,UTA NURS 3365 Exam 1 | Pharmacology
in Nursing Practice (2026) Q&A
1. Which statement accurately describes the primary difference between
pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics?
A) Pharmacokinetics is what the drug does to the body;
pharmacodynamics is what the body does to the drug
B) Pharmacokinetics is what the body does to the drug;
pharmacodynamics is what the drug does to the body
C) Pharmacokinetics refers to drug toxicity; pharmacodynamics refers to
drug efficacy
D) Pharmacokinetics refers to drug absorption only; pharmacodynamics
refers to drug excretion only
Correct Answer: Pharmacokinetics is what the body does to the drug;
pharmacodynamics is what the drug does to the body
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics encompasses absorption, distribution,
metabolism, and excretion—the processes by which the body handles a
drug. Pharmacodynamics describes the mechanism of action and the
effects of the drug on the body, including receptor binding and
therapeutic response. This distinction is fundamental to understanding
drug therapy.
2. What is the primary concern when administering a drug that is highly
protein-bound to a patient who is also taking another highly protein-bound
drug?
A) The drugs will be excreted more rapidly by the kidneys
B) One drug may displace the other, increasing the free concentration and
risk of toxicity
C) Both drugs will have reduced therapeutic effects
D) The drugs will be poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract
,Correct Answer: One drug may displace the other, increasing the free
concentration and risk of toxicity
Rationale: Highly protein-bound drugs compete for binding sites on
plasma proteins such as albumin. When two such drugs are administered
together, one may displace the other, increasing the unbound (active)
fraction of the displaced drug. This can lead to exaggerated therapeutic
effects or toxicity. Close monitoring is essential in patients taking multiple
protein-bound medications.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a 75-year-old
patient. Which age-related change most significantly affects drug
metabolism?
A) Increased gastric acidity
B) Decreased hepatic blood flow and enzyme activity
C) Increased renal tubular secretion
D) Increased total body water
Correct Answer: Decreased hepatic blood flow and enzyme activity
Rationale: Aging is associated with decreased hepatic blood flow and
reduced activity of hepatic enzymes, particularly the cytochrome P450
system. This slows drug metabolism and prolongs the half-life of many
medications, increasing the risk of accumulation and toxicity. Older adults
often require lower doses and longer dosing intervals.
4. Which statement accurately describes the first-pass effect?
A) Drugs administered intravenously undergo first-pass metabolism in the
lungs
B) Orally administered drugs are metabolized by the liver before reaching
systemic circulation
C) Drugs administered sublingually are destroyed by gastric acid
D) Rectally administered drugs bypass the liver completely
, Correct Answer: Orally administered drugs are metabolized by the
liver before reaching systemic circulation
Rationale: The first-pass effect refers to the metabolism of orally
administered drugs by the liver before they enter the systemic circulation.
Blood from the gastrointestinal tract drains into the portal vein and passes
through the liver, where a significant portion of the drug may be
metabolized. This reduces bioavailability and explains why some drugs
require higher oral doses.
5. A patient asks why a medication is prescribed at a specific time each
day. The nurse's best response is based on which principle?
A) Therapeutic drug monitoring ensures serum levels remain within a
therapeutic range
B) Taking medications at the same time improves patient adherence only
C) The half-life determines the dosing interval to maintain therapeutic
levels
D) Drug absorption is fastest in the morning
Correct Answer: The half-life determines the dosing interval to
maintain therapeutic levels
Rationale: The half-life of a drug is the time required for the body to
eliminate 50% of the dose. Dosing intervals are designed to maintain
serum drug concentrations within the therapeutic range, avoiding
subtherapeutic or toxic levels. Consistent timing helps achieve steady-
state concentrations and optimal therapeutic effect.
6. Which medication error type is characterized by administering a drug
via the wrong route?
A) Prescribing error
B) Administration error
in Nursing Practice (2026) Q&A
1. Which statement accurately describes the primary difference between
pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics?
A) Pharmacokinetics is what the drug does to the body;
pharmacodynamics is what the body does to the drug
B) Pharmacokinetics is what the body does to the drug;
pharmacodynamics is what the drug does to the body
C) Pharmacokinetics refers to drug toxicity; pharmacodynamics refers to
drug efficacy
D) Pharmacokinetics refers to drug absorption only; pharmacodynamics
refers to drug excretion only
Correct Answer: Pharmacokinetics is what the body does to the drug;
pharmacodynamics is what the drug does to the body
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics encompasses absorption, distribution,
metabolism, and excretion—the processes by which the body handles a
drug. Pharmacodynamics describes the mechanism of action and the
effects of the drug on the body, including receptor binding and
therapeutic response. This distinction is fundamental to understanding
drug therapy.
2. What is the primary concern when administering a drug that is highly
protein-bound to a patient who is also taking another highly protein-bound
drug?
A) The drugs will be excreted more rapidly by the kidneys
B) One drug may displace the other, increasing the free concentration and
risk of toxicity
C) Both drugs will have reduced therapeutic effects
D) The drugs will be poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract
,Correct Answer: One drug may displace the other, increasing the free
concentration and risk of toxicity
Rationale: Highly protein-bound drugs compete for binding sites on
plasma proteins such as albumin. When two such drugs are administered
together, one may displace the other, increasing the unbound (active)
fraction of the displaced drug. This can lead to exaggerated therapeutic
effects or toxicity. Close monitoring is essential in patients taking multiple
protein-bound medications.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a 75-year-old
patient. Which age-related change most significantly affects drug
metabolism?
A) Increased gastric acidity
B) Decreased hepatic blood flow and enzyme activity
C) Increased renal tubular secretion
D) Increased total body water
Correct Answer: Decreased hepatic blood flow and enzyme activity
Rationale: Aging is associated with decreased hepatic blood flow and
reduced activity of hepatic enzymes, particularly the cytochrome P450
system. This slows drug metabolism and prolongs the half-life of many
medications, increasing the risk of accumulation and toxicity. Older adults
often require lower doses and longer dosing intervals.
4. Which statement accurately describes the first-pass effect?
A) Drugs administered intravenously undergo first-pass metabolism in the
lungs
B) Orally administered drugs are metabolized by the liver before reaching
systemic circulation
C) Drugs administered sublingually are destroyed by gastric acid
D) Rectally administered drugs bypass the liver completely
, Correct Answer: Orally administered drugs are metabolized by the
liver before reaching systemic circulation
Rationale: The first-pass effect refers to the metabolism of orally
administered drugs by the liver before they enter the systemic circulation.
Blood from the gastrointestinal tract drains into the portal vein and passes
through the liver, where a significant portion of the drug may be
metabolized. This reduces bioavailability and explains why some drugs
require higher oral doses.
5. A patient asks why a medication is prescribed at a specific time each
day. The nurse's best response is based on which principle?
A) Therapeutic drug monitoring ensures serum levels remain within a
therapeutic range
B) Taking medications at the same time improves patient adherence only
C) The half-life determines the dosing interval to maintain therapeutic
levels
D) Drug absorption is fastest in the morning
Correct Answer: The half-life determines the dosing interval to
maintain therapeutic levels
Rationale: The half-life of a drug is the time required for the body to
eliminate 50% of the dose. Dosing intervals are designed to maintain
serum drug concentrations within the therapeutic range, avoiding
subtherapeutic or toxic levels. Consistent timing helps achieve steady-
state concentrations and optimal therapeutic effect.
6. Which medication error type is characterized by administering a drug
via the wrong route?
A) Prescribing error
B) Administration error
