Karch's Focus on Nursing Pharmacology, 9th
Edition – Complete Test Bank150 Questions &
Verified Answers with Rationales | Graded A+
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO DRUGS
Questions 1–10
Question 1
A nurse working in radiology administers iodine to a patient having a CT scan. A nurse on the
oncology unit administers chemotherapy to a patient. A public health nurse administers an MMR
vaccine to a child. Which branch of pharmacology best describes the actions of all three
nurses?
A) Pharmacoeconomics
B) Pharmacotherapeutics
C) Pharmacodynamics
D) Pharmacokinetics
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Pharmacotherapeutics (clinical pharmacology) deals with the uses of drugs to treat,
prevent, and diagnose disease. The radiology nurse uses iodine to diagnose, the oncology
nurse uses chemotherapy to treat, and the public health nurse uses a vaccine to prevent
disease.
Question 2
A physician orders morphine sulfate 2 mg IV every 4 hours as needed for pain. The nurse
knows this drug has high abuse potential. Under which schedule is morphine classified?
A) Schedule I
B) Schedule II
C) Schedule III
,D) Schedule IV
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Narcotics with high abuse potential are classified as Schedule II drugs because of
severe dependence liability. Schedule I drugs have high abuse potential and no accepted
medical use. Schedule III drugs have lesser abuse potential than II, and Schedule IV drugs
have low abuse potential.
Question 3
When involved in phase III drug evaluation studies, what responsibilities would the nurse have?
A) Working with animals given experimental drugs
B) Choosing appropriate patients to be involved in the study
C) Monitoring and observing patients closely for adverse effects
D) Conducting research to determine effectiveness of the drug
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Phase III studies involve use of a drug in a large clinical population in which patients
record symptoms. Nurses may help collect and analyze information for the FDA but do not
conduct research independently. Animal testing occurs in preclinical trials.
Question 4
What concept is considered when generic drugs are substituted for brand-name drugs?
A) Bioavailability
B) Critical concentration
C) Distribution
D) Half-life
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Bioavailability is the portion of a dose that reaches systemic circulation. Binders used
in generic drugs may differ from brand-name drugs, affecting how the body breaks down and
uses the drug.
,Question 5
A nurse is assessing a patient's home medication use. After listening to the patient's list of
prescription medications, what priority question should the nurse ask?
A) "Do you take any generic medications?"
B) "Are any of these medications orphan drugs?"
C) "Are these medications safe to take during pregnancy?"
D) "Do you take any over-the-counter medications?"
Correct answer: D
Rationale: It is important to specifically question use of over-the-counter medications because
patients may not consider them important and may not report them without being asked.
Question 6
Which federal agency is responsible for ensuring the safety and efficacy of drugs in the United
States?
A) Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
B) Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
C) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
D) Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The FDA regulates drug approval, labeling, and safety. The DEA enforces controlled
substance regulations.
Question 7
The term "half-life" refers to:
A) The time it takes for the drug to reach peak concentration
B) The time it takes for half of the drug to be eliminated from the body
C) The time it takes for the drug to be completely absorbed
D) The time it takes for the drug to exert its maximum effect
, Correct answer: B
Rationale: Half-life is the time required for the plasma concentration of a drug to decrease by
50%. It determines dosing frequency.
Question 8
A patient with renal impairment is receiving a drug primarily eliminated by the kidneys. Which
pharmacokinetic parameter will be most affected?
A) Absorption
B) Distribution
C) Metabolism
D) Excretion
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Renal impairment reduces drug excretion, leading to accumulation and increased risk
of toxicity. Dose adjustment is often required.
Question 9
The "five rights" of medication administration include:
A) Right patient, drug, dose, route, and time
B) Right patient, drug, dose, route, time, documentation, and reason
C) Right patient, drug, dose, and route only
D) Right patient, drug, and dose only
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The rights include right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time, right
documentation, and right reason.
Question 10
A patient develops hives, wheezing, and hypotension after receiving penicillin. This reaction is
best classified as:
Edition – Complete Test Bank150 Questions &
Verified Answers with Rationales | Graded A+
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO DRUGS
Questions 1–10
Question 1
A nurse working in radiology administers iodine to a patient having a CT scan. A nurse on the
oncology unit administers chemotherapy to a patient. A public health nurse administers an MMR
vaccine to a child. Which branch of pharmacology best describes the actions of all three
nurses?
A) Pharmacoeconomics
B) Pharmacotherapeutics
C) Pharmacodynamics
D) Pharmacokinetics
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Pharmacotherapeutics (clinical pharmacology) deals with the uses of drugs to treat,
prevent, and diagnose disease. The radiology nurse uses iodine to diagnose, the oncology
nurse uses chemotherapy to treat, and the public health nurse uses a vaccine to prevent
disease.
Question 2
A physician orders morphine sulfate 2 mg IV every 4 hours as needed for pain. The nurse
knows this drug has high abuse potential. Under which schedule is morphine classified?
A) Schedule I
B) Schedule II
C) Schedule III
,D) Schedule IV
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Narcotics with high abuse potential are classified as Schedule II drugs because of
severe dependence liability. Schedule I drugs have high abuse potential and no accepted
medical use. Schedule III drugs have lesser abuse potential than II, and Schedule IV drugs
have low abuse potential.
Question 3
When involved in phase III drug evaluation studies, what responsibilities would the nurse have?
A) Working with animals given experimental drugs
B) Choosing appropriate patients to be involved in the study
C) Monitoring and observing patients closely for adverse effects
D) Conducting research to determine effectiveness of the drug
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Phase III studies involve use of a drug in a large clinical population in which patients
record symptoms. Nurses may help collect and analyze information for the FDA but do not
conduct research independently. Animal testing occurs in preclinical trials.
Question 4
What concept is considered when generic drugs are substituted for brand-name drugs?
A) Bioavailability
B) Critical concentration
C) Distribution
D) Half-life
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Bioavailability is the portion of a dose that reaches systemic circulation. Binders used
in generic drugs may differ from brand-name drugs, affecting how the body breaks down and
uses the drug.
,Question 5
A nurse is assessing a patient's home medication use. After listening to the patient's list of
prescription medications, what priority question should the nurse ask?
A) "Do you take any generic medications?"
B) "Are any of these medications orphan drugs?"
C) "Are these medications safe to take during pregnancy?"
D) "Do you take any over-the-counter medications?"
Correct answer: D
Rationale: It is important to specifically question use of over-the-counter medications because
patients may not consider them important and may not report them without being asked.
Question 6
Which federal agency is responsible for ensuring the safety and efficacy of drugs in the United
States?
A) Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
B) Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
C) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
D) Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The FDA regulates drug approval, labeling, and safety. The DEA enforces controlled
substance regulations.
Question 7
The term "half-life" refers to:
A) The time it takes for the drug to reach peak concentration
B) The time it takes for half of the drug to be eliminated from the body
C) The time it takes for the drug to be completely absorbed
D) The time it takes for the drug to exert its maximum effect
, Correct answer: B
Rationale: Half-life is the time required for the plasma concentration of a drug to decrease by
50%. It determines dosing frequency.
Question 8
A patient with renal impairment is receiving a drug primarily eliminated by the kidneys. Which
pharmacokinetic parameter will be most affected?
A) Absorption
B) Distribution
C) Metabolism
D) Excretion
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Renal impairment reduces drug excretion, leading to accumulation and increased risk
of toxicity. Dose adjustment is often required.
Question 9
The "five rights" of medication administration include:
A) Right patient, drug, dose, route, and time
B) Right patient, drug, dose, route, time, documentation, and reason
C) Right patient, drug, dose, and route only
D) Right patient, drug, and dose only
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The rights include right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time, right
documentation, and right reason.
Question 10
A patient develops hives, wheezing, and hypotension after receiving penicillin. This reaction is
best classified as:
