NURS 180 COMPREHENSIVE
PHARMACOLOGY (WEEKS 1-14)
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient with chronic renal failure is prescribed a drug that is primarily excreted by the
kidneys. Which pharmacokinetic change should the nurse anticipate?
A. Increased rate of drug metabolism
B. Decreased duration of drug action
C. Decreased bioavailability of the drug
D. Increased half-life of the drug
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Renal impairment slows the excretion of drugs, leading to a
longer half-life and potential accumulation/toxicity.
2. When administering a drug with a narrow therapeutic index, which nursing action is most
critical?
A. Monitor serum drug levels frequently
B. Assess the patient’s heart rate every 4 hours
C. Ensure the patient takes the drug with food
,D. Instruct the patient to increase fluid intake
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Drugs with a narrow therapeutic index have a small margin of
safety; serum levels must be monitored to avoid toxicity.
3. A patient is receiving a competitive antagonist. What describes the mechanism of this
drug?
A. It binds to a receptor and produces a maximal response
B. It binds to the receptor and prevents the agonist from binding
C. It permanently deactivates the receptor site
D. It increases the sensitivity of the receptor to hormones
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Competitive antagonists compete with agonists for the same
receptor site; their effect can be overcome by increasing agonist concentration.
4. The ‘first-pass effect’ primarily affects which route of administration?
A. Intramuscular
B. Sublingual
C. Intravenous
D. Oral
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Orally administered drugs are absorbed in the GI tract and pass
through the liver via the portal vein, where they may be metabolized before reaching
systemic circulation.
5. A patient is prescribed Albuterol, a Beta-2 agonist. The nurse should monitor for which
adverse effect related to Beta-1 crossover?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Tachycardia
C. Bronchoconstriction
D. Bradycardia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: While Albuterol is selective for Beta-2 receptors (lungs), high
doses can stimulate Beta-1 receptors in the heart, causing tachycardia.
6. Which assessment finding in a patient taking Digoxin requires immediate notification to
the provider?
A. Heart rate of 62 beats/min
B. Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg
C. Increased urinary output
D. Complaints of yellow-green halos around lights
PHARMACOLOGY (WEEKS 1-14)
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient with chronic renal failure is prescribed a drug that is primarily excreted by the
kidneys. Which pharmacokinetic change should the nurse anticipate?
A. Increased rate of drug metabolism
B. Decreased duration of drug action
C. Decreased bioavailability of the drug
D. Increased half-life of the drug
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Renal impairment slows the excretion of drugs, leading to a
longer half-life and potential accumulation/toxicity.
2. When administering a drug with a narrow therapeutic index, which nursing action is most
critical?
A. Monitor serum drug levels frequently
B. Assess the patient’s heart rate every 4 hours
C. Ensure the patient takes the drug with food
,D. Instruct the patient to increase fluid intake
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Drugs with a narrow therapeutic index have a small margin of
safety; serum levels must be monitored to avoid toxicity.
3. A patient is receiving a competitive antagonist. What describes the mechanism of this
drug?
A. It binds to a receptor and produces a maximal response
B. It binds to the receptor and prevents the agonist from binding
C. It permanently deactivates the receptor site
D. It increases the sensitivity of the receptor to hormones
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Competitive antagonists compete with agonists for the same
receptor site; their effect can be overcome by increasing agonist concentration.
4. The ‘first-pass effect’ primarily affects which route of administration?
A. Intramuscular
B. Sublingual
C. Intravenous
D. Oral
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Orally administered drugs are absorbed in the GI tract and pass
through the liver via the portal vein, where they may be metabolized before reaching
systemic circulation.
5. A patient is prescribed Albuterol, a Beta-2 agonist. The nurse should monitor for which
adverse effect related to Beta-1 crossover?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Tachycardia
C. Bronchoconstriction
D. Bradycardia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: While Albuterol is selective for Beta-2 receptors (lungs), high
doses can stimulate Beta-1 receptors in the heart, causing tachycardia.
6. Which assessment finding in a patient taking Digoxin requires immediate notification to
the provider?
A. Heart rate of 62 beats/min
B. Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg
C. Increased urinary output
D. Complaints of yellow-green halos around lights
