PHARMACOLOGY NURS 180
COMPREHENSIVE 2026 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. Which pharmacokinetic process is primarily affected in a patient with significant hepatic
cirrhosis, potentially leading to drug toxicity?
A. Absorption
B. Metabolism
C. Distribution
D. Excretion
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The liver is the primary site of drug metabolism. Cirrhosis
reduces enzyme activity and blood flow, slowing the breakdown of drugs and increasing
the risk of toxic accumulation.
2. A drug has a half-life of 4 hours. If a dose of 400 mg is administered intravenously, how
much of the drug will remain in the patient’s system after 12 hours?
A. 100 mg
B. 25 mg
,C. 50 mg
D. 12.5 mg
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: After 1 half-life (4h): 200mg. After 2 half-lives (8h): 100mg.
After 3 half-lives (12h): 50mg.
3. A patient is prescribed Propranolol for hypertension. Which concurrent condition should
the nurse identify as a major contraindication for this non-selective beta-blocker?
A. Glaucoma
B. Asthma
C. Hyperthyroidism
D. Tachycardia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Non-selective beta-blockers like Propranolol block Beta-2
receptors in the lungs, which can cause bronchoconstriction, making it dangerous for
patients with asthma or COPD.
4. When administering Digoxin, which electrolyte imbalance most significantly increases the
risk of the patient developing Digoxin toxicity?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypocalcemia
, C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia (low potassium) sensitizes the myocardium to
digoxin, significantly increasing the risk of toxicity even within the therapeutic range.
5. A patient on Warfarin therapy has an INR of 8.5 and is experiencing epistaxis. Which
medication does the nurse anticipate the physician will order?
A. Protamine Sulfate
B. Vitamin K
C. Glucagon
D. Acetylcysteine
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Vitamin K (Phytonadione) is the specific antagonist used to
reverse the effects of Warfarin-induced anticoagulation.
6. Which laboratory value is critical for monitoring the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of
Unfractionated Heparin?
A. Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Prothrombin Time (PT)
COMPREHENSIVE 2026 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. Which pharmacokinetic process is primarily affected in a patient with significant hepatic
cirrhosis, potentially leading to drug toxicity?
A. Absorption
B. Metabolism
C. Distribution
D. Excretion
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The liver is the primary site of drug metabolism. Cirrhosis
reduces enzyme activity and blood flow, slowing the breakdown of drugs and increasing
the risk of toxic accumulation.
2. A drug has a half-life of 4 hours. If a dose of 400 mg is administered intravenously, how
much of the drug will remain in the patient’s system after 12 hours?
A. 100 mg
B. 25 mg
,C. 50 mg
D. 12.5 mg
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: After 1 half-life (4h): 200mg. After 2 half-lives (8h): 100mg.
After 3 half-lives (12h): 50mg.
3. A patient is prescribed Propranolol for hypertension. Which concurrent condition should
the nurse identify as a major contraindication for this non-selective beta-blocker?
A. Glaucoma
B. Asthma
C. Hyperthyroidism
D. Tachycardia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Non-selective beta-blockers like Propranolol block Beta-2
receptors in the lungs, which can cause bronchoconstriction, making it dangerous for
patients with asthma or COPD.
4. When administering Digoxin, which electrolyte imbalance most significantly increases the
risk of the patient developing Digoxin toxicity?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypocalcemia
, C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia (low potassium) sensitizes the myocardium to
digoxin, significantly increasing the risk of toxicity even within the therapeutic range.
5. A patient on Warfarin therapy has an INR of 8.5 and is experiencing epistaxis. Which
medication does the nurse anticipate the physician will order?
A. Protamine Sulfate
B. Vitamin K
C. Glucagon
D. Acetylcysteine
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Vitamin K (Phytonadione) is the specific antagonist used to
reverse the effects of Warfarin-induced anticoagulation.
6. Which laboratory value is critical for monitoring the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of
Unfractionated Heparin?
A. Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Prothrombin Time (PT)
