NUR 2407 PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 1 -
ADVANCED CONCEPTS QUESTIONS
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS| 100%
CORRECT |GRADE A –: RASMUSSEN
COLLEGE
1. A patient with liver cirrhosis is prescribed a drug that is highly metabolized by the liver. The
nurse understands that this patient is at risk for which pharmacokinetic alteration?
A. Increased risk of drug toxicity due to prolonged half-life
B. Reduced bioavailability of the drug
C. Increased rate of drug excretion
D. Rapid first-pass metabolism
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Liver cirrhosis impairs the metabolism of drugs. When
metabolic enzymes are insufficient, the drug stays in the system longer (prolonged half-
life), leading to accumulation and potential toxicity.
2. When administering a medication that is known as a ‘selective beta-2 agonist,’ the nurse
should monitor the patient for which intended therapeutic effect?
A. Bronchodilation
,B. Decreased heart rate
C. Increased gastrointestinal motility
D. Pupillary constriction
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Beta-2 receptors are primarily located in the lungs. Activation
(agonism) leads to relaxation of smooth muscles in the airway, resulting in
bronchodilation.
3. The nurse is reviewing the concept of ‘half-life.’ If a drug has a half-life of 4 hours and a
dose of 400 mg is administered at 0800, how much of the drug will remain in the patient’s
system at 1600?
A. 100 mg
B. 200 mg
C. 50 mg
D. 25 mg
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: After 4 hours (1200), 200 mg remains. After another 4 hours
(1600), 100 mg remains. This represents two half-lives.
, 4. Which drug schedule contains substances with a high potential for abuse, currently
accepted medical use in the US, and may lead to severe psychological or physical
dependence?
A. Schedule I
B. Schedule IV
C. Schedule III
D. Schedule II
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Schedule II drugs have high abuse potential but accepted
medical uses. Schedule I drugs have no accepted medical use.
5. A drug has a very narrow therapeutic index. Which nursing action is the priority for this
patient?
A. Teaching the patient about generic drug alternatives
B. Encouraging increased fluid intake
C. Administering the drug only on an empty stomach
D. Monitoring serum drug levels frequently
Answer: D
ADVANCED CONCEPTS QUESTIONS
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS| 100%
CORRECT |GRADE A –: RASMUSSEN
COLLEGE
1. A patient with liver cirrhosis is prescribed a drug that is highly metabolized by the liver. The
nurse understands that this patient is at risk for which pharmacokinetic alteration?
A. Increased risk of drug toxicity due to prolonged half-life
B. Reduced bioavailability of the drug
C. Increased rate of drug excretion
D. Rapid first-pass metabolism
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Liver cirrhosis impairs the metabolism of drugs. When
metabolic enzymes are insufficient, the drug stays in the system longer (prolonged half-
life), leading to accumulation and potential toxicity.
2. When administering a medication that is known as a ‘selective beta-2 agonist,’ the nurse
should monitor the patient for which intended therapeutic effect?
A. Bronchodilation
,B. Decreased heart rate
C. Increased gastrointestinal motility
D. Pupillary constriction
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Beta-2 receptors are primarily located in the lungs. Activation
(agonism) leads to relaxation of smooth muscles in the airway, resulting in
bronchodilation.
3. The nurse is reviewing the concept of ‘half-life.’ If a drug has a half-life of 4 hours and a
dose of 400 mg is administered at 0800, how much of the drug will remain in the patient’s
system at 1600?
A. 100 mg
B. 200 mg
C. 50 mg
D. 25 mg
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: After 4 hours (1200), 200 mg remains. After another 4 hours
(1600), 100 mg remains. This represents two half-lives.
, 4. Which drug schedule contains substances with a high potential for abuse, currently
accepted medical use in the US, and may lead to severe psychological or physical
dependence?
A. Schedule I
B. Schedule IV
C. Schedule III
D. Schedule II
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Schedule II drugs have high abuse potential but accepted
medical uses. Schedule I drugs have no accepted medical use.
5. A drug has a very narrow therapeutic index. Which nursing action is the priority for this
patient?
A. Teaching the patient about generic drug alternatives
B. Encouraging increased fluid intake
C. Administering the drug only on an empty stomach
D. Monitoring serum drug levels frequently
Answer: D
