NURS 251 Module 2 Exam V2 | NURS 251
Module 2 Exam – Pharmacology | Portage |
Q&A with Rationale (Portage NURS 251
Module 2 Exam)
1. Which process describes the movement of a drug from its site of administration into the
blood?
A. Distribution
B. Absorption
C. Metabolism
D. Excretion
Answer: B
Rationale: Absorption is the primary pharmacokinetic process where a drug moves from
the administration site into the systemic circulation. This process is influenced by the route
of administration, drug solubility, and blood flow at the site. Understanding absorption
helps clinicians predict the onset of drug action and the effectiveness of the therapy.
2. A drug that is 95% protein-bound is administered to a patient with low serum albumin
levels. What is the most likely clinical outcome?
A. Decreased drug activity
B. Increased risk of drug toxicity
,C. Rapid renal excretion of the drug
D. Delayed onset of action
Answer: B
Rationale: Albumin is the main protein that drugs bind to in the plasma, and only the
unbound ‘free’ drug is pharmacologically active. When albumin levels are low, there are
fewer binding sites, leading to an increase in free drug concentration. This elevated level of
active drug significantly increases the risk of toxicity and adverse effects in the patient.
3. What is the primary site of drug metabolism in the human body?
A. Kidneys
B. Small Intestine
C. Liver
D. Lungs
Answer: C
Rationale: The liver is the primary organ responsible for drug metabolism, utilizing
specialized enzymes like the Cytochrome P450 system. Metabolism transforms drugs into
water-soluble metabolites to facilitate excretion by the kidneys. If a patient has liver
dysfunction, they may require lower doses to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity.
4. Which route of administration is subject to the ‘first-pass effect’?
A. Intravenous (IV)
, B. Sublingual (SL)
C. Oral (PO)
D. Intramuscular (IM)
Answer: C
Rationale: The first-pass effect refers to the metabolism of a drug by the liver or GI mucosa
before it reaches the systemic circulation. Drugs taken orally are absorbed in the GI tract
and sent via the hepatic portal vein directly to the liver. This often results in a significant
reduction of the active drug concentration available to the body’s tissues.
5. A drug has a half-life of 4 hours. If 100 mg is administered intravenously, how much drug
will remain in the body after 12 hours?
A. 50 mg
B. 25 mg
C. 6.25 mg
D. 12.5 mg
Answer: D
Rationale: Half-life is the time required for the concentration of a drug in the body to
decrease by 50%. In 12 hours, three half-lives have passed (12 divided by 4). After the first
half-life, 50 mg remains; after the second, 25 mg remains; and after the third, 12.5 mg
remains.
Module 2 Exam – Pharmacology | Portage |
Q&A with Rationale (Portage NURS 251
Module 2 Exam)
1. Which process describes the movement of a drug from its site of administration into the
blood?
A. Distribution
B. Absorption
C. Metabolism
D. Excretion
Answer: B
Rationale: Absorption is the primary pharmacokinetic process where a drug moves from
the administration site into the systemic circulation. This process is influenced by the route
of administration, drug solubility, and blood flow at the site. Understanding absorption
helps clinicians predict the onset of drug action and the effectiveness of the therapy.
2. A drug that is 95% protein-bound is administered to a patient with low serum albumin
levels. What is the most likely clinical outcome?
A. Decreased drug activity
B. Increased risk of drug toxicity
,C. Rapid renal excretion of the drug
D. Delayed onset of action
Answer: B
Rationale: Albumin is the main protein that drugs bind to in the plasma, and only the
unbound ‘free’ drug is pharmacologically active. When albumin levels are low, there are
fewer binding sites, leading to an increase in free drug concentration. This elevated level of
active drug significantly increases the risk of toxicity and adverse effects in the patient.
3. What is the primary site of drug metabolism in the human body?
A. Kidneys
B. Small Intestine
C. Liver
D. Lungs
Answer: C
Rationale: The liver is the primary organ responsible for drug metabolism, utilizing
specialized enzymes like the Cytochrome P450 system. Metabolism transforms drugs into
water-soluble metabolites to facilitate excretion by the kidneys. If a patient has liver
dysfunction, they may require lower doses to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity.
4. Which route of administration is subject to the ‘first-pass effect’?
A. Intravenous (IV)
, B. Sublingual (SL)
C. Oral (PO)
D. Intramuscular (IM)
Answer: C
Rationale: The first-pass effect refers to the metabolism of a drug by the liver or GI mucosa
before it reaches the systemic circulation. Drugs taken orally are absorbed in the GI tract
and sent via the hepatic portal vein directly to the liver. This often results in a significant
reduction of the active drug concentration available to the body’s tissues.
5. A drug has a half-life of 4 hours. If 100 mg is administered intravenously, how much drug
will remain in the body after 12 hours?
A. 50 mg
B. 25 mg
C. 6.25 mg
D. 12.5 mg
Answer: D
Rationale: Half-life is the time required for the concentration of a drug in the body to
decrease by 50%. In 12 hours, three half-lives have passed (12 divided by 4). After the first
half-life, 50 mg remains; after the second, 25 mg remains; and after the third, 12.5 mg
remains.
