NURSING 105 (PHARMACOLOGY):
CHAPTERS 1, 2, 3 || NCLEX STUDY GUIDE
WITH ACCURATE QUESTIONS, DETAILED
ANSWERS, AND RATIONALES || 100%
GUARANTEED PASS
Description:
This study guide for Nursing 105
(Pharmacology) covers Chapters 1, 2, and 3,
focusing on the foundational pharmacology
concepts essential for nursing practice. It
provides in-depth coverage of drug
classifications, pharmacokinetics,
pharmacodynamics, and the nursing process
in medication administration. With NCLEX-
style questions, correct answers, and
detailed rationales, this guide reinforces
critical concepts and ensures comprehensive
understanding. Whether you're preparing for
exams or clinical practice, this guide is
designed to guarantee success on the
NCLEX, providing a 100% guaranteed pass
with targeted, effective preparation.
, Keywords:
Nursing 105, Pharmacology, Chapters 1-3, NCLEX
Study Guide, Nursing Interventions,
Pharmacokinetics, Medication Safety, NCLEX
Preparation, Guaranteed Pass
1.1. Three phases of drug action and interaction
1. Pharmaceutic phase (disintegration+Dissolution)
excipients (fillers and inner substances)
K and Na ions enhance drug absorption and give shape
Drugs are disintegrated and absorbed faster in ACIDIC than in alkaline--> young and
old adults have less gastric acidity--> drug absorption is slower. Enteric-coated drugs
resist disintegration in the gastric acid of the stomach-->it occurs in alkaline environment
of small intestine.
2. Pharmacokinetic phase-The process of the drug movement, so that the action of the
drug takes place
(Absorption, distribution, metabolism,excretion)
3. Pharmacodynamic-the study of the way drugs affect the body. Drug response can be
primary (desirable effect) and secondary (undesirable). It is drug concentration in the
body and dose response that the patient has.
1.2. Two processes that occur before the tablet is absorbed into the body
1. Disintegration-breakdown of tablet into smaller particles
2. Dissolution-the dissolving of those smaller particles into a liquid in the GI fluid before
absorption.
1.3. Four processes of Pharmacokinetics
1.Absorption (Active, Passive, Pinocytosis)
lipid-soluble, nonionized-absorbed faster
water-soluble, ionized-slower
2. Distribution-the process by which the drug becomes available to body fluids and body
tissues.It is influenced by blood flow, the drug's affinity to the tissue and protein binding
effect--> pharmacologic effect
3. Metabolism (or Biotransformation)-process by which the body inactivates or
biotranforms drugs.
Liver-primary site of metabolism. It changes the lipid-soluble drug to water soluble
substance for renal excretion.
4. Excretion ( Elimination)
The kidneys excrete the drugs (urine).
First pass effect (hepatic first pass)
The process which the drug passes to the liver first
Bioavailability
is a subcategory of absorption . It is the percentage of the administered drug dose that
reaches the systemaic circulation.
For oral drugs bioavailability is smaller than IV route drugs
,Factors are: the drug form, route of administration, GI mucosa and motility, food and
other drugs, changes in liver metabolism
Protein binding
with primarily albumin.
89% or more bound- highly protein-bound drugs
30-89% bound-moderately highly protein bound
<30% low protein bound
The bound drug is inactive, only not bound one is active which is called free drug--
>pharmacologic response
liver or kidney disease--> low serum albumin level--> fewer protein binding sites-->
excess free drug in plasma-->drug toxicity
half-life (t 1/2)
is the time it takes for one-half of the drug concentration to be eliminated by
metabolism.
Short - (4-8 hours)
long-( >24hours)
Aspirin
a weak acid, is excreted rapidly in alkaline urine.
Overdose of aspirin--> sodium bicarbonate maybe given to change urine pH to alkaline
to promote the excretion of aspirin.
Creatinine clearance (CLcr) and blood urea nitrogen
tests used to determine renal dunction
Creatinine
is a metabolic by-product of muscle that is excreted by the kidneys.
1.4 Factors that affect the pharmacodynamic phases
1. Dose response (maximal efficacy)-maximal amount of drug dose needed to produce
the desired drug response.
2. Onset of action-is the time it takes to reach the minimum effective concentration
(MEC) after a drug is administered. It tells us how long it will take for the drug to start
taking effect
3. Peak action-it occures when the drug reaches its highest blood or plasma
concentration.
4. Duration of action-is the length of time the drug has a pharmacologic effect.
A time-response curve
evaluates 3 parameters of drug action: onset, peak and duration.
1.5. Receptor theory
Drugs act through receptors ( proteins) by binding to the receptors to produce a
response or to block a response. under the "action of the drug" it will refer to the type of
the drug.
1.6 Differentiate between agonist, antagonists, non-specific drug effects, non-
selective drug effects
Agonist-a drug that produces a response ( Ex.epinephrine stimulates beta receptors)
Antagonist-a drug that blocks a response (inhibition)
Non-specific drug effects-a drug that affects various sites on the same receptor ( affects
more than one site) (Ex. Bethanechol prescribed for postoperative urinary retention to
increase bladder contraction for cholinergic receptors
, Non-selective drug effects- a drug that acts at different receptors ( affects various
receptors)
1.7 The various categories of drugs
4 categories:
1. Stimulation-Rate of cell or the secretion from a gland increases. Depression- cell
activity and function of a specific organ decreases.
2. Replacement-Replace essential body compounds (insulin)
3. Inhibition or killing of organisms ( interferes with bacterial cell growth
4. Irritaion- acts by mechanism or irritation
1.8 Therapeutic Index
An estimation of the safety of the drug ( estimate of its margin of safety)
A ration is used for this -given in a percentage
The ratio measures the effective (therapeutic) dose (ED) in 50% of people (ED50) and
the lethal dose (LD) in 50% of people ( LD50)
TI=LD50/ED50 ( if the ratio of closer to 1, the greater the danger of toxicity)
High TI= high safety margin
Low TI= low safety margin ( dangerous)
1.8 Therapeutic range of drugs
The drug concentration in plasma. It is the effective concentration that is needed to
attain the drug effect. It is the level of drug between the minimum effective concentration
in the plasma for obtaining desired drug action and the minimum toxic concentration.
When the range is narrow--> the plasma drug level should be monitored periodically to
avoid drug toxicity.
1.8 Peak Level
The highest concentration of the drug in the plasma.
It indicates the rate of absorption of the drug.
HIGHEST ABSORPTION
1.8 Trough level
The lowest concentration of the drug in the plasma
It indicates the rate of elimination of the drug.
If either peak or trough level is too high--> toxicity can occur.
HIGHEST ELIMINATION
1.8 Side effects
Physiological effects not related to desired drug effects.
All drugs have desirable or undesirable side effects. They are predicted. They could be
predicted desirable or predicted undesirable. ( the drawseness after narcotics for pain)
1.8 Adverse reactions
Adverse reaction -is a range of untoward effects ( unintended and occuring at normal
doses). It is more severe. They are always undesirable. ( Ex. allergic reaction after
procedure)
1.8 Toxic effects
It is the overdose, increased concentration of the drug--> we can see bad organ
functioning (liver, kidney)
1.9 The purpose of "loading dose"
When immediate drug response is desired , a large initial dose, known as the loading
dose, of drug is given to achieve the minimum effective concentration in the plasma.
CHAPTERS 1, 2, 3 || NCLEX STUDY GUIDE
WITH ACCURATE QUESTIONS, DETAILED
ANSWERS, AND RATIONALES || 100%
GUARANTEED PASS
Description:
This study guide for Nursing 105
(Pharmacology) covers Chapters 1, 2, and 3,
focusing on the foundational pharmacology
concepts essential for nursing practice. It
provides in-depth coverage of drug
classifications, pharmacokinetics,
pharmacodynamics, and the nursing process
in medication administration. With NCLEX-
style questions, correct answers, and
detailed rationales, this guide reinforces
critical concepts and ensures comprehensive
understanding. Whether you're preparing for
exams or clinical practice, this guide is
designed to guarantee success on the
NCLEX, providing a 100% guaranteed pass
with targeted, effective preparation.
, Keywords:
Nursing 105, Pharmacology, Chapters 1-3, NCLEX
Study Guide, Nursing Interventions,
Pharmacokinetics, Medication Safety, NCLEX
Preparation, Guaranteed Pass
1.1. Three phases of drug action and interaction
1. Pharmaceutic phase (disintegration+Dissolution)
excipients (fillers and inner substances)
K and Na ions enhance drug absorption and give shape
Drugs are disintegrated and absorbed faster in ACIDIC than in alkaline--> young and
old adults have less gastric acidity--> drug absorption is slower. Enteric-coated drugs
resist disintegration in the gastric acid of the stomach-->it occurs in alkaline environment
of small intestine.
2. Pharmacokinetic phase-The process of the drug movement, so that the action of the
drug takes place
(Absorption, distribution, metabolism,excretion)
3. Pharmacodynamic-the study of the way drugs affect the body. Drug response can be
primary (desirable effect) and secondary (undesirable). It is drug concentration in the
body and dose response that the patient has.
1.2. Two processes that occur before the tablet is absorbed into the body
1. Disintegration-breakdown of tablet into smaller particles
2. Dissolution-the dissolving of those smaller particles into a liquid in the GI fluid before
absorption.
1.3. Four processes of Pharmacokinetics
1.Absorption (Active, Passive, Pinocytosis)
lipid-soluble, nonionized-absorbed faster
water-soluble, ionized-slower
2. Distribution-the process by which the drug becomes available to body fluids and body
tissues.It is influenced by blood flow, the drug's affinity to the tissue and protein binding
effect--> pharmacologic effect
3. Metabolism (or Biotransformation)-process by which the body inactivates or
biotranforms drugs.
Liver-primary site of metabolism. It changes the lipid-soluble drug to water soluble
substance for renal excretion.
4. Excretion ( Elimination)
The kidneys excrete the drugs (urine).
First pass effect (hepatic first pass)
The process which the drug passes to the liver first
Bioavailability
is a subcategory of absorption . It is the percentage of the administered drug dose that
reaches the systemaic circulation.
For oral drugs bioavailability is smaller than IV route drugs
,Factors are: the drug form, route of administration, GI mucosa and motility, food and
other drugs, changes in liver metabolism
Protein binding
with primarily albumin.
89% or more bound- highly protein-bound drugs
30-89% bound-moderately highly protein bound
<30% low protein bound
The bound drug is inactive, only not bound one is active which is called free drug--
>pharmacologic response
liver or kidney disease--> low serum albumin level--> fewer protein binding sites-->
excess free drug in plasma-->drug toxicity
half-life (t 1/2)
is the time it takes for one-half of the drug concentration to be eliminated by
metabolism.
Short - (4-8 hours)
long-( >24hours)
Aspirin
a weak acid, is excreted rapidly in alkaline urine.
Overdose of aspirin--> sodium bicarbonate maybe given to change urine pH to alkaline
to promote the excretion of aspirin.
Creatinine clearance (CLcr) and blood urea nitrogen
tests used to determine renal dunction
Creatinine
is a metabolic by-product of muscle that is excreted by the kidneys.
1.4 Factors that affect the pharmacodynamic phases
1. Dose response (maximal efficacy)-maximal amount of drug dose needed to produce
the desired drug response.
2. Onset of action-is the time it takes to reach the minimum effective concentration
(MEC) after a drug is administered. It tells us how long it will take for the drug to start
taking effect
3. Peak action-it occures when the drug reaches its highest blood or plasma
concentration.
4. Duration of action-is the length of time the drug has a pharmacologic effect.
A time-response curve
evaluates 3 parameters of drug action: onset, peak and duration.
1.5. Receptor theory
Drugs act through receptors ( proteins) by binding to the receptors to produce a
response or to block a response. under the "action of the drug" it will refer to the type of
the drug.
1.6 Differentiate between agonist, antagonists, non-specific drug effects, non-
selective drug effects
Agonist-a drug that produces a response ( Ex.epinephrine stimulates beta receptors)
Antagonist-a drug that blocks a response (inhibition)
Non-specific drug effects-a drug that affects various sites on the same receptor ( affects
more than one site) (Ex. Bethanechol prescribed for postoperative urinary retention to
increase bladder contraction for cholinergic receptors
, Non-selective drug effects- a drug that acts at different receptors ( affects various
receptors)
1.7 The various categories of drugs
4 categories:
1. Stimulation-Rate of cell or the secretion from a gland increases. Depression- cell
activity and function of a specific organ decreases.
2. Replacement-Replace essential body compounds (insulin)
3. Inhibition or killing of organisms ( interferes with bacterial cell growth
4. Irritaion- acts by mechanism or irritation
1.8 Therapeutic Index
An estimation of the safety of the drug ( estimate of its margin of safety)
A ration is used for this -given in a percentage
The ratio measures the effective (therapeutic) dose (ED) in 50% of people (ED50) and
the lethal dose (LD) in 50% of people ( LD50)
TI=LD50/ED50 ( if the ratio of closer to 1, the greater the danger of toxicity)
High TI= high safety margin
Low TI= low safety margin ( dangerous)
1.8 Therapeutic range of drugs
The drug concentration in plasma. It is the effective concentration that is needed to
attain the drug effect. It is the level of drug between the minimum effective concentration
in the plasma for obtaining desired drug action and the minimum toxic concentration.
When the range is narrow--> the plasma drug level should be monitored periodically to
avoid drug toxicity.
1.8 Peak Level
The highest concentration of the drug in the plasma.
It indicates the rate of absorption of the drug.
HIGHEST ABSORPTION
1.8 Trough level
The lowest concentration of the drug in the plasma
It indicates the rate of elimination of the drug.
If either peak or trough level is too high--> toxicity can occur.
HIGHEST ELIMINATION
1.8 Side effects
Physiological effects not related to desired drug effects.
All drugs have desirable or undesirable side effects. They are predicted. They could be
predicted desirable or predicted undesirable. ( the drawseness after narcotics for pain)
1.8 Adverse reactions
Adverse reaction -is a range of untoward effects ( unintended and occuring at normal
doses). It is more severe. They are always undesirable. ( Ex. allergic reaction after
procedure)
1.8 Toxic effects
It is the overdose, increased concentration of the drug--> we can see bad organ
functioning (liver, kidney)
1.9 The purpose of "loading dose"
When immediate drug response is desired , a large initial dose, known as the loading
dose, of drug is given to achieve the minimum effective concentration in the plasma.
