NURS 6521 ADVANCED
PHARMACOLOGY MIDTERM EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100%
VERIFIED BY EXPERTS. 2026/2027 :
WALDEN UNIVERSITY
1. A patient is prescribed a drug that is a known Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzyme inhibitor.
What effect will this have on a second drug metabolized by the same enzyme system?
A. Decreased therapeutic effect of the second drug
B. Decreased serum levels of the second drug
C. Rapid excretion of the second drug
D. Increased serum levels of the second drug
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Enzyme inhibitors slow down the metabolism of other drugs
processed by the same enzyme, leading to increased serum levels and potential toxicity.
2. Which pharmacokinetic process is most significantly affected by the ‘first-pass effect’?
A. Distribution
B. Metabolism
C. Excretion
,D. Absorption
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The first-pass effect refers to the rapid hepatic metabolism of an
orally administered drug before it reaches the systemic circulation.
3. When prescribing for an elderly patient, the nurse practitioner understands that which
physiological change most affects drug excretion?
A. Increased gastric pH
B. Decreased serum albumin levels
C. Increased body fat percentage
D. Decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Renal function typically declines with age, leading to a decreased
GFR, which is the most common cause of adverse drug reactions in the elderly due to
impaired excretion.
4. A drug has a half-life of 4 hours. If a dose of 100mg is given, how much of the drug will
remain in the body after 12 hours?
A. 50mg
B. 25mg
C. 6.25mg
, D. 12.5mg
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: After 12 hours (3 half-lives: 100->50->25->12.5), 12.5mg
remains.
5. Which Pregnancy Risk Category indicates that studies in animals or humans have
demonstrated fetal abnormalities and the risk outweighs any possible benefit?
A. Category B
B. Category C
C. Category X
D. Category D
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Category X drugs are contraindicated in women who are or may
become pregnant because the risks clearly outweigh the benefits.
6. A patient is diagnosed with heart failure and is prescribed an ACE inhibitor. Which
electrolyte abnormality should the provider monitor for?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
PHARMACOLOGY MIDTERM EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100%
VERIFIED BY EXPERTS. 2026/2027 :
WALDEN UNIVERSITY
1. A patient is prescribed a drug that is a known Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzyme inhibitor.
What effect will this have on a second drug metabolized by the same enzyme system?
A. Decreased therapeutic effect of the second drug
B. Decreased serum levels of the second drug
C. Rapid excretion of the second drug
D. Increased serum levels of the second drug
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Enzyme inhibitors slow down the metabolism of other drugs
processed by the same enzyme, leading to increased serum levels and potential toxicity.
2. Which pharmacokinetic process is most significantly affected by the ‘first-pass effect’?
A. Distribution
B. Metabolism
C. Excretion
,D. Absorption
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The first-pass effect refers to the rapid hepatic metabolism of an
orally administered drug before it reaches the systemic circulation.
3. When prescribing for an elderly patient, the nurse practitioner understands that which
physiological change most affects drug excretion?
A. Increased gastric pH
B. Decreased serum albumin levels
C. Increased body fat percentage
D. Decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Renal function typically declines with age, leading to a decreased
GFR, which is the most common cause of adverse drug reactions in the elderly due to
impaired excretion.
4. A drug has a half-life of 4 hours. If a dose of 100mg is given, how much of the drug will
remain in the body after 12 hours?
A. 50mg
B. 25mg
C. 6.25mg
, D. 12.5mg
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: After 12 hours (3 half-lives: 100->50->25->12.5), 12.5mg
remains.
5. Which Pregnancy Risk Category indicates that studies in animals or humans have
demonstrated fetal abnormalities and the risk outweighs any possible benefit?
A. Category B
B. Category C
C. Category X
D. Category D
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Category X drugs are contraindicated in women who are or may
become pregnant because the risks clearly outweigh the benefits.
6. A patient is diagnosed with heart failure and is prescribed an ACE inhibitor. Which
electrolyte abnormality should the provider monitor for?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
