NURS 251 Module 2 Exam V3 | NURS 251
Module 2 Exam – Pharmacology | Portage |
Q&A with Rationale (Portage NURS 251
Module 2 Exam)
1. Which pharmacokinetic process is primarily affected when a drug is administered
intravenously rather than orally?
A. Metabolism
B. Absorption
C. Excretion
D. Distribution
Answer: B
Rationale: Absorption is bypassed when a medication is given intravenously because the
drug is placed directly into the systemic circulation. This results in 100% bioavailability,
which is significantly higher than most oral medications. Understanding this distinction is
critical for rapid onset of action in emergency clinical settings.
2. The nurse is reviewing the ‘first-pass effect’. Which route of administration is most
susceptible to this phenomenon?
A. Sublingual
B. Intramuscular
,C. Oral
D. Transdermal
Answer: C
Rationale: Orally administered drugs are absorbed through the GI tract and carried to the
liver via the hepatic portal vein. The liver metabolizes a portion of the drug before it
reaches general circulation, which is known as the first-pass effect. Routes like sublingual
or transdermal bypass the liver initially, maintaining higher drug concentrations in the
blood.
3. A patient with low serum albumin levels is prescribed a highly protein-bound drug. What is
the primary concern for this patient?
A. Delayed absorption of the drug
B. Decreased drug effectiveness
C. Rapid excretion of the drug
D. Increased risk of drug toxicity
Answer: D
Rationale: When serum albumin levels are low, there are fewer binding sites available for
highly protein-bound medications. This leads to an increase in the ‘free’ or active fraction of
the drug in the bloodstream. Consequently, the patient is at a significantly higher risk for
toxicity and adverse effects due to the excessive active drug.
, 4. The Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme system is primarily located in which organ?
A. Kidneys
B. Liver
C. Lungs
D. Small Intestine
Answer: B
Rationale: The Cytochrome P450 enzyme system is the major catalyst for drug metabolism
in the liver. These enzymes are responsible for the biotransformation of many lipid-soluble
drugs into water-soluble metabolites. Monitoring this system is vital because many drug-
drug interactions occur when enzymes are induced or inhibited.
5. What term describes the time required for the plasma concentration of a drug to decrease
by 50%?
A. Duration of action
B. Therapeutic index
C. Peak level
D. Half-life
Answer: D
Rationale: Half-life is a standard pharmacokinetic parameter used to determine the dosing
interval of a medication. It helps clinicians estimate how long it will take for a drug to reach
Module 2 Exam – Pharmacology | Portage |
Q&A with Rationale (Portage NURS 251
Module 2 Exam)
1. Which pharmacokinetic process is primarily affected when a drug is administered
intravenously rather than orally?
A. Metabolism
B. Absorption
C. Excretion
D. Distribution
Answer: B
Rationale: Absorption is bypassed when a medication is given intravenously because the
drug is placed directly into the systemic circulation. This results in 100% bioavailability,
which is significantly higher than most oral medications. Understanding this distinction is
critical for rapid onset of action in emergency clinical settings.
2. The nurse is reviewing the ‘first-pass effect’. Which route of administration is most
susceptible to this phenomenon?
A. Sublingual
B. Intramuscular
,C. Oral
D. Transdermal
Answer: C
Rationale: Orally administered drugs are absorbed through the GI tract and carried to the
liver via the hepatic portal vein. The liver metabolizes a portion of the drug before it
reaches general circulation, which is known as the first-pass effect. Routes like sublingual
or transdermal bypass the liver initially, maintaining higher drug concentrations in the
blood.
3. A patient with low serum albumin levels is prescribed a highly protein-bound drug. What is
the primary concern for this patient?
A. Delayed absorption of the drug
B. Decreased drug effectiveness
C. Rapid excretion of the drug
D. Increased risk of drug toxicity
Answer: D
Rationale: When serum albumin levels are low, there are fewer binding sites available for
highly protein-bound medications. This leads to an increase in the ‘free’ or active fraction of
the drug in the bloodstream. Consequently, the patient is at a significantly higher risk for
toxicity and adverse effects due to the excessive active drug.
, 4. The Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme system is primarily located in which organ?
A. Kidneys
B. Liver
C. Lungs
D. Small Intestine
Answer: B
Rationale: The Cytochrome P450 enzyme system is the major catalyst for drug metabolism
in the liver. These enzymes are responsible for the biotransformation of many lipid-soluble
drugs into water-soluble metabolites. Monitoring this system is vital because many drug-
drug interactions occur when enzymes are induced or inhibited.
5. What term describes the time required for the plasma concentration of a drug to decrease
by 50%?
A. Duration of action
B. Therapeutic index
C. Peak level
D. Half-life
Answer: D
Rationale: Half-life is a standard pharmacokinetic parameter used to determine the dosing
interval of a medication. It helps clinicians estimate how long it will take for a drug to reach
