly a drug is absorbed from the GI tract.
B. A high Vd suggests extensive distribution into tissues.
C. Vd is a direct measure of plasma protein binding.
D. Vd equals the percentage of drug eliminated by the kidneys.
Correct answer: B. A high Vd suggests extensive distribution into tissues.
Rationale:
BY MICHELLE ERNSTMEYER AND ELIZABETH
CHRISTMANQUESTIONS & 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES | GRADED A+LATEST UPDATE
, TABLE OF CONTENTS
Textbook chapters
Chapter 1: Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics : Includes basic concepts such as
absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.
Chapter 2: Legal/Ethical: Covers safe medication administration, legal guidelines, and
preventing medication errors.
Chapter 3: Antimicrobials : Focuses on various antimicrobial therapies, including
penicillins, cephalosporins, antivirals, and antifungals.
Chapter 4: Autonomic Nervous System: Discusses medications related to the
autonomic nervous system, including agonists and antagonists.
Chapter 5: Respiratory System: Covers medications used for respiratory disorders,
such as antihistamines, decongestants, and corticosteroids.
Chapter 6: Cardiovascular & Renal Systems: Addresses medications for the
cardiovascular and renal systems, including antiarrhythmics, diuretics, and
antihypertensives.
Chapter 7: Gastrointestinal System: Focuses on medications for the GI system, such as
antiulcer medications, laxatives, and antiemetics.
Chapter 8: Central Nervous System: Covers CNS depressants, stimulants,
antidepressants, and anticonvulsants.
Chapter 9: Endocrine System: Explores endocrine medications, including
corticosteroids, antidiabetics, and thyroid medications.
Chapter 10: Analgesics & Musculoskeletal System: Includes nonopioid and opioid
analgesics, as well as anesthetics.
,CHAPTER 1 — PHARMACOKINETICS & PHARMACODYNAMICS
Question 1
A nurse is teaching a newly licensed nurse about drug absorption. Which factor
primarily affects the rate of absorption after oral administration?
A. Volume of distribution
B. Gastric emptying time
C. Hepatic enzyme activity
D. Protein binding
Correct answer: B. Gastric emptying time
Rationale:
B is correct. Gastric emptying time determines how quickly an orally
administered drug reaches the small intestine, where most absorption occurs;
faster emptying → more rapid absorption.
A (Volume of distribution) affects distribution, not initial absorption rate.
C (Hepatic enzyme activity) influences metabolism (first-pass effect) and
clearance, not the absorption rate from the GI tract.
D (Protein binding) affects free drug available for distribution and action,
not the physical process/rate of absorption across the GI mucosa.
Question 2
A 68-year-old patient with decreased renal function is prescribed a drug that is
90% renally excreted unchanged. Which pharmacokinetic change is most likely
and requires nurse action?
A. Increased hepatic metabolism leading to subtherapeutic levels
, B. Decreased half-life requiring more frequent dosing
C. Accumulation of the drug causing toxicity
D. Increased first-pass effect reducing bioavailability
Correct answer: C. Accumulation of the drug causing toxicity
Rationale:
C is correct. Impaired renal excretion leads to decreased clearance of
renally eliminated drugs and increased accumulation → higher plasma levels
and potential toxicity. Nurse should notify prescriber and anticipate dose
reduction or extended interval.
A (Increased hepatic metabolism) is unrelated to renal excretion.
B (Decreased half-life) is opposite of expected; renal impairment typically
increases half-life.
D (Increased first-pass effect) refers to hepatic metabolism and would
decrease bioavailability; not the primary issue with renal impairment.
Question 3
Which statement best describes volume of distribution (Vd)?
A. Vd indicates how rapidly a drug is absorbed from the GI tract.
B. A high Vd suggests extensive distribution into tissues.
C. Vd is a direct measure of plasma protein binding.
D. Vd equals the percentage of drug eliminated by the kidneys.
Correct answer: B. A high Vd suggests extensive distribution into tissues.
Rationale:
