Pharm-101: Week 1 Pharmacology
Foundations– Notes + Exam Questions With
Detailed Rationales (2026)
HOW TO USE THIS DOCUMENT
This document is designed as a complete Week 1
pharmacology learning unit for nursing students. It
integrates concise teaching notes with NCLEX-style
practice questions and rationales to support both
understanding and exam readiness.
Recommended Study Approach
1. Read the notes section first (Sections 1–8) to build
conceptual understanding.
2. Pay close attention to Exam Tips, tables, and
summaries, as these reflect common NCLEX testing
patterns.
3. Complete the 40 practice questions without
referring back to the notes.
4. Review the answer key and rationales carefully,
focusing on why incorrect options are wrong.
, 5. Use the summary tables for last-minute revision
before quizzes or exams.
Learning Outcomes
By completing this document, the student should be able
to:
Apply foundational pharmacology concepts to
NCLEX-style questions
Safely reason through medication administration
scenarios
Build confidence for subsequent system-based
pharmacology weeks
WEEK 1: PHARMACOLOGY FOUNDATIONS
Notes +NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Rationales
Table of Contents
1. Introduction & Learning Objectives
2. Drug Names & Classification
3. Pharmacokinetics (PK – ADME)
4. Pharmacodynamics (PD)
, 5. Routes of Administration
6. Medication Safety
7. Dosage Basics (Introductory)
8. Week 1 Summary Tables
9. Practice Questions (40 MCQs)
10. Answer Key & Rationales
1. Introduction & Learning Objectives
Pharmacology is the study of drugs and their effects on
the body. A strong foundation is essential for safe
nursing practice and success in NCLEX-style
examinations.
By the end of Week 1, the student should be able to:
Distinguish between generic and brand drug names
Explain basic pharmacokinetics and
pharmacodynamics
Identify common routes of administration and their
implications
Apply core medication safety principles
Foundations– Notes + Exam Questions With
Detailed Rationales (2026)
HOW TO USE THIS DOCUMENT
This document is designed as a complete Week 1
pharmacology learning unit for nursing students. It
integrates concise teaching notes with NCLEX-style
practice questions and rationales to support both
understanding and exam readiness.
Recommended Study Approach
1. Read the notes section first (Sections 1–8) to build
conceptual understanding.
2. Pay close attention to Exam Tips, tables, and
summaries, as these reflect common NCLEX testing
patterns.
3. Complete the 40 practice questions without
referring back to the notes.
4. Review the answer key and rationales carefully,
focusing on why incorrect options are wrong.
, 5. Use the summary tables for last-minute revision
before quizzes or exams.
Learning Outcomes
By completing this document, the student should be able
to:
Apply foundational pharmacology concepts to
NCLEX-style questions
Safely reason through medication administration
scenarios
Build confidence for subsequent system-based
pharmacology weeks
WEEK 1: PHARMACOLOGY FOUNDATIONS
Notes +NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Rationales
Table of Contents
1. Introduction & Learning Objectives
2. Drug Names & Classification
3. Pharmacokinetics (PK – ADME)
4. Pharmacodynamics (PD)
, 5. Routes of Administration
6. Medication Safety
7. Dosage Basics (Introductory)
8. Week 1 Summary Tables
9. Practice Questions (40 MCQs)
10. Answer Key & Rationales
1. Introduction & Learning Objectives
Pharmacology is the study of drugs and their effects on
the body. A strong foundation is essential for safe
nursing practice and success in NCLEX-style
examinations.
By the end of Week 1, the student should be able to:
Distinguish between generic and brand drug names
Explain basic pharmacokinetics and
pharmacodynamics
Identify common routes of administration and their
implications
Apply core medication safety principles
