Chamberlain NR 565 Final Exam 1 – Advanced Pharmacology Actual Questions
and Answers (PDF).
Topic Breakdown of Questions
Topic Questions Focus Areas
Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics 1-15 Absorption, Distribution,
Metabolism, Excretion, Half-life, Receptors
Autonomic & Cardiovascular 16-30 Beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, Diuretics,
Anticoagulants, Heart Failure
CNS & Psychiatric 31-45 Antidepressants (SSRIs), Antipsychotics, Anxiolytics,
Seizure meds
Endocrine 46-70 Diabetes (Insulin, Metformin, SGLT2, GLP-1), Thyroid, Adrenal
disorders
Respiratory & Immunology 71-80 Asthma, COPD, Allergies (Corticosteroids,
Bronchodilators, Antihistamines)
Pain Management 81-95 Opioids (morphine, tramadol), NSAIDs, Gout meds,
Headache treatments
Infectious Disease & Antimicrobials 96-115 Antibiotics, Antivirals,
Monitoring (Vancomycin trough), Resistance
GI & Genitourinary 116-130 PPI vs H2 blockers, Antiemetics, OAB treatments,
IBS, Laxatives
Special Populations 131-145 Pregnancy (Lactation risks), Pediatrics,
Geriatrics (Beers criteria)
,Hematology & Oncology 146-155 Anticoagulation monitoring, Anemia
treatments, Chemotherapy side effects
Topical & Miscellaneous 156-170 Eye drops, Topical steroids, Herbal
interactions, Vitamins
Questions & Answers
Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics (1-15)
1. A patient is prescribed a drug that is a weak base with a pKa of 8.5. In which
body compartment will this drug primarily be absorbed?
A. Stomach (pH 1.5-2.0)
B. Small intestine (pH 6.0-7.5)
C. Blood (pH 7.35-7.45)
D. Urine (pH 5.0-8.0)
Answer: B
Rationale: Weak bases are non-ionized (lipid-soluble) and well absorbed in
alkaline environments. The small intestine pH (6-7.5) allows a weak base with a
pKa of 8.5 to remain in a non-ionized state, facilitating absorption. The stomach is
acidic, which ionizes bases, preventing absorption .
2. Two highly protein-bound drugs (95% and 97%) are administered together.
What phenomenon is most likely to occur?
,A. Decreased drug half-life
B. Drug displacement and increased free drug concentration
C. Increased excretion rate
D. Enhanced metabolism
Answer: B
Rationale: Highly protein-bound drugs compete for binding sites on albumin. The
drug with higher affinity or concentration will displace the other, increasing the
free (active) fraction of the displaced drug, potentially leading to toxicity until
redistribution or excretion occurs .
3. Drug X has a half-life of 12 hours. How long will it take to reach steady state?
A. 24 hours
B. 48 hours
C. 60 hours
D. 120 hours
Answer: C
Rationale: Steady state is reached after approximately 4-5 half-lives. 5 x 12 hours
= 60 hours.
, 4. A patient with hepatic cirrhosis has reduced drug metabolism. Which
pharmacokinetic parameter is most affected?
A. Absorption
B. Distribution
C. Metabolism (biotransformation)
D. Excretion
Answer: C
Rationale: The liver is the primary site of drug metabolism (Phase I and II).
Cirrhosis reduces hepatic blood flow and enzyme activity, leading to decreased
clearance and prolonged half-life of drugs metabolized by the liver (e.g.,
benzodiazepines, opioids) .
5. A medication has a narrow therapeutic index (NTI). This means:
A. The drug has a wide margin of safety.
B. Small changes in dose can lead to toxicity or inefficacy.
C. The drug is only available intravenously.
D. The drug has no side effects.
and Answers (PDF).
Topic Breakdown of Questions
Topic Questions Focus Areas
Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics 1-15 Absorption, Distribution,
Metabolism, Excretion, Half-life, Receptors
Autonomic & Cardiovascular 16-30 Beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, Diuretics,
Anticoagulants, Heart Failure
CNS & Psychiatric 31-45 Antidepressants (SSRIs), Antipsychotics, Anxiolytics,
Seizure meds
Endocrine 46-70 Diabetes (Insulin, Metformin, SGLT2, GLP-1), Thyroid, Adrenal
disorders
Respiratory & Immunology 71-80 Asthma, COPD, Allergies (Corticosteroids,
Bronchodilators, Antihistamines)
Pain Management 81-95 Opioids (morphine, tramadol), NSAIDs, Gout meds,
Headache treatments
Infectious Disease & Antimicrobials 96-115 Antibiotics, Antivirals,
Monitoring (Vancomycin trough), Resistance
GI & Genitourinary 116-130 PPI vs H2 blockers, Antiemetics, OAB treatments,
IBS, Laxatives
Special Populations 131-145 Pregnancy (Lactation risks), Pediatrics,
Geriatrics (Beers criteria)
,Hematology & Oncology 146-155 Anticoagulation monitoring, Anemia
treatments, Chemotherapy side effects
Topical & Miscellaneous 156-170 Eye drops, Topical steroids, Herbal
interactions, Vitamins
Questions & Answers
Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics (1-15)
1. A patient is prescribed a drug that is a weak base with a pKa of 8.5. In which
body compartment will this drug primarily be absorbed?
A. Stomach (pH 1.5-2.0)
B. Small intestine (pH 6.0-7.5)
C. Blood (pH 7.35-7.45)
D. Urine (pH 5.0-8.0)
Answer: B
Rationale: Weak bases are non-ionized (lipid-soluble) and well absorbed in
alkaline environments. The small intestine pH (6-7.5) allows a weak base with a
pKa of 8.5 to remain in a non-ionized state, facilitating absorption. The stomach is
acidic, which ionizes bases, preventing absorption .
2. Two highly protein-bound drugs (95% and 97%) are administered together.
What phenomenon is most likely to occur?
,A. Decreased drug half-life
B. Drug displacement and increased free drug concentration
C. Increased excretion rate
D. Enhanced metabolism
Answer: B
Rationale: Highly protein-bound drugs compete for binding sites on albumin. The
drug with higher affinity or concentration will displace the other, increasing the
free (active) fraction of the displaced drug, potentially leading to toxicity until
redistribution or excretion occurs .
3. Drug X has a half-life of 12 hours. How long will it take to reach steady state?
A. 24 hours
B. 48 hours
C. 60 hours
D. 120 hours
Answer: C
Rationale: Steady state is reached after approximately 4-5 half-lives. 5 x 12 hours
= 60 hours.
, 4. A patient with hepatic cirrhosis has reduced drug metabolism. Which
pharmacokinetic parameter is most affected?
A. Absorption
B. Distribution
C. Metabolism (biotransformation)
D. Excretion
Answer: C
Rationale: The liver is the primary site of drug metabolism (Phase I and II).
Cirrhosis reduces hepatic blood flow and enzyme activity, leading to decreased
clearance and prolonged half-life of drugs metabolized by the liver (e.g.,
benzodiazepines, opioids) .
5. A medication has a narrow therapeutic index (NTI). This means:
A. The drug has a wide margin of safety.
B. Small changes in dose can lead to toxicity or inefficacy.
C. The drug is only available intravenously.
D. The drug has no side effects.
