NUR 378 EXAM 1 PHARMACOLOGY
COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE 2026
◉ allergic reaction. Answer: -can be very mild or very severe
-mild: itching or hives, runny nose
-severe: anaphylaxis
◉ idiosyncratic reactions. Answer: -unexpected responses
-might cause opposite of usual reaction
-Ex: patient takes Benadryl and becomes hyper instead of drowsy
◉ drug interactions. Answer: -one drug interferes or modifies effect
of another drug
-can happen when taking multiple medications
◉ antagonistic drug effect. Answer: -two drugs that cancel the
effects of each other out
-Ex: when you take morphine and narcan. Narcan eliminates effects
of morphine
◉ synergistic drug effects. Answer: -enhances effect of other drug
-Ex: taking aspirin and Coumadin. Both are blood thinners
,◉ drug-food interactions. Answer: -food can interact with a drug
-Ex: a lot of drugs are affected by grapefruit
◉ drug-laboratory interactions. Answer: -drugs that can affect lab
tests or values
-ex: false positive drug test
◉ pharmacokinetics. Answer: The process by which drugs are
absorbed, distributed within the body, metabolized, and excreted.
◉ 1. Adsorption
2. Distribution
3. Biotransformation (metabolism)
4. Excretion (elimination). Answer: What are the four phases of
pharmacokinetics (in order)?
◉ adsorption. Answer: what happens to a drug from the time it is
introduced until it reaches circulating fluids and tissues
◉ -route of administration: oral meds take longer to distribute than
IV meds
, -form of the drug: tablet, suppository, or injection. Answer:
Adsorption can vary with what two factors?
◉ distribution. Answer: drug becomes available to body fluids and
tissues and can be circulated throughout the body
◉ metabolism. Answer: -biotransformation
-chemical inactivation of a drug through its conversion into a more
water-soluble form
◉ liver. Answer: Which organ is the most important site of drug
metabolism?
◉ -if liver does not metabolize meds or metabolizes slowly, then
meds can build up and result in toxic levels of med in the body.
Answer: Why must you be careful when administering meds to
patients with inadequate liver function?
◉ excretion. Answer: -elimination
-how long meds takes to move out of the body
◉ kidneys. Answer: What is the main route of elimination?
◉ -age: specifically pediatric and elderly clients
COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE 2026
◉ allergic reaction. Answer: -can be very mild or very severe
-mild: itching or hives, runny nose
-severe: anaphylaxis
◉ idiosyncratic reactions. Answer: -unexpected responses
-might cause opposite of usual reaction
-Ex: patient takes Benadryl and becomes hyper instead of drowsy
◉ drug interactions. Answer: -one drug interferes or modifies effect
of another drug
-can happen when taking multiple medications
◉ antagonistic drug effect. Answer: -two drugs that cancel the
effects of each other out
-Ex: when you take morphine and narcan. Narcan eliminates effects
of morphine
◉ synergistic drug effects. Answer: -enhances effect of other drug
-Ex: taking aspirin and Coumadin. Both are blood thinners
,◉ drug-food interactions. Answer: -food can interact with a drug
-Ex: a lot of drugs are affected by grapefruit
◉ drug-laboratory interactions. Answer: -drugs that can affect lab
tests or values
-ex: false positive drug test
◉ pharmacokinetics. Answer: The process by which drugs are
absorbed, distributed within the body, metabolized, and excreted.
◉ 1. Adsorption
2. Distribution
3. Biotransformation (metabolism)
4. Excretion (elimination). Answer: What are the four phases of
pharmacokinetics (in order)?
◉ adsorption. Answer: what happens to a drug from the time it is
introduced until it reaches circulating fluids and tissues
◉ -route of administration: oral meds take longer to distribute than
IV meds
, -form of the drug: tablet, suppository, or injection. Answer:
Adsorption can vary with what two factors?
◉ distribution. Answer: drug becomes available to body fluids and
tissues and can be circulated throughout the body
◉ metabolism. Answer: -biotransformation
-chemical inactivation of a drug through its conversion into a more
water-soluble form
◉ liver. Answer: Which organ is the most important site of drug
metabolism?
◉ -if liver does not metabolize meds or metabolizes slowly, then
meds can build up and result in toxic levels of med in the body.
Answer: Why must you be careful when administering meds to
patients with inadequate liver function?
◉ excretion. Answer: -elimination
-how long meds takes to move out of the body
◉ kidneys. Answer: What is the main route of elimination?
◉ -age: specifically pediatric and elderly clients
