PHARMACOLOGY WEEK QUIZ (NURS
180) 2026 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient is prescribed a drug that has a high ‘first-pass effect.’ Which route of
administration would result in the lowest bioavailability for this drug?
A. Intravenous (IV)
B. Oral (PO)
C. Sublingual (SL)
D. Intramuscular (IM)
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The first-pass effect refers to the metabolism of a drug by the
liver after it is absorbed from the GI tract but before it reaches systemic circulation. Oral
administration is the primary route affected.
2. Which pharmacokinetic process is most affected by a patient’s serum albumin levels?
A. Absorption
B. Metabolism
C. Distribution
D. Excretion
,Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Distribution is influenced by protein binding. Many drugs bind
to albumin; if albumin is low, more free drug is available in the blood, potentially leading to
toxicity.
3. A drug has a half-life of 4 hours. If 1000 mg is administered, how much of the drug will
remain in the body after 12 hours?
A. 125 mg
B. 250 mg
C. 500 mg
D. 62.5 mg
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: After 4 hours (1 half-life): 500 mg. After 8 hours (2 half-lives):
250 mg. After 12 hours (3 half-lives): 125 mg.
4. A patient with chronic renal failure is receiving a drug that is primarily excreted by the
kidneys. The nurse should expect the physician to order which of the following?
A. An increased dose to overcome poor excretion
B. Switching to an oral route for slower absorption
C. Frequent administration of a diuretic
D. A decreased dose or longer dosing interval
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Renal impairment slows drug clearance. To prevent toxicity, the
dose must be decreased or the time between doses must be increased.
5. Which term describes a drug that binds to a receptor and produces a maximal response
that mimics the endogenous ligand?
A. Antagonist
B. Full Agonist
C. Partial Agonist
D. Inverse Agonist
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A full agonist binds to the receptor and produces the maximum
possible biological response, mimicking natural substances.
6. What is the primary purpose of a ‘loading dose’?
A. To reach a therapeutic steady-state concentration more quickly
B. To bypass the first-pass metabolism
C. To reduce the risk of allergic reactions
D. To minimize the duration of the drug’s half-life
Answer: A
180) 2026 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient is prescribed a drug that has a high ‘first-pass effect.’ Which route of
administration would result in the lowest bioavailability for this drug?
A. Intravenous (IV)
B. Oral (PO)
C. Sublingual (SL)
D. Intramuscular (IM)
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The first-pass effect refers to the metabolism of a drug by the
liver after it is absorbed from the GI tract but before it reaches systemic circulation. Oral
administration is the primary route affected.
2. Which pharmacokinetic process is most affected by a patient’s serum albumin levels?
A. Absorption
B. Metabolism
C. Distribution
D. Excretion
,Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Distribution is influenced by protein binding. Many drugs bind
to albumin; if albumin is low, more free drug is available in the blood, potentially leading to
toxicity.
3. A drug has a half-life of 4 hours. If 1000 mg is administered, how much of the drug will
remain in the body after 12 hours?
A. 125 mg
B. 250 mg
C. 500 mg
D. 62.5 mg
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: After 4 hours (1 half-life): 500 mg. After 8 hours (2 half-lives):
250 mg. After 12 hours (3 half-lives): 125 mg.
4. A patient with chronic renal failure is receiving a drug that is primarily excreted by the
kidneys. The nurse should expect the physician to order which of the following?
A. An increased dose to overcome poor excretion
B. Switching to an oral route for slower absorption
C. Frequent administration of a diuretic
D. A decreased dose or longer dosing interval
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Renal impairment slows drug clearance. To prevent toxicity, the
dose must be decreased or the time between doses must be increased.
5. Which term describes a drug that binds to a receptor and produces a maximal response
that mimics the endogenous ligand?
A. Antagonist
B. Full Agonist
C. Partial Agonist
D. Inverse Agonist
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A full agonist binds to the receptor and produces the maximum
possible biological response, mimicking natural substances.
6. What is the primary purpose of a ‘loading dose’?
A. To reach a therapeutic steady-state concentration more quickly
B. To bypass the first-pass metabolism
C. To reduce the risk of allergic reactions
D. To minimize the duration of the drug’s half-life
Answer: A
