NRG 200 Pharmacology for Human Caring
Nursing – Final Exam Multiple Choice
Questions with Correct Answers and
Explanations
Question 1: A nurse is reviewing the medication administration record and
notes a medication is ordered "PC." When should the nurse administer this
medication?
• A) Before meals
• B) At bedtime
• C) After meals
• D) As needed
Answer: C
Explanation: "PC" is an abbreviation for post cibum, Latin for "after meals."
"Before meals" is AC (ante cibum), "at bedtime" is HS (hora somni), and "as
needed" is PRN (pro re nata). The nurse should verify all abbreviations to
prevent medication errors.
Question 2: What is the study of how a drug moves through the body,
including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion?
• A) Pharmacodynamics
• B) Pharmacokinetics
• C) Pharmacotherapeutics
• D) Toxicology
Answer: B
Explanation: Pharmacokinetics describes what the body does to the drug,
encompassing absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME).
,Pharmacodynamics describes what the drug does to the body, including the
mechanism of action and therapeutic effects.
Question 3: A medication order reads "Metoprolol 25 mg PO BID." What does
"BID" indicate?
• A) Once daily
• B) Twice daily
• C) Three times daily
• D) Four times daily
Answer: B
Explanation: BID is an abbreviation for bis in die, meaning twice a day. QD is
once daily (quaque die), TID is three times daily (ter in die), and QID is four
times daily (quater in die). The nurse should clarify any unclear abbreviations to
prevent errors.
Question 4: A patient is prescribed a medication that has a narrow
therapeutic index. Which statement best describes this characteristic?
• A) The drug has a wide margin of safety
• B) Small changes in dose can lead to toxicity or treatment failure
• C) The drug is safe for all patients
• D) The drug does not require monitoring
Answer: B
Explanation: A narrow therapeutic index means there is a small margin between
therapeutic and toxic doses. Drugs with narrow therapeutic indices (e.g.,
digoxin, warfarin, lithium, phenytoin) require careful monitoring of serum levels
to maintain efficacy and prevent toxicity.
,Question 5: The nurse is administering a sustained-release capsule. Which
action is correct?
• A) Crush the capsule and mix with applesauce
• B) Administer the capsule whole without crushing
• C) Open the capsule and sprinkle on food
• D) Chew the capsule for faster absorption
Answer: B
Explanation: Sustained-release (SR) or extended-release (ER) formulations
should be administered whole without crushing or chewing. Crushing destroys
the release mechanism, potentially causing toxicity. Some capsules may be
opened if specifically indicated, but sustained-release formulations should never
be crushed.
Question 6: A patient is prescribed a medication with a half-life of 6 hours.
After 24 hours, what percentage of the drug remains in the body?
• A) 50%
• B) 25%
• C) 12.5%
• D) 6.25%
Answer: D
Explanation: After 24 hours (4 half-lives), 6.25% of the drug remains.
Calculations: 100% → 50% (1 half-life) → 25% (2 half-lives) → 12.5% (3 half-
lives) → 6.25% (4 half-lives). This demonstrates exponential drug elimination.
Question 7: The nurse is administering a medication via the sublingual route.
Which action is correct?
• A) Have the patient swallow the tablet immediately
• B) Place the tablet under the tongue and allow it to dissolve
, • C) Place the tablet between the cheek and gum
• D) Crush the tablet and mix with water
Answer: B
Explanation: Sublingual administration involves placing the tablet under the
tongue, where it dissolves and is absorbed directly into the bloodstream,
bypassing first-pass metabolism. The patient should not swallow the tablet.
Buccal administration involves placing between the cheek and gum.
Question 8: The nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection.
Which site is preferred for a large volume (up to 3 mL) injection?
• A) Deltoid
• B) Ventrogluteal
• C) Dorsogluteal
• D) Vastus lateralis
Answer: B
Explanation: The ventrogluteal site is preferred for larger volume IM injections
(up to 3 mL) due to its location away from major nerves and blood vessels. The
deltoid is used for small volumes (up to 1 mL). The dorsogluteal site is no longer
recommended due to risk of sciatic nerve injury.
Question 9: A patient asks the nurse what the term "generic name" means.
Which response is correct?
• A) The official nonproprietary name of the drug
• B) The brand name assigned by the manufacturer
• C) The chemical composition of the drug
• D) The name used in clinical trials
Answer: A
Nursing – Final Exam Multiple Choice
Questions with Correct Answers and
Explanations
Question 1: A nurse is reviewing the medication administration record and
notes a medication is ordered "PC." When should the nurse administer this
medication?
• A) Before meals
• B) At bedtime
• C) After meals
• D) As needed
Answer: C
Explanation: "PC" is an abbreviation for post cibum, Latin for "after meals."
"Before meals" is AC (ante cibum), "at bedtime" is HS (hora somni), and "as
needed" is PRN (pro re nata). The nurse should verify all abbreviations to
prevent medication errors.
Question 2: What is the study of how a drug moves through the body,
including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion?
• A) Pharmacodynamics
• B) Pharmacokinetics
• C) Pharmacotherapeutics
• D) Toxicology
Answer: B
Explanation: Pharmacokinetics describes what the body does to the drug,
encompassing absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME).
,Pharmacodynamics describes what the drug does to the body, including the
mechanism of action and therapeutic effects.
Question 3: A medication order reads "Metoprolol 25 mg PO BID." What does
"BID" indicate?
• A) Once daily
• B) Twice daily
• C) Three times daily
• D) Four times daily
Answer: B
Explanation: BID is an abbreviation for bis in die, meaning twice a day. QD is
once daily (quaque die), TID is three times daily (ter in die), and QID is four
times daily (quater in die). The nurse should clarify any unclear abbreviations to
prevent errors.
Question 4: A patient is prescribed a medication that has a narrow
therapeutic index. Which statement best describes this characteristic?
• A) The drug has a wide margin of safety
• B) Small changes in dose can lead to toxicity or treatment failure
• C) The drug is safe for all patients
• D) The drug does not require monitoring
Answer: B
Explanation: A narrow therapeutic index means there is a small margin between
therapeutic and toxic doses. Drugs with narrow therapeutic indices (e.g.,
digoxin, warfarin, lithium, phenytoin) require careful monitoring of serum levels
to maintain efficacy and prevent toxicity.
,Question 5: The nurse is administering a sustained-release capsule. Which
action is correct?
• A) Crush the capsule and mix with applesauce
• B) Administer the capsule whole without crushing
• C) Open the capsule and sprinkle on food
• D) Chew the capsule for faster absorption
Answer: B
Explanation: Sustained-release (SR) or extended-release (ER) formulations
should be administered whole without crushing or chewing. Crushing destroys
the release mechanism, potentially causing toxicity. Some capsules may be
opened if specifically indicated, but sustained-release formulations should never
be crushed.
Question 6: A patient is prescribed a medication with a half-life of 6 hours.
After 24 hours, what percentage of the drug remains in the body?
• A) 50%
• B) 25%
• C) 12.5%
• D) 6.25%
Answer: D
Explanation: After 24 hours (4 half-lives), 6.25% of the drug remains.
Calculations: 100% → 50% (1 half-life) → 25% (2 half-lives) → 12.5% (3 half-
lives) → 6.25% (4 half-lives). This demonstrates exponential drug elimination.
Question 7: The nurse is administering a medication via the sublingual route.
Which action is correct?
• A) Have the patient swallow the tablet immediately
• B) Place the tablet under the tongue and allow it to dissolve
, • C) Place the tablet between the cheek and gum
• D) Crush the tablet and mix with water
Answer: B
Explanation: Sublingual administration involves placing the tablet under the
tongue, where it dissolves and is absorbed directly into the bloodstream,
bypassing first-pass metabolism. The patient should not swallow the tablet.
Buccal administration involves placing between the cheek and gum.
Question 8: The nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection.
Which site is preferred for a large volume (up to 3 mL) injection?
• A) Deltoid
• B) Ventrogluteal
• C) Dorsogluteal
• D) Vastus lateralis
Answer: B
Explanation: The ventrogluteal site is preferred for larger volume IM injections
(up to 3 mL) due to its location away from major nerves and blood vessels. The
deltoid is used for small volumes (up to 1 mL). The dorsogluteal site is no longer
recommended due to risk of sciatic nerve injury.
Question 9: A patient asks the nurse what the term "generic name" means.
Which response is correct?
• A) The official nonproprietary name of the drug
• B) The brand name assigned by the manufacturer
• C) The chemical composition of the drug
• D) The name used in clinical trials
Answer: A
