NU 150 Final Exam Galen Pharmacology – (2026/2027)
Actual Questions, Verified Answers with Rationales |
Guarantee Pass
Section 1: Foundational Pharmacology & Pharmacokinetics
1. What term describes the combined effect of two drugs that is equal to the
sum of each drug given alone?
• A) Synergistic reaction
• B) Additive reaction
• C) Cumulative effect
• D) Idiosyncratic reaction
• Correct Answer: B
• Rationale: An additive reaction occurs when two drugs with similar actions
are combined, and the total effect is the sum of their individual effects .
2. What is the term for a substance that causes abnormal development of a
fetus, leading to deformities?
• A) Mutagen
• B) Carcinogen
• C) Teratogen
• D) Metabolite
• Correct Answer: C
• Rationale: A teratogen is any agent that can disturb the development of an
embryo or fetus, potentially causing congenital abnormalities .
3. What is the inactive form of the original drug called?
• A) Isomer
• B) Metabolite
, • C) Antagonist
• D) Agonist
• Correct Answer: B
• Rationale: A metabolite is the form of a drug after it has been metabolized
or broken down by the body, which is typically inactive or less active .
4. A patient with no known allergies (NKA) receives a new medication and
suddenly goes into cardiac arrest. Which type of reaction is this?
• A) Anaphylactic reaction
• B) Side effect
• C) Idiosyncratic reaction
• D) Hypersensitivity reaction
• Correct Answer: C
• Rationale: An idiosyncratic reaction is an unpredictable, abnormal response
to a drug that is not a typical side effect or allergy .
5. Which route of administration provides the most rapid absorption of a drug?
• A) Oral
• B) Intramuscular
• C) Subcutaneous
• D) Intravenous (IV)
• Correct Answer: D
• Rationale: Intravenous administration delivers the drug directly into the
bloodstream, achieving 100% bioavailability and the fastest onset of
action .
6. A drug that has a short half-life will need to be administered:
• A) Less frequently
• B) More frequently
, • C) Once daily
• D) Only with food
• Correct Answer: B
• Rationale: Half-life is the time it takes for the body to eliminate 50% of the
drug. A short half-life means the drug is eliminated quickly, requiring more
frequent dosing to maintain therapeutic levels .
7. Which organization is responsible for the approval of new drugs in the United
States?
• A) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• B) Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• C) Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
• D) National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• Correct Answer: B
• Rationale: The FDA is the regulatory body that evaluates and approves new
drugs for safety and efficacy before they can be marketed in the US .
8. Which phase of pharmacokinetics is responsible for moving a drug from the
GI tract into circulation?
• A) Distribution
• B) Metabolism
• C) Excretion
• D) Absorption
• Correct Answer: D
• Rationale: Absorption is the process by which a drug moves from its site of
administration into the bloodstream .
Section 2: Diabetes Medications
, 9. A patient with Type 1 diabetes mellitus will only receive which type of
medication?
• A) Oral hypoglycemics
• B) Insulin
• C) Both insulin and oral agents
• D) Dietary supplements
• Correct Answer: B
• Rationale: Type 1 diabetes is characterized by an absolute insulin deficiency
due to autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells; therefore,
exogenous insulin is always required .
10. Which of the following is NOT related to metformin?
• A) Makes the liver sensitive to insulin to reduce glucose production
• B) Helps muscle cells use glucose
• C) GI disturbances such as flatulence and diarrhea
• D) Stimulates the beta cells to release insulin to lower blood glucose
• Correct Answer: D
• Rationale: Metformin works by decreasing hepatic glucose production and
increasing insulin sensitivity, not by stimulating the pancreas to secrete
insulin .
11. A nurse is reviewing a patient's labs. A Hemoglobin A1c (HgbA1c) test
measures how much glucose attaches to RBCs during their lifespan.
• A) True
• B) False
• Correct Answer: A
• Rationale: The HgbA1c test reflects the average blood glucose levels over
the previous 120 days, which is the lifespan of a red blood cell .
Actual Questions, Verified Answers with Rationales |
Guarantee Pass
Section 1: Foundational Pharmacology & Pharmacokinetics
1. What term describes the combined effect of two drugs that is equal to the
sum of each drug given alone?
• A) Synergistic reaction
• B) Additive reaction
• C) Cumulative effect
• D) Idiosyncratic reaction
• Correct Answer: B
• Rationale: An additive reaction occurs when two drugs with similar actions
are combined, and the total effect is the sum of their individual effects .
2. What is the term for a substance that causes abnormal development of a
fetus, leading to deformities?
• A) Mutagen
• B) Carcinogen
• C) Teratogen
• D) Metabolite
• Correct Answer: C
• Rationale: A teratogen is any agent that can disturb the development of an
embryo or fetus, potentially causing congenital abnormalities .
3. What is the inactive form of the original drug called?
• A) Isomer
• B) Metabolite
, • C) Antagonist
• D) Agonist
• Correct Answer: B
• Rationale: A metabolite is the form of a drug after it has been metabolized
or broken down by the body, which is typically inactive or less active .
4. A patient with no known allergies (NKA) receives a new medication and
suddenly goes into cardiac arrest. Which type of reaction is this?
• A) Anaphylactic reaction
• B) Side effect
• C) Idiosyncratic reaction
• D) Hypersensitivity reaction
• Correct Answer: C
• Rationale: An idiosyncratic reaction is an unpredictable, abnormal response
to a drug that is not a typical side effect or allergy .
5. Which route of administration provides the most rapid absorption of a drug?
• A) Oral
• B) Intramuscular
• C) Subcutaneous
• D) Intravenous (IV)
• Correct Answer: D
• Rationale: Intravenous administration delivers the drug directly into the
bloodstream, achieving 100% bioavailability and the fastest onset of
action .
6. A drug that has a short half-life will need to be administered:
• A) Less frequently
• B) More frequently
, • C) Once daily
• D) Only with food
• Correct Answer: B
• Rationale: Half-life is the time it takes for the body to eliminate 50% of the
drug. A short half-life means the drug is eliminated quickly, requiring more
frequent dosing to maintain therapeutic levels .
7. Which organization is responsible for the approval of new drugs in the United
States?
• A) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• B) Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• C) Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
• D) National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• Correct Answer: B
• Rationale: The FDA is the regulatory body that evaluates and approves new
drugs for safety and efficacy before they can be marketed in the US .
8. Which phase of pharmacokinetics is responsible for moving a drug from the
GI tract into circulation?
• A) Distribution
• B) Metabolism
• C) Excretion
• D) Absorption
• Correct Answer: D
• Rationale: Absorption is the process by which a drug moves from its site of
administration into the bloodstream .
Section 2: Diabetes Medications
, 9. A patient with Type 1 diabetes mellitus will only receive which type of
medication?
• A) Oral hypoglycemics
• B) Insulin
• C) Both insulin and oral agents
• D) Dietary supplements
• Correct Answer: B
• Rationale: Type 1 diabetes is characterized by an absolute insulin deficiency
due to autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells; therefore,
exogenous insulin is always required .
10. Which of the following is NOT related to metformin?
• A) Makes the liver sensitive to insulin to reduce glucose production
• B) Helps muscle cells use glucose
• C) GI disturbances such as flatulence and diarrhea
• D) Stimulates the beta cells to release insulin to lower blood glucose
• Correct Answer: D
• Rationale: Metformin works by decreasing hepatic glucose production and
increasing insulin sensitivity, not by stimulating the pancreas to secrete
insulin .
11. A nurse is reviewing a patient's labs. A Hemoglobin A1c (HgbA1c) test
measures how much glucose attaches to RBCs during their lifespan.
• A) True
• B) False
• Correct Answer: A
• Rationale: The HgbA1c test reflects the average blood glucose levels over
the previous 120 days, which is the lifespan of a red blood cell .
