,NUR100 Pharmacology Exam 1 Study Guide &
Practice Questions Fortis College 2026/2027
1. A nurse is reviewing the pharmacokinetic properties of a newly prescribed medication. Which
term describes the study of what the body does to a drug, including absorption, distribution,
metabolism, and excretion?
A. Pharmacodynamics
B. Pharmacokinetics
C. Pharmacogenetics
D. Pharmacotherapeutics
Correct Answer: B. Pharmacokinetics
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics is the study of how the body affects a drug, encompassing
absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME). Pharmacodynamics (A) describes
how a drug affects the body, pharmacogenetics (C) examines genetic influences on drug
response, and pharmacotherapeutics (D) refers to the use of drugs to treat disease.
2. A nurse is teaching a patient about a medication that undergoes extensive first-pass
metabolism in the liver. The nurse explains that the oral dose of this drug is significantly higher
than its intravenous dose. Which pharmacokinetic principle explains this?
,A. Oral drugs have slower absorption from the gastrointestinal tract than IV drugs
B. First-pass metabolism in the liver significantly reduces the amount of active drug reaching
systemic circulation after oral administration
C. Oral medications are partially destroyed by gastric acid before reaching the small intestine
D. IV drugs bypass protein binding in the blood, making them more potent than oral
formulations
Correct Answer: B. First-pass metabolism in the liver significantly reduces the amount of active
drug reaching systemic circulation after oral administration
Rationale: First-pass metabolism occurs when a drug absorbed from the GI tract passes through
the portal circulation and the liver before entering systemic circulation, where a significant
portion may be metabolized. This necessitates higher oral doses to achieve therapeutic blood
levels equivalent to IV administration.
3. A nurse is caring for a 72-year-old patient with chronic kidney disease who is prescribed a
medication primarily excreted unchanged by the kidneys. The nurse notes a creatinine clearance
of 25 mL/min. Which pharmacokinetic alteration is most critical to consider?
A. Increased volume of distribution due to decreased plasma protein binding
B. Decreased hepatic metabolism leading to higher drug metabolite levels
C. Reduced renal clearance causing drug accumulation and increased risk of toxicity
, D. Enhanced first-pass metabolism requiring lower oral dosing
Correct Answer: C. Reduced renal clearance causing drug accumulation and increased risk of
toxicity
Rationale: Reduced creatinine clearance indicates impaired renal function, which decreases
elimination of drugs excreted by the kidneys. This leads to drug accumulation and a significantly
increased risk of toxicity if dosing is not adjusted.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication with a narrow therapeutic index. The
patient's serum drug concentration is slightly above the therapeutic range, but the patient has
no symptoms of toxicity. Which nursing action is the priority?
A. Administer the next scheduled dose because no adverse effects are present
B. Hold the medication and notify the healthcare provider for further evaluation
C. Increase oral fluid intake to accelerate renal elimination of the medication
D. Document the finding as expected because narrow therapeutic drugs fluctuate frequently
Correct Answer: B. Hold the medication and notify the healthcare provider for further
evaluation
Practice Questions Fortis College 2026/2027
1. A nurse is reviewing the pharmacokinetic properties of a newly prescribed medication. Which
term describes the study of what the body does to a drug, including absorption, distribution,
metabolism, and excretion?
A. Pharmacodynamics
B. Pharmacokinetics
C. Pharmacogenetics
D. Pharmacotherapeutics
Correct Answer: B. Pharmacokinetics
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics is the study of how the body affects a drug, encompassing
absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME). Pharmacodynamics (A) describes
how a drug affects the body, pharmacogenetics (C) examines genetic influences on drug
response, and pharmacotherapeutics (D) refers to the use of drugs to treat disease.
2. A nurse is teaching a patient about a medication that undergoes extensive first-pass
metabolism in the liver. The nurse explains that the oral dose of this drug is significantly higher
than its intravenous dose. Which pharmacokinetic principle explains this?
,A. Oral drugs have slower absorption from the gastrointestinal tract than IV drugs
B. First-pass metabolism in the liver significantly reduces the amount of active drug reaching
systemic circulation after oral administration
C. Oral medications are partially destroyed by gastric acid before reaching the small intestine
D. IV drugs bypass protein binding in the blood, making them more potent than oral
formulations
Correct Answer: B. First-pass metabolism in the liver significantly reduces the amount of active
drug reaching systemic circulation after oral administration
Rationale: First-pass metabolism occurs when a drug absorbed from the GI tract passes through
the portal circulation and the liver before entering systemic circulation, where a significant
portion may be metabolized. This necessitates higher oral doses to achieve therapeutic blood
levels equivalent to IV administration.
3. A nurse is caring for a 72-year-old patient with chronic kidney disease who is prescribed a
medication primarily excreted unchanged by the kidneys. The nurse notes a creatinine clearance
of 25 mL/min. Which pharmacokinetic alteration is most critical to consider?
A. Increased volume of distribution due to decreased plasma protein binding
B. Decreased hepatic metabolism leading to higher drug metabolite levels
C. Reduced renal clearance causing drug accumulation and increased risk of toxicity
, D. Enhanced first-pass metabolism requiring lower oral dosing
Correct Answer: C. Reduced renal clearance causing drug accumulation and increased risk of
toxicity
Rationale: Reduced creatinine clearance indicates impaired renal function, which decreases
elimination of drugs excreted by the kidneys. This leads to drug accumulation and a significantly
increased risk of toxicity if dosing is not adjusted.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication with a narrow therapeutic index. The
patient's serum drug concentration is slightly above the therapeutic range, but the patient has
no symptoms of toxicity. Which nursing action is the priority?
A. Administer the next scheduled dose because no adverse effects are present
B. Hold the medication and notify the healthcare provider for further evaluation
C. Increase oral fluid intake to accelerate renal elimination of the medication
D. Document the finding as expected because narrow therapeutic drugs fluctuate frequently
Correct Answer: B. Hold the medication and notify the healthcare provider for further
evaluation
