NUR 210 Exams 1–4 Galen Pharmacology
Nursing College 2026/2027 – Questions and
Answers | 100% Verified | Detailed Rationales
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NUR 210 Exams 1–4 Practice Exam
Galen College of Nursing | Principles of Pharmacology | 2026/2027 Edition
SECTION 1: Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics
1. Which term best describes "what the body does to the drug"?
A. Pharmacodynamics
B. Pharmacotherapeutics
C. Pharmacokinetics
D. Toxicology
Answer: C
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics is the study of drug movement through the body,
including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) .
Pharmacodynamics is "what the drug does to the body" .
2. What are the four phases of pharmacokinetics?
A. Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion
B. Action, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion
C. Absorption, Digestion, Metabolism, Elimination
D. Action, Digestion, Metabolism, Excretion
,Answer: A
Rationale: The four phases are Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and
Excretion (ADME) .
3. A drug that binds to a receptor and produces a response is called a(n):
A. Antagonist
B. Agonist
C. Partial agonist
D. Competitive antagonist
Answer: B
Rationale: An agonist activates a receptor and produces a biological response.
An antagonist blocks the receptor and produces no response .
4. The pharmaceutic phase of drug action involves:
A. Absorption of the drug into the bloodstream
B. Dissolution of the drug in the gastrointestinal tract
C. Distribution of the drug to target tissues
D. Excretion of the drug via the kidneys
Answer: B
Rationale: The pharmaceutic phase is the first phase where the solid drug
dissolves into a liquid so it can be absorbed. Most oral absorption occurs in the
small intestine .
5. A patient asks the nurse, "What does 'first-pass effect' mean?" The best
response is:
A. "The drug is absorbed faster when taken on an empty stomach."
B. "The drug is metabolized in the liver before reaching systemic circulation,
reducing its bioavailability."
, C. "The drug is excreted unchanged by the kidneys."
D. "The drug binds to plasma proteins and becomes inactive."
Answer: B
Rationale: First-pass effect refers to the metabolism of an oral drug by the liver
before it reaches systemic circulation, which reduces the amount of active drug
available .
6. A medication given by which route has 100% bioavailability?
A. Oral
B. Sublingual
C. Intravenous
D. Intramuscular
Answer: C
Rationale: Intravenous administration places the drug directly into the
bloodstream, bypassing absorption and first-pass metabolism, resulting in 100%
bioavailability .
7. Which organ is primarily responsible for the metabolism of most medications?
A. Heart
B. Liver
C. Spleen
D. Pancreas
Answer: B
Rationale: The liver contains extensive enzyme systems, particularly the
cytochrome P450 system, that metabolize many medications .
8. Which term describes the percentage of an administered drug dose that
reaches systemic circulation unchanged?
Nursing College 2026/2027 – Questions and
Answers | 100% Verified | Detailed Rationales
– Pass Guaranteed – A+ Grade
NUR 210 Exams 1–4 Practice Exam
Galen College of Nursing | Principles of Pharmacology | 2026/2027 Edition
SECTION 1: Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics
1. Which term best describes "what the body does to the drug"?
A. Pharmacodynamics
B. Pharmacotherapeutics
C. Pharmacokinetics
D. Toxicology
Answer: C
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics is the study of drug movement through the body,
including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) .
Pharmacodynamics is "what the drug does to the body" .
2. What are the four phases of pharmacokinetics?
A. Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion
B. Action, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion
C. Absorption, Digestion, Metabolism, Elimination
D. Action, Digestion, Metabolism, Excretion
,Answer: A
Rationale: The four phases are Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and
Excretion (ADME) .
3. A drug that binds to a receptor and produces a response is called a(n):
A. Antagonist
B. Agonist
C. Partial agonist
D. Competitive antagonist
Answer: B
Rationale: An agonist activates a receptor and produces a biological response.
An antagonist blocks the receptor and produces no response .
4. The pharmaceutic phase of drug action involves:
A. Absorption of the drug into the bloodstream
B. Dissolution of the drug in the gastrointestinal tract
C. Distribution of the drug to target tissues
D. Excretion of the drug via the kidneys
Answer: B
Rationale: The pharmaceutic phase is the first phase where the solid drug
dissolves into a liquid so it can be absorbed. Most oral absorption occurs in the
small intestine .
5. A patient asks the nurse, "What does 'first-pass effect' mean?" The best
response is:
A. "The drug is absorbed faster when taken on an empty stomach."
B. "The drug is metabolized in the liver before reaching systemic circulation,
reducing its bioavailability."
, C. "The drug is excreted unchanged by the kidneys."
D. "The drug binds to plasma proteins and becomes inactive."
Answer: B
Rationale: First-pass effect refers to the metabolism of an oral drug by the liver
before it reaches systemic circulation, which reduces the amount of active drug
available .
6. A medication given by which route has 100% bioavailability?
A. Oral
B. Sublingual
C. Intravenous
D. Intramuscular
Answer: C
Rationale: Intravenous administration places the drug directly into the
bloodstream, bypassing absorption and first-pass metabolism, resulting in 100%
bioavailability .
7. Which organ is primarily responsible for the metabolism of most medications?
A. Heart
B. Liver
C. Spleen
D. Pancreas
Answer: B
Rationale: The liver contains extensive enzyme systems, particularly the
cytochrome P450 system, that metabolize many medications .
8. Which term describes the percentage of an administered drug dose that
reaches systemic circulation unchanged?
