,Maryville NURS 615 Final Exam | Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics
(2026) Q&A
1. Which term best describes the study of the biochemical and physiological effects
of drugs on the body and their mechanisms of action?
A) Pharmacokinetics
B) Pharmacodynamics
C) Pharmacotherapeutics
D) Pharmacogenetics
Correct Answer: B) Pharmacodynamics
Rationale: Pharmacodynamics is the study of what the drug does to the body,
including receptor binding, post-receptor effects, and chemical interactions.
Pharmacokinetics is what the body does to the drug (absorption, distribution,
metabolism, excretion). Pharmacotherapeutics is the use of drugs to treat disease,
and pharmacogenetics is the study of how genetic variations affect drug response.
2. According to the WHO 6-Step Model of Rational Prescribing, what is the FIRST
step?
A) Specify the therapeutic objective
B) Choose the treatment
C) Define the patient's problem (diagnose)
D) Educate the patient
Correct Answer: C) Define the patient's problem (diagnose)
,Rationale: The WHO model emphasizes starting with an accurate diagnosis before
any treatment can be selected. Without a diagnosis, rational prescribing is
impossible. The sequence is: 1. Diagnose, 2. Specify therapeutic objective, 3. Choose
treatment, 4. Start treatment, 5. Educate patient, 6. Monitor effectiveness.
3. First line treatment for an acute gout attack is:
A) Allopurinol
B) Febuxostat
C) Colchicine
D) Probenecid
Correct Answer: C) Colchicine
Rationale: Colchicine is the first-line treatment for acute gout attacks. It works by
reducing inflammation. Allopurinol and febuxostat are used for chronic urate-
lowering therapy and are not first-line for acute flares. Probenecid is a uricosuric
agent.
4. What is the low-dose colchicine regimen for acute gout?
A) 1.2 mg initially, followed by 0.6 mg one hour later
B) 1.2 mg followed by 0.6 mg every 4-6 hours
C) 0.6 mg every hour until relief, up to 4.8 mg total
D) 0.6 mg twice daily for 7 days
Correct Answer: A) 1.2 mg initially, followed by 0.6 mg one hour later
Rationale: Low-dose colchicine is 1.2 mg initially, followed by 0.6 mg one hour later.
High-dose regimens (1.2 mg followed by 0.6 mg every 4-6 hours) have been shown
to be no more effective and cause more adverse effects.
, 5. What should be monitored when a patient is taking allopurinol?
A) Serum potassium and sodium
B) BUN, creatinine, and uric acid
C) Liver function tests only
D) Complete blood count only
Correct Answer: B) BUN, creatinine, and uric acid
Rationale: When monitoring a patient on allopurinol, renal function should be
assessed with BUN, creatinine, and creatinine clearance, along with serum uric acid
levels. Liver function and CBC may also be monitored, but renal function and uric
acid are key.
6. What can amiodarone cause?
A) Hypokalemia
B) Hyperthyroidism
C) Hyperuricemia
D) Hypocalcemia
Correct Answer: B) Hyperthyroidism
Rationale: Amiodarone can cause hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism due to its high
iodine content. It can also cause pulmonary fibrosis, hepatotoxicity, and corneal
microdeposits. Regular monitoring of thyroid and pulmonary function is
recommended.
7. What should be monitored with canagliflozin (an SGLT-2 inhibitor)?
(2026) Q&A
1. Which term best describes the study of the biochemical and physiological effects
of drugs on the body and their mechanisms of action?
A) Pharmacokinetics
B) Pharmacodynamics
C) Pharmacotherapeutics
D) Pharmacogenetics
Correct Answer: B) Pharmacodynamics
Rationale: Pharmacodynamics is the study of what the drug does to the body,
including receptor binding, post-receptor effects, and chemical interactions.
Pharmacokinetics is what the body does to the drug (absorption, distribution,
metabolism, excretion). Pharmacotherapeutics is the use of drugs to treat disease,
and pharmacogenetics is the study of how genetic variations affect drug response.
2. According to the WHO 6-Step Model of Rational Prescribing, what is the FIRST
step?
A) Specify the therapeutic objective
B) Choose the treatment
C) Define the patient's problem (diagnose)
D) Educate the patient
Correct Answer: C) Define the patient's problem (diagnose)
,Rationale: The WHO model emphasizes starting with an accurate diagnosis before
any treatment can be selected. Without a diagnosis, rational prescribing is
impossible. The sequence is: 1. Diagnose, 2. Specify therapeutic objective, 3. Choose
treatment, 4. Start treatment, 5. Educate patient, 6. Monitor effectiveness.
3. First line treatment for an acute gout attack is:
A) Allopurinol
B) Febuxostat
C) Colchicine
D) Probenecid
Correct Answer: C) Colchicine
Rationale: Colchicine is the first-line treatment for acute gout attacks. It works by
reducing inflammation. Allopurinol and febuxostat are used for chronic urate-
lowering therapy and are not first-line for acute flares. Probenecid is a uricosuric
agent.
4. What is the low-dose colchicine regimen for acute gout?
A) 1.2 mg initially, followed by 0.6 mg one hour later
B) 1.2 mg followed by 0.6 mg every 4-6 hours
C) 0.6 mg every hour until relief, up to 4.8 mg total
D) 0.6 mg twice daily for 7 days
Correct Answer: A) 1.2 mg initially, followed by 0.6 mg one hour later
Rationale: Low-dose colchicine is 1.2 mg initially, followed by 0.6 mg one hour later.
High-dose regimens (1.2 mg followed by 0.6 mg every 4-6 hours) have been shown
to be no more effective and cause more adverse effects.
, 5. What should be monitored when a patient is taking allopurinol?
A) Serum potassium and sodium
B) BUN, creatinine, and uric acid
C) Liver function tests only
D) Complete blood count only
Correct Answer: B) BUN, creatinine, and uric acid
Rationale: When monitoring a patient on allopurinol, renal function should be
assessed with BUN, creatinine, and creatinine clearance, along with serum uric acid
levels. Liver function and CBC may also be monitored, but renal function and uric
acid are key.
6. What can amiodarone cause?
A) Hypokalemia
B) Hyperthyroidism
C) Hyperuricemia
D) Hypocalcemia
Correct Answer: B) Hyperthyroidism
Rationale: Amiodarone can cause hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism due to its high
iodine content. It can also cause pulmonary fibrosis, hepatotoxicity, and corneal
microdeposits. Regular monitoring of thyroid and pulmonary function is
recommended.
7. What should be monitored with canagliflozin (an SGLT-2 inhibitor)?
