Test Bank Overview Questions with
Correct Answers
Pharmacology - ANSWERSThe study of drugs and their action on living organisms.
Drug action - ANSWERSHow the drug acts in the body; considered the most critical
aspect of pharmacology.
Clinical drug reference - ANSWERSA source for obtaining information about a drug and
its actions.
Clinical pharmacist - ANSWERSA healthcare professional who provides information
about drugs.
Sources for deriving medications - ANSWERSPlants, synthetic sources, mold, minerals,
and animals.
Chemical name - ANSWERSA name assigned to a drug during the development
process that reflects its chemical structure.
Official name - ANSWERSA name assigned to a drug that is recognized by official
regulatory bodies.
Pharmacologic name - ANSWERSA name that describes the pharmacological
properties of the drug.
Trade name - ANSWERSA brand name assigned to a drug by its manufacturer.
Nonproprietary name - ANSWERSAlso known as the generic name, it is a name
assigned to a drug that is not trademarked.
Drug classification - ANSWERSThe categorization of a drug based on the chemical type
of its active ingredient or its therapeutic use.
Active ingredient - ANSWERSThe chemical component in a drug that is responsible for
its therapeutic effects.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - ANSWERSThe agency responsible for assigning
categories to newly approved drugs in the United States.
,Drug name - ANSWERSThe name by which a drug is known, which can include
chemical, official, pharmacologic, trade, and nonproprietary names.
Drug class - ANSWERSA category that groups drugs based on their similar properties
or effects.
Drug source - ANSWERSThe origin of a drug, which can be natural or synthetic.
Synthetic sources - ANSWERSDrugs created in a laboratory setting.
Mold - ANSWERSA natural source from which some medications are derived.
Minerals - ANSWERSNatural substances that can be used as sources for medications.
Animals - ANSWERSNatural sources from which some medications are derived.
Nursing instructor - ANSWERSAn educator who teaches nursing students about
pharmacology and other subjects.
Nurse assigned to the patient - ANSWERSA healthcare professional responsible for the
care of a specific patient.
Prescribing health care provider - ANSWERSA medical professional who prescribes
medications to patients.
Prescription - ANSWERSA category assigned by the FDA to drugs that require a
licensed health care provider's signature.
Nonprescription - ANSWERSA category assigned by the FDA to drugs that can be
purchased without a prescription, often referred to as over-the-counter drugs.
Controlled substance - ANSWERSA category assigned by the FDA to drugs that are
regulated due to their potential for abuse.
Metabolite - ANSWERSThe inactive form of the drug.
Noncontrolled substance - ANSWERSA term that is not used in the context of drug
classification.
Safe use of prescription drugs - ANSWERSIncludes administering drugs, monitoring
drug effects, evaluating for toxic effects, and educating clients and caregivers about
drugs.
Prescription documentation - ANSWERSMust contain the client's name, the name of the
drug, the dosage, the method and times of administration, and the signature of the
licensed health care provider.
, Nonprescription drugs labeling requirements - ANSWERSFederal government has
imposed labeling requirements for OTC drugs, which should only be taken as directed
on the label.
Controlled Substances Act of 1970 - ANSWERSRegulates the manufacture,
distribution, and dispensing of drugs classified as controlled substances.
Manufacturing - ANSWERSOne of the activities regulated under the Controlled
Substances Act for controlled substances.
Distribution - ANSWERSOne of the activities regulated under the Controlled
Substances Act for controlled substances.
Dispensing - ANSWERSOne of the activities regulated under the Controlled Substances
Act for controlled substances.
Monitoring clients for drug effects - ANSWERSAn important responsibility of nurses to
ensure the safe use of prescription drugs.
Evaluating clients for toxic effects - ANSWERSAn important responsibility of nurses to
ensure the safe use of prescription drugs.
Educating clients/caregivers about drugs - ANSWERSAn important responsibility of
nurses to ensure the safe use of prescription drugs.
Dosage of the drug - ANSWERSA required element that must be documented in a
prescription.
Route of drug administration - ANSWERSA required element that must be documented
in a prescription.
Times of drug administration - ANSWERSA required element that must be documented
in a prescription.
Licensed prescriber's signature - ANSWERSA required element that must be
documented in a prescription.
Over-the-counter drugs - ANSWERSAnother term for nonprescription drugs that do not
require a prescription.
Elimination - ANSWERSThe excretion of drugs from the body, a pharmacokinetic
activity.
Orphan Drug Program - ANSWERSA program that encourages the development and
marketing of products to treat rare diseases.