NUR 210 PRINCIPLES OF
PHARMACOLOGY | GALEN COLLEGE OF
NURSING | ACADEMIC YEAR 2026/2027 |
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
• Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
• Autonomic Nervous System Pharmacology
• Cardiovascular and Renal Pharmacology
• Endocrine Pharmacology
• Antimicrobial Therapy
• Central Nervous System Pharmacology
• Gastrointestinal and Respiratory Pharmacology
• Nursing Process and Medication Safety
Introduction
The NUR 210 Principles of Pharmacology examination assesses the nursing
student's mastery of foundational pharmacology concepts essential for safe
medication administration. This assessment evaluates understanding of
,pharmacokinetic principles, pharmacodynamic mechanisms, drug
classifications, therapeutic applications, and adverse effects across major body
systems. The multiple-choice and scenario-based structure emphasizes clinical
application, nursing considerations, and critical thinking in medication
management. Candidates must demonstrate competency in drug calculations,
patient monitoring, and evidence-based pharmacological interventions.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
Which term describes the study of what the body does to a drug?
A. Pharmacodynamics
B. Pharmacokinetics
C. Pharmacotherapeutics
D. Pharmacognosy
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: Pharmacokinetics involves the processes of absorption,
distribution, metabolism, and excretion (what the body does to the drug) .
Question 2
A drug that binds to a receptor and produces a maximal biological response is
called a(n):
A. Antagonist
B. Partial agonist
C. Agonist
D. Inhibitor
Correct answer: C
RATIONALE: An agonist is a drug that binds to a receptor and triggers a
biological response, mimicking the body's own regulatory molecules .
,Question 3
The process by which a drug is chemically converted in the body to an altered
form is called:
A. Absorption
B. Distribution
C. Metabolism
D. Excretion
Correct answer: C
RATIONALE: Metabolism (biotransformation) is the chemical alteration
of a drug into a metabolite, occurring primarily in the liver .
Question 4
Which organ is the primary site for drug excretion?
A. Liver
B. Lungs
C. Intestines
D. Kidneys
Correct answer: D
RATIONALE: The kidneys are the primary organs responsible for
eliminating drugs from the body .
Question 5
The 'first-pass effect' most significantly affects drugs administered by which
route?
A. Intravenous
B. Oral
C. Sublingual
D. Transdermal
Correct answer: B
, RATIONALE: Orally administered drugs pass through the liver via the
portal vein before reaching systemic circulation, which can greatly reduce the
active drug amount .
Question 6
What is the term for the time required for the serum concentration of a drug
to decrease by 50%?
A. Duration of action
B. Peak effect
C. Half-life
D. Onset of action
Correct answer: C
RATIONALE: Half-life is the time it takes for one-half of the original
amount of a drug to be removed from the body .
Question 7
Which drug name is the official, nonproprietary name used in the United
States Pharmacopeia?
A. Trade name
B. Chemical name
C. Generic name
D. Brand name
Correct answer: C
RATIONALE: The generic name is the official name and is typically
written in lowercase, unlike trade names .
Question 8
A drug with a narrow therapeutic index requires:
A. No monitoring
B. Infrequent monitoring
PHARMACOLOGY | GALEN COLLEGE OF
NURSING | ACADEMIC YEAR 2026/2027 |
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
• Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
• Autonomic Nervous System Pharmacology
• Cardiovascular and Renal Pharmacology
• Endocrine Pharmacology
• Antimicrobial Therapy
• Central Nervous System Pharmacology
• Gastrointestinal and Respiratory Pharmacology
• Nursing Process and Medication Safety
Introduction
The NUR 210 Principles of Pharmacology examination assesses the nursing
student's mastery of foundational pharmacology concepts essential for safe
medication administration. This assessment evaluates understanding of
,pharmacokinetic principles, pharmacodynamic mechanisms, drug
classifications, therapeutic applications, and adverse effects across major body
systems. The multiple-choice and scenario-based structure emphasizes clinical
application, nursing considerations, and critical thinking in medication
management. Candidates must demonstrate competency in drug calculations,
patient monitoring, and evidence-based pharmacological interventions.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
Which term describes the study of what the body does to a drug?
A. Pharmacodynamics
B. Pharmacokinetics
C. Pharmacotherapeutics
D. Pharmacognosy
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: Pharmacokinetics involves the processes of absorption,
distribution, metabolism, and excretion (what the body does to the drug) .
Question 2
A drug that binds to a receptor and produces a maximal biological response is
called a(n):
A. Antagonist
B. Partial agonist
C. Agonist
D. Inhibitor
Correct answer: C
RATIONALE: An agonist is a drug that binds to a receptor and triggers a
biological response, mimicking the body's own regulatory molecules .
,Question 3
The process by which a drug is chemically converted in the body to an altered
form is called:
A. Absorption
B. Distribution
C. Metabolism
D. Excretion
Correct answer: C
RATIONALE: Metabolism (biotransformation) is the chemical alteration
of a drug into a metabolite, occurring primarily in the liver .
Question 4
Which organ is the primary site for drug excretion?
A. Liver
B. Lungs
C. Intestines
D. Kidneys
Correct answer: D
RATIONALE: The kidneys are the primary organs responsible for
eliminating drugs from the body .
Question 5
The 'first-pass effect' most significantly affects drugs administered by which
route?
A. Intravenous
B. Oral
C. Sublingual
D. Transdermal
Correct answer: B
, RATIONALE: Orally administered drugs pass through the liver via the
portal vein before reaching systemic circulation, which can greatly reduce the
active drug amount .
Question 6
What is the term for the time required for the serum concentration of a drug
to decrease by 50%?
A. Duration of action
B. Peak effect
C. Half-life
D. Onset of action
Correct answer: C
RATIONALE: Half-life is the time it takes for one-half of the original
amount of a drug to be removed from the body .
Question 7
Which drug name is the official, nonproprietary name used in the United
States Pharmacopeia?
A. Trade name
B. Chemical name
C. Generic name
D. Brand name
Correct answer: C
RATIONALE: The generic name is the official name and is typically
written in lowercase, unlike trade names .
Question 8
A drug with a narrow therapeutic index requires:
A. No monitoring
B. Infrequent monitoring
