NR565 ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY FUNDAMENTALS
250-Question Practice Exam | Answers & Rationales
Question 1
1. The study of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion is
known as:
A) Pharmacotherapeutics
B) Pharmacodynamics
C) Pharmacokinetics
D) Pharmacognosy
Answer
Answer C:
Rationale
Pharmacokinetics is the study of what the body does to a drug (ADME).
,Pharmacodynamics is what the drug does to the body. ---
Question 2
2. A drug has a half-life of 24 hours. Approximately how many hours will it
take to reach steady state?
A) 24 hours
B) 48 hours
C) 120 hours (5 days)
D) 240 hours (10 days)
Answer
Answer C:
Rationale
Steady state is reached after approximately 4-5 half-lives. 24 hours × 5 = 120
hours (5 days). ---
Question 3
3. A patient is prescribed a drug that is a weak base with a pKa of 8.4. In
which part of the body will this drug be most highly ionized?
A) Stomach (pH 1.5-3.5)
B) Small intestine (pH 6-7)
C) Blood (pH 7.4)
D) Urine (pH 5-6)
,Answer
Answer B:
Rationale
Weak bases are more ionized (and less able to cross membranes) in acidic
environments. The small intestine has a higher pH, favoring ionization of a
weak base. ---
Question 4
4. A patient with liver cirrhosis is prescribed a medication that undergoes
extensive first-pass metabolism. What adjustment is most appropriate?
A) Increase the dose
B) Decrease the dose or use a route that bypasses first-pass metabolism
C) No dose adjustment is needed
D) Administer the medication with food
Answer
Answer B:
Rationale
Liver disease reduces first-pass metabolism, increasing bioavailability. Dose
reduction or alternative routes (IV, sublingual) may be needed. ---
, Question 5
5. Which CYP450 enzyme is responsible for metabolizing the largest
number of clinically used drugs?
A) CYP1A2
B) CYP2D6
C) CYP3A4
D) CYP2C9
Answer
Answer C:
Rationale
CYP3A4 is the most abundant and metabolizes approximately 50% of all
medications. ---
Question 6
6. A patient is started on a drug that is a CYP3A4 inhibitor. Which of the
following medications would require dose reduction due to this
interaction?
A) Lisinopril
B) Simvastatin
C) Metformin
D) Levothyroxine
250-Question Practice Exam | Answers & Rationales
Question 1
1. The study of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion is
known as:
A) Pharmacotherapeutics
B) Pharmacodynamics
C) Pharmacokinetics
D) Pharmacognosy
Answer
Answer C:
Rationale
Pharmacokinetics is the study of what the body does to a drug (ADME).
,Pharmacodynamics is what the drug does to the body. ---
Question 2
2. A drug has a half-life of 24 hours. Approximately how many hours will it
take to reach steady state?
A) 24 hours
B) 48 hours
C) 120 hours (5 days)
D) 240 hours (10 days)
Answer
Answer C:
Rationale
Steady state is reached after approximately 4-5 half-lives. 24 hours × 5 = 120
hours (5 days). ---
Question 3
3. A patient is prescribed a drug that is a weak base with a pKa of 8.4. In
which part of the body will this drug be most highly ionized?
A) Stomach (pH 1.5-3.5)
B) Small intestine (pH 6-7)
C) Blood (pH 7.4)
D) Urine (pH 5-6)
,Answer
Answer B:
Rationale
Weak bases are more ionized (and less able to cross membranes) in acidic
environments. The small intestine has a higher pH, favoring ionization of a
weak base. ---
Question 4
4. A patient with liver cirrhosis is prescribed a medication that undergoes
extensive first-pass metabolism. What adjustment is most appropriate?
A) Increase the dose
B) Decrease the dose or use a route that bypasses first-pass metabolism
C) No dose adjustment is needed
D) Administer the medication with food
Answer
Answer B:
Rationale
Liver disease reduces first-pass metabolism, increasing bioavailability. Dose
reduction or alternative routes (IV, sublingual) may be needed. ---
, Question 5
5. Which CYP450 enzyme is responsible for metabolizing the largest
number of clinically used drugs?
A) CYP1A2
B) CYP2D6
C) CYP3A4
D) CYP2C9
Answer
Answer C:
Rationale
CYP3A4 is the most abundant and metabolizes approximately 50% of all
medications. ---
Question 6
6. A patient is started on a drug that is a CYP3A4 inhibitor. Which of the
following medications would require dose reduction due to this
interaction?
A) Lisinopril
B) Simvastatin
C) Metformin
D) Levothyroxine
