Page 1 of 46
NUR 210 EXAM 2 V3 – 2026 PRINCIPLES OF
PHARMACOLOGY COMPLETE (120) CURRENT TESTING
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES.
PHARMACOLOGY
Prepare effectively for the NUR 210 Exam 2 V3 – Principles of Pharmacology with this
comprehensive study resource. This PDF reviews essential pharmacology principles,
medication classifications, mechanisms of action, safe medication administration,
and other key concepts commonly covered on the exam. It is ideal for self-study,
course review, and final exam preparation. A valuable resource for nursing students
seeking to strengthen their knowledge and improve their confidence before exam day.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Section 1: Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics (Questions 1–20)
1. The movement of a drug from its site of administration into the
bloodstream is known as:
A) Distribution
B) Metabolism
C) Absorption
D) Excretion
Answer: C
Rationale: Absorption is the process by which a drug moves from its site
of administration into the bloodstream. Distribution is the transport of the
drug throughout the body; metabolism is biotransformation; excretion is
elimination from the body .
2. Which route of drug administration provides the fastest absorption into
the systemic circulation?
A) Oral
B) Subcutaneous
, Page 2 of 46
C) Intramuscular
D) Intravenous
Answer: D
Rationale: Intravenous (IV) administration delivers the drug directly into
the bloodstream, resulting in 100% bioavailability and the fastest onset of
action. Oral, subcutaneous, and intramuscular routes require absorption
before entering systemic circulation.
3. The term "bioavailability" refers to:
A) The percentage of an administered drug dose that reaches the systemic
circulation
B) The amount of drug bound to plasma proteins
C) The time required for a drug to reach its peak effect
D) The volume of distribution of a drug
Answer: A
Rationale: Bioavailability is the fraction of the administered dose of a drug
that reaches the systemic circulation in an unchanged form. IV drugs have
100% bioavailability; oral drugs have lower bioavailability due to first-pass
metabolism .
4. The first-pass effect occurs when a drug is:
A) Absorbed through the skin and bypasses the liver
B) Metabolized in the liver before reaching systemic circulation after oral
administration
C) Excreted unchanged by the kidneys
D) Bound to plasma proteins and inactive
Answer: B
Rationale: The first-pass effect (or first-pass metabolism) occurs when an
orally administered drug is absorbed from the GI tract and travels via the
portal vein to the liver, where it is extensively metabolized before reaching
systemic circulation .
, Page 3 of 46
5. A drug with a high degree of protein binding will have which effect on
drug distribution?
A) Increased free drug concentration in the blood
B) Decreased duration of action
C) Increased volume of distribution
D) Reduced free drug concentration, with only the unbound fraction being
pharmacologically active
Answer: D
Rationale: Only the unbound (free) fraction of a drug is pharmacologically
active. Drugs that are highly protein-bound (e.g., warfarin) have a smaller
fraction of active drug, and changes in protein binding can significantly
affect drug effects and interactions .
6. The cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzyme system is primarily responsible
for:
A) Excretion of water-soluble drugs
B) Phase I metabolism (oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis) of drugs
C) Phase II conjugation reactions
D) Absorption of drugs from the GI tract
Answer: B
Rationale: The CYP450 enzyme system, located primarily in the liver, is
responsible for Phase I metabolism reactions, which make drugs more
polar and easier to excrete. Phase II metabolism involves conjugation
reactions .
7. Which of the following terms describes the time required for the
plasma concentration of a drug to decrease by 50%?
A) Onset of action
B) Duration of action
C) Half-life (t½)
D) Peak plasma level
, Page 4 of 46
Answer: C
Rationale: Half-life (t½) is the time required for the plasma concentration
of a drug to decrease by 50%. It is a key pharmacokinetic parameter used
to determine dosing intervals and time to steady state .
8. Steady state of a drug is typically achieved after approximately how
many half-lives?
A) 1–2 half-lives
B) 3–5 half-lives
C) 6–8 half-lives
D) 10–12 half-lives
Answer: B
Rationale: Steady state (when drug elimination equals drug
administration) is typically reached after 3–5 half-lives of continuous
dosing. At this point, the drug concentration in the body remains relatively
constant .
9. The therapeutic index (TI) of a drug is:
A) The ratio of the drug's ED50 to its LD50
B) The ratio of a drug's LD50 to its ED50
C) The time to peak plasma concentration
D) The volume of distribution
Answer: B
Rationale: The therapeutic index (TI) is the ratio of the lethal dose for 50%
of the population (LD50) to the effective dose for 50% of the population
(ED50). A higher TI indicates a wider margin of safety .
10. A drug with a narrow therapeutic index (e.g., digoxin, lithium) requires:
A) Less frequent monitoring
B) No special monitoring
NUR 210 EXAM 2 V3 – 2026 PRINCIPLES OF
PHARMACOLOGY COMPLETE (120) CURRENT TESTING
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES.
PHARMACOLOGY
Prepare effectively for the NUR 210 Exam 2 V3 – Principles of Pharmacology with this
comprehensive study resource. This PDF reviews essential pharmacology principles,
medication classifications, mechanisms of action, safe medication administration,
and other key concepts commonly covered on the exam. It is ideal for self-study,
course review, and final exam preparation. A valuable resource for nursing students
seeking to strengthen their knowledge and improve their confidence before exam day.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Section 1: Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics (Questions 1–20)
1. The movement of a drug from its site of administration into the
bloodstream is known as:
A) Distribution
B) Metabolism
C) Absorption
D) Excretion
Answer: C
Rationale: Absorption is the process by which a drug moves from its site
of administration into the bloodstream. Distribution is the transport of the
drug throughout the body; metabolism is biotransformation; excretion is
elimination from the body .
2. Which route of drug administration provides the fastest absorption into
the systemic circulation?
A) Oral
B) Subcutaneous
, Page 2 of 46
C) Intramuscular
D) Intravenous
Answer: D
Rationale: Intravenous (IV) administration delivers the drug directly into
the bloodstream, resulting in 100% bioavailability and the fastest onset of
action. Oral, subcutaneous, and intramuscular routes require absorption
before entering systemic circulation.
3. The term "bioavailability" refers to:
A) The percentage of an administered drug dose that reaches the systemic
circulation
B) The amount of drug bound to plasma proteins
C) The time required for a drug to reach its peak effect
D) The volume of distribution of a drug
Answer: A
Rationale: Bioavailability is the fraction of the administered dose of a drug
that reaches the systemic circulation in an unchanged form. IV drugs have
100% bioavailability; oral drugs have lower bioavailability due to first-pass
metabolism .
4. The first-pass effect occurs when a drug is:
A) Absorbed through the skin and bypasses the liver
B) Metabolized in the liver before reaching systemic circulation after oral
administration
C) Excreted unchanged by the kidneys
D) Bound to plasma proteins and inactive
Answer: B
Rationale: The first-pass effect (or first-pass metabolism) occurs when an
orally administered drug is absorbed from the GI tract and travels via the
portal vein to the liver, where it is extensively metabolized before reaching
systemic circulation .
, Page 3 of 46
5. A drug with a high degree of protein binding will have which effect on
drug distribution?
A) Increased free drug concentration in the blood
B) Decreased duration of action
C) Increased volume of distribution
D) Reduced free drug concentration, with only the unbound fraction being
pharmacologically active
Answer: D
Rationale: Only the unbound (free) fraction of a drug is pharmacologically
active. Drugs that are highly protein-bound (e.g., warfarin) have a smaller
fraction of active drug, and changes in protein binding can significantly
affect drug effects and interactions .
6. The cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzyme system is primarily responsible
for:
A) Excretion of water-soluble drugs
B) Phase I metabolism (oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis) of drugs
C) Phase II conjugation reactions
D) Absorption of drugs from the GI tract
Answer: B
Rationale: The CYP450 enzyme system, located primarily in the liver, is
responsible for Phase I metabolism reactions, which make drugs more
polar and easier to excrete. Phase II metabolism involves conjugation
reactions .
7. Which of the following terms describes the time required for the
plasma concentration of a drug to decrease by 50%?
A) Onset of action
B) Duration of action
C) Half-life (t½)
D) Peak plasma level
, Page 4 of 46
Answer: C
Rationale: Half-life (t½) is the time required for the plasma concentration
of a drug to decrease by 50%. It is a key pharmacokinetic parameter used
to determine dosing intervals and time to steady state .
8. Steady state of a drug is typically achieved after approximately how
many half-lives?
A) 1–2 half-lives
B) 3–5 half-lives
C) 6–8 half-lives
D) 10–12 half-lives
Answer: B
Rationale: Steady state (when drug elimination equals drug
administration) is typically reached after 3–5 half-lives of continuous
dosing. At this point, the drug concentration in the body remains relatively
constant .
9. The therapeutic index (TI) of a drug is:
A) The ratio of the drug's ED50 to its LD50
B) The ratio of a drug's LD50 to its ED50
C) The time to peak plasma concentration
D) The volume of distribution
Answer: B
Rationale: The therapeutic index (TI) is the ratio of the lethal dose for 50%
of the population (LD50) to the effective dose for 50% of the population
(ED50). A higher TI indicates a wider margin of safety .
10. A drug with a narrow therapeutic index (e.g., digoxin, lithium) requires:
A) Less frequent monitoring
B) No special monitoring
