NUR 378 Exam 1 V1 | NUR 378
Pharmacology in Nursing | Actual Q&A
with Rationale (NUR378 Exam 1) |
Concordia
1. A nurse is reviewing the pharmacokinetics of a newly prescribed medication. Which
process describes the movement of a drug from its site of administration into the blood?
A. Metabolism
B. Distribution
C. Excretion
D. Absorption
Correct Answer: D
Absorption is the movement of a drug from its site of administration into the bloodstream.
The rate of absorption determines how soon effects will begin, while the amount of
absorption determines how intense the effects will be. Factors such as surface area, blood
flow, and lipid solubility significantly influence this process.
2. When administering a drug with a high first-pass effect, which route of administration
would the nurse expect to be avoided to ensure maximum bioavailability?
A. Oral
B. Sublingual
,C. Intravenous
D. Transdermal
Correct Answer: A
Drugs administered orally are absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and carried
directly to the liver via the hepatic portal vein. If the liver has a high capacity to metabolize
the drug, it may be completely inactivated before reaching the systemic circulation. This
phenomenon is known as the first-pass effect, making the oral route less effective for
certain medications.
3. A patient has been taking a medication that has a half-life of 4 hours. If the dose is
administered at 0800, at what time will approximately 75% of the drug be eliminated from
the body?
A. 1200
B. 0000
C. 2000
D. 1600
Correct Answer: D
The half-life is the time required for the amount of drug in the body to decrease by 50%.
After one half-life (4 hours, at 1200), 50% remains; after two half-lives (8 hours, at 1600),
25% remains, meaning 75% has been eliminated. Understanding half-life is critical for
determining dosing intervals and predicting drug accumulation.
, 4. The nurse is caring for a patient with severe hypoalbuminemia. Which statement best
describes the risk associated with administering highly protein-bound drugs to this patient?
A. The drug will be excreted more slowly by the kidneys.
B. The drug will bind to red blood cells instead of albumin.
C. The drug will be unable to cross the blood-brain barrier.
D. The liver will increase metabolism to compensate for low protein.
E. There will be an increased fraction of free, active drug in the circulation.
Correct Answer: E
Albumin is the most important protein to which drugs bind in the plasma. When albumin
levels are low, there are fewer binding sites available, leading to an increase in the
concentration of free (unbound) drug. Because only free drug is pharmacologically active,
this can lead to increased intensity of drug responses or toxicity.
5. Which parameter should the nurse monitor most closely to assess the primary organ
responsible for drug excretion?
A. Serum creatinine and GFR
B. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
C. Serum amylase
D. Total bilirubin levels
Correct Answer: A
Pharmacology in Nursing | Actual Q&A
with Rationale (NUR378 Exam 1) |
Concordia
1. A nurse is reviewing the pharmacokinetics of a newly prescribed medication. Which
process describes the movement of a drug from its site of administration into the blood?
A. Metabolism
B. Distribution
C. Excretion
D. Absorption
Correct Answer: D
Absorption is the movement of a drug from its site of administration into the bloodstream.
The rate of absorption determines how soon effects will begin, while the amount of
absorption determines how intense the effects will be. Factors such as surface area, blood
flow, and lipid solubility significantly influence this process.
2. When administering a drug with a high first-pass effect, which route of administration
would the nurse expect to be avoided to ensure maximum bioavailability?
A. Oral
B. Sublingual
,C. Intravenous
D. Transdermal
Correct Answer: A
Drugs administered orally are absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and carried
directly to the liver via the hepatic portal vein. If the liver has a high capacity to metabolize
the drug, it may be completely inactivated before reaching the systemic circulation. This
phenomenon is known as the first-pass effect, making the oral route less effective for
certain medications.
3. A patient has been taking a medication that has a half-life of 4 hours. If the dose is
administered at 0800, at what time will approximately 75% of the drug be eliminated from
the body?
A. 1200
B. 0000
C. 2000
D. 1600
Correct Answer: D
The half-life is the time required for the amount of drug in the body to decrease by 50%.
After one half-life (4 hours, at 1200), 50% remains; after two half-lives (8 hours, at 1600),
25% remains, meaning 75% has been eliminated. Understanding half-life is critical for
determining dosing intervals and predicting drug accumulation.
, 4. The nurse is caring for a patient with severe hypoalbuminemia. Which statement best
describes the risk associated with administering highly protein-bound drugs to this patient?
A. The drug will be excreted more slowly by the kidneys.
B. The drug will bind to red blood cells instead of albumin.
C. The drug will be unable to cross the blood-brain barrier.
D. The liver will increase metabolism to compensate for low protein.
E. There will be an increased fraction of free, active drug in the circulation.
Correct Answer: E
Albumin is the most important protein to which drugs bind in the plasma. When albumin
levels are low, there are fewer binding sites available, leading to an increase in the
concentration of free (unbound) drug. Because only free drug is pharmacologically active,
this can lead to increased intensity of drug responses or toxicity.
5. Which parameter should the nurse monitor most closely to assess the primary organ
responsible for drug excretion?
A. Serum creatinine and GFR
B. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
C. Serum amylase
D. Total bilirubin levels
Correct Answer: A
