Pharmacology: Unit 1 Practice Questions
1. The pharmacist states that the patient’s biotransformation of a drug was altered. The
nurse interprets this to mean that
a. absorption has affected the drug.
b. dilution has affected the drug.
c. excretion has affected the drug.
d. metabolism has affected the drug.
2. The nurse reads that the half-life of the medication being administered is 12 hours. What
interpretation will guide the nurse’s care of this patient?
a. This medication will be 50% eliminated in 12 hours, so the dosing will be spread
apart.
b. The medication will be administered every 6 hours to maintain consistent blood
levels.
c. The medication will not work for the first 12 hours.
d. The patient will require two doses of the medication before there is an effect.
3. The nurse is administering medications to a patient with chronic renal failure. What is the
nurse’s priority action?
a. Administer all medications via IV route.
b. Assess drug levels daily.
c. Assess the patient for toxicity to the medications.
d. Hold medications for low urinary output.
4. The nurse has administered several oral medications to the patient. Which factors will
influence the absorption of these medications? Choose all that apply
1. Presence of food in the stomach.
2. pH of the stomach.
3. Patient position upon intake of medication
4. Form of drug preparation.
5. Time of day of administration
6. The amount of saliva
A. 1, 2, 4, 6 B. 2, 4, 5 C. 1, 2, 4 D. 1, 2, 3, 4
5. The nurse is developing a teaching plan for a patient taking a medication that causes
photosensitivity. What is the most important information for the nurse to teach this
patient?
a. “Do not take any over-the-counter medications while on this drug.”
b. “Stay out of the sun when possible and use sunscreen when you are outside.”
c. “Do not drink milk with this medication.”
d. “Do not use vitamin supplements while taking this medication.”
6. Which symptom presenting in an older adult would cause the nurse to suspect drug
toxicity?
a. Decreased urine output
1. The pharmacist states that the patient’s biotransformation of a drug was altered. The
nurse interprets this to mean that
a. absorption has affected the drug.
b. dilution has affected the drug.
c. excretion has affected the drug.
d. metabolism has affected the drug.
2. The nurse reads that the half-life of the medication being administered is 12 hours. What
interpretation will guide the nurse’s care of this patient?
a. This medication will be 50% eliminated in 12 hours, so the dosing will be spread
apart.
b. The medication will be administered every 6 hours to maintain consistent blood
levels.
c. The medication will not work for the first 12 hours.
d. The patient will require two doses of the medication before there is an effect.
3. The nurse is administering medications to a patient with chronic renal failure. What is the
nurse’s priority action?
a. Administer all medications via IV route.
b. Assess drug levels daily.
c. Assess the patient for toxicity to the medications.
d. Hold medications for low urinary output.
4. The nurse has administered several oral medications to the patient. Which factors will
influence the absorption of these medications? Choose all that apply
1. Presence of food in the stomach.
2. pH of the stomach.
3. Patient position upon intake of medication
4. Form of drug preparation.
5. Time of day of administration
6. The amount of saliva
A. 1, 2, 4, 6 B. 2, 4, 5 C. 1, 2, 4 D. 1, 2, 3, 4
5. The nurse is developing a teaching plan for a patient taking a medication that causes
photosensitivity. What is the most important information for the nurse to teach this
patient?
a. “Do not take any over-the-counter medications while on this drug.”
b. “Stay out of the sun when possible and use sunscreen when you are outside.”
c. “Do not drink milk with this medication.”
d. “Do not use vitamin supplements while taking this medication.”
6. Which symptom presenting in an older adult would cause the nurse to suspect drug
toxicity?
a. Decreased urine output
