NURS 6521 ADVANCED
PHARMACOLOGY COMPREHENSIVE
STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 100% VERIFIED BY
EXPERTS. 2026/2027 : WALDEN
UNIVERSITY
1. A patient is taking a drug with a half-life of 8 hours. If the initial concentration is 800 mg,
how much of the drug will remain in the body after 24 hours?
A. 200 mg
B. 100 mg
C. 50 mg
D. 400 mg
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: After one half-life (8 hours), 400 mg remains. After two half-
lives (16 hours), 200 mg remains. After three half-lives (24 hours), 100 mg remains.
2. Which pharmacokinetic process is most significantly affected by a patient’s serum albumin
levels?
A. Distribution
,B. Excretion
C. Metabolism
D. Absorption
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Distribution is affected by protein binding. Many drugs bind to
albumin; low levels can lead to higher concentrations of free, active drug.
3. A patient prescribed an ACE inhibitor for hypertension develops a persistent, dry cough.
What is the biochemical cause of this adverse effect?
A. Accumulation of bradykinin
B. Inhibition of aldosterone release
C. Direct irritation of bronchial mucosa
D. Reduction of angiotensin II levels
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: ACE inhibitors block the enzyme that breaks down bradykinin,
leading to its accumulation in the lungs, which triggers a dry cough.
4. Which laboratory value is the most critical to monitor for a patient receiving long-term
treatment with Amiodarone?
A. Hemoglobin A1c
B. Serum Potassium
, C. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
D. Uric Acid levels
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Amiodarone is iodine-rich and can cause both hyperthyroidism
and hypothyroidism; TSH and pulmonary function tests must be monitored.
5. What is the primary mechanism of action of Metformin in the treatment of Type 2
Diabetes?
A. Stimulating insulin secretion from beta cells
B. Increasing urinary glucose excretion
C. Decreasing hepatic glucose production
D. Delaying carbohydrate absorption in the gut
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Metformin works primarily by reducing gluconeogenesis in the
liver and improving insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues.
6. A patient with a history of heart failure is prescribed Digoxin. Which electrolyte imbalance
significantly increases the risk of Digoxin toxicity?
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypokalemia
PHARMACOLOGY COMPREHENSIVE
STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 100% VERIFIED BY
EXPERTS. 2026/2027 : WALDEN
UNIVERSITY
1. A patient is taking a drug with a half-life of 8 hours. If the initial concentration is 800 mg,
how much of the drug will remain in the body after 24 hours?
A. 200 mg
B. 100 mg
C. 50 mg
D. 400 mg
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: After one half-life (8 hours), 400 mg remains. After two half-
lives (16 hours), 200 mg remains. After three half-lives (24 hours), 100 mg remains.
2. Which pharmacokinetic process is most significantly affected by a patient’s serum albumin
levels?
A. Distribution
,B. Excretion
C. Metabolism
D. Absorption
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Distribution is affected by protein binding. Many drugs bind to
albumin; low levels can lead to higher concentrations of free, active drug.
3. A patient prescribed an ACE inhibitor for hypertension develops a persistent, dry cough.
What is the biochemical cause of this adverse effect?
A. Accumulation of bradykinin
B. Inhibition of aldosterone release
C. Direct irritation of bronchial mucosa
D. Reduction of angiotensin II levels
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: ACE inhibitors block the enzyme that breaks down bradykinin,
leading to its accumulation in the lungs, which triggers a dry cough.
4. Which laboratory value is the most critical to monitor for a patient receiving long-term
treatment with Amiodarone?
A. Hemoglobin A1c
B. Serum Potassium
, C. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
D. Uric Acid levels
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Amiodarone is iodine-rich and can cause both hyperthyroidism
and hypothyroidism; TSH and pulmonary function tests must be monitored.
5. What is the primary mechanism of action of Metformin in the treatment of Type 2
Diabetes?
A. Stimulating insulin secretion from beta cells
B. Increasing urinary glucose excretion
C. Decreasing hepatic glucose production
D. Delaying carbohydrate absorption in the gut
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Metformin works primarily by reducing gluconeogenesis in the
liver and improving insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues.
6. A patient with a history of heart failure is prescribed Digoxin. Which electrolyte imbalance
significantly increases the risk of Digoxin toxicity?
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypokalemia
