NU578 Exam 1 Practice Questions & Answers
(Verified Updated)
This comprehensive study guide is organized around the core
domains tested on NU578 Exam 1 at the University of South
Alabama, reflecting the 2026–2027 curriculum. It includes over
70 original practice questions with detailed rationales, covering
pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, autonomic nervous
system pharmacology, and key drug classes.
Section 1: Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics
Q1. What is the difference between an adverse effect and a side
effect?
A. They are the same thing
B. An adverse effect is an undesired effect; a side effect is a
nearly unavoidable secondary effect at therapeutic doses
C. A side effect is always more dangerous than an adverse effect
D. Adverse effects only occur with overdose
Answer: B
Rationale: An adverse effect is any undesired effect of a drug. A
side effect is a nearly unavoidable secondary drug effect
produced at therapeutic doses.
,Q2. What is drug toxicity?
A. A minor side effect
B. The degree of detrimental physiologic effects caused by
excessive drug dosing
C. An allergic reaction
D. A therapeutic effect
Answer: B
Rationale: Toxicity is the degree of detrimental physiologic
effects caused by excessive drug dosing.
Q3. What is absorption in pharmacokinetics?
A. The movement of a drug from its site of administration into
the blood
B. The movement of drug from blood to tissues
C. The chemical alteration of drug structure
D. The removal of drug from the body
Answer: A
Rationale: Absorption is the process of drug movement from its
site of administration into the blood, usually done by passive
diffusion.
Q4. What is distribution in pharmacokinetics?
A. The movement of a drug from its site of administration into
the blood
B. The drug movement from blood to the interstitial space of
tissues and into cells
, C. The chemical alteration of drug structure
D. The removal of drug from the body
Answer: B
Rationale: Distribution is the drug movement from blood to the
interstitial space of tissues and from there into the cells.
Q5. What is metabolism in pharmacokinetics?
A. The movement of a drug from its site of administration into
the blood
B. The drug movement from blood to tissues
C. The chemical alteration of drug structure
D. The removal of drug from the body
Answer: C
Rationale: Metabolism is the chemical alteration of drug
structure, usually producing a polar, water-soluble substance
that is easily excreted.
Q6. What is excretion in pharmacokinetics?
A. The movement of a drug from its site of administration into
the blood
B. The drug movement from blood to tissues
C. The chemical alteration of drug structure
D. The removal of drug from the body, mostly in kidneys by
urine excretion
(Verified Updated)
This comprehensive study guide is organized around the core
domains tested on NU578 Exam 1 at the University of South
Alabama, reflecting the 2026–2027 curriculum. It includes over
70 original practice questions with detailed rationales, covering
pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, autonomic nervous
system pharmacology, and key drug classes.
Section 1: Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics
Q1. What is the difference between an adverse effect and a side
effect?
A. They are the same thing
B. An adverse effect is an undesired effect; a side effect is a
nearly unavoidable secondary effect at therapeutic doses
C. A side effect is always more dangerous than an adverse effect
D. Adverse effects only occur with overdose
Answer: B
Rationale: An adverse effect is any undesired effect of a drug. A
side effect is a nearly unavoidable secondary drug effect
produced at therapeutic doses.
,Q2. What is drug toxicity?
A. A minor side effect
B. The degree of detrimental physiologic effects caused by
excessive drug dosing
C. An allergic reaction
D. A therapeutic effect
Answer: B
Rationale: Toxicity is the degree of detrimental physiologic
effects caused by excessive drug dosing.
Q3. What is absorption in pharmacokinetics?
A. The movement of a drug from its site of administration into
the blood
B. The movement of drug from blood to tissues
C. The chemical alteration of drug structure
D. The removal of drug from the body
Answer: A
Rationale: Absorption is the process of drug movement from its
site of administration into the blood, usually done by passive
diffusion.
Q4. What is distribution in pharmacokinetics?
A. The movement of a drug from its site of administration into
the blood
B. The drug movement from blood to the interstitial space of
tissues and into cells
, C. The chemical alteration of drug structure
D. The removal of drug from the body
Answer: B
Rationale: Distribution is the drug movement from blood to the
interstitial space of tissues and from there into the cells.
Q5. What is metabolism in pharmacokinetics?
A. The movement of a drug from its site of administration into
the blood
B. The drug movement from blood to tissues
C. The chemical alteration of drug structure
D. The removal of drug from the body
Answer: C
Rationale: Metabolism is the chemical alteration of drug
structure, usually producing a polar, water-soluble substance
that is easily excreted.
Q6. What is excretion in pharmacokinetics?
A. The movement of a drug from its site of administration into
the blood
B. The drug movement from blood to tissues
C. The chemical alteration of drug structure
D. The removal of drug from the body, mostly in kidneys by
urine excretion
