NURS 1150 Final Exam Actual Exam V1 | NURS 1150 Nurse
Pharmacology I (NURS1150 Final Exam) | Northwest College (NWC)
1. A nurse is reviewing the pharmacokinetics of a new medication. Which process describes
the movement of a drug from its site of administration into the blood?
A. Distribution
B. Excretion
C. Metabolism
D. Absorption
Answer: D
Rationale: Absorption is the movement of a drug from the administration site into the
bloodstream. This process determines how quickly and how much of the drug reaches
systemic circulation. Factors such as solubility and blood flow at the site can influence the
rate of absorption.
2. When administering a drug with a narrow therapeutic index, which nursing action is most
important?
A. Assess for drug-food interactions
B. Monitor serum drug levels frequently
C. Encourage the patient to drink more fluids
D. Administer the drug only as needed
Answer: B
Rationale: A narrow therapeutic index indicates that the difference between a therapeutic
dose and a toxic dose is very small. Frequent monitoring of serum drug levels is required to
ensure safety and efficacy. The nurse must also be vigilant for signs of toxicity even within
the therapeutic range.
3. The nurse is caring for a patient receiving an oral medication that undergoes a significant
first-pass effect. How does this affect the medication’s bioavailability?
A. The drug will have a high bioavailability
B. The drug will have a low bioavailability
C. The drug will be absorbed more rapidly
D. The drug bypasses the liver entirely
Answer: B
,Rationale: The first-pass effect occurs when a drug is extensively metabolized by the liver
before it reaches systemic circulation. This results in a lower concentration of the active
drug being available for therapeutic action. Consequently, oral doses are often much higher
than intravenous doses for the same medication.
4. A patient is prescribed a new medication that is highly protein-bound. What could happen
if the patient has low serum albumin levels?
A. The drug will be less effective
B. Absorption will be significantly delayed
C. Excretion of the drug will decrease
D. The risk of toxicity increases
Answer: D
Rationale: Drugs that are highly protein-bound travel in the blood attached to albumin,
leaving only a small amount of ‘free’ active drug. When albumin levels are low, there are
fewer binding sites, leading to an increase in free drug concentration. This elevated level of
free drug significantly increases the risk of toxicity and adverse effects.
5. A nurse is calculating a dose of acetaminophen (Tylenol). The order is for 650 mg, and the
available concentration is 160 mg per 5 mL. How many milliliters should the nurse
administer?
A. 15.5 mL
B. 20.3 mL
C. 10.4 mL
D. 25.1 mL
Answer: B
Rationale: To find the volume, divide the ordered dose by the available concentration and
multiply by the volume (650mg / 160mg * 5mL). This calculation results in 20.3125, which
rounds to 20.3 mL. Accurate calculation is vital to prevent dosage errors in clinical practice.
6. Which receptor, when stimulated, primarily causes an increase in heart rate and
contractility?
A. Alpha-1 receptor
B. Beta-2 receptor
C. Beta-1 receptor
D. Muscarinic receptor
Answer: C
, Rationale: Beta-1 receptors are primarily located in the heart and, when activated,
increase the rate and force of contraction. This is a key mechanism for medications like
epinephrine and dobutamine. Understanding receptor locations helps nurses predict both
intended effects and side effects.
7. A patient is receiving atropine, an anticholinergic medication. Which side effect should the
nurse monitor for?
A. Urinary retention
B. Diarrhea
C. Excessive salivation
D. Bradycardia
Answer: A
Rationale: Anticholinergic drugs like atropine inhibit the parasympathetic nervous system,
leading to ‘drying’ effects. Common side effects include urinary retention, dry mouth,
blurred vision, and constipation. Nurses should monitor output and advise patients on
managing these uncomfortable effects.
8. The nurse is preparing to administer propranolol (Inderal). Which patient condition would
be a contraindication for this medication?
A. Hypertension
B. Angina pectoris
C. Tachycardia
D. Asthma
Answer: D
Rationale: Propranolol is a non-selective beta-blocker that affects both Beta-1 and Beta-2
receptors. Blocking Beta-2 receptors can cause bronchoconstriction, which is dangerous for
patients with asthma or COPD. Nurses must always check the patient’s respiratory history
before administering non-selective beta-blockers.
9. A patient is taking lisinopril (Prinivil) for hypertension. Which electrolyte abnormality is a
potential adverse effect of this medication?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: C
Pharmacology I (NURS1150 Final Exam) | Northwest College (NWC)
1. A nurse is reviewing the pharmacokinetics of a new medication. Which process describes
the movement of a drug from its site of administration into the blood?
A. Distribution
B. Excretion
C. Metabolism
D. Absorption
Answer: D
Rationale: Absorption is the movement of a drug from the administration site into the
bloodstream. This process determines how quickly and how much of the drug reaches
systemic circulation. Factors such as solubility and blood flow at the site can influence the
rate of absorption.
2. When administering a drug with a narrow therapeutic index, which nursing action is most
important?
A. Assess for drug-food interactions
B. Monitor serum drug levels frequently
C. Encourage the patient to drink more fluids
D. Administer the drug only as needed
Answer: B
Rationale: A narrow therapeutic index indicates that the difference between a therapeutic
dose and a toxic dose is very small. Frequent monitoring of serum drug levels is required to
ensure safety and efficacy. The nurse must also be vigilant for signs of toxicity even within
the therapeutic range.
3. The nurse is caring for a patient receiving an oral medication that undergoes a significant
first-pass effect. How does this affect the medication’s bioavailability?
A. The drug will have a high bioavailability
B. The drug will have a low bioavailability
C. The drug will be absorbed more rapidly
D. The drug bypasses the liver entirely
Answer: B
,Rationale: The first-pass effect occurs when a drug is extensively metabolized by the liver
before it reaches systemic circulation. This results in a lower concentration of the active
drug being available for therapeutic action. Consequently, oral doses are often much higher
than intravenous doses for the same medication.
4. A patient is prescribed a new medication that is highly protein-bound. What could happen
if the patient has low serum albumin levels?
A. The drug will be less effective
B. Absorption will be significantly delayed
C. Excretion of the drug will decrease
D. The risk of toxicity increases
Answer: D
Rationale: Drugs that are highly protein-bound travel in the blood attached to albumin,
leaving only a small amount of ‘free’ active drug. When albumin levels are low, there are
fewer binding sites, leading to an increase in free drug concentration. This elevated level of
free drug significantly increases the risk of toxicity and adverse effects.
5. A nurse is calculating a dose of acetaminophen (Tylenol). The order is for 650 mg, and the
available concentration is 160 mg per 5 mL. How many milliliters should the nurse
administer?
A. 15.5 mL
B. 20.3 mL
C. 10.4 mL
D. 25.1 mL
Answer: B
Rationale: To find the volume, divide the ordered dose by the available concentration and
multiply by the volume (650mg / 160mg * 5mL). This calculation results in 20.3125, which
rounds to 20.3 mL. Accurate calculation is vital to prevent dosage errors in clinical practice.
6. Which receptor, when stimulated, primarily causes an increase in heart rate and
contractility?
A. Alpha-1 receptor
B. Beta-2 receptor
C. Beta-1 receptor
D. Muscarinic receptor
Answer: C
, Rationale: Beta-1 receptors are primarily located in the heart and, when activated,
increase the rate and force of contraction. This is a key mechanism for medications like
epinephrine and dobutamine. Understanding receptor locations helps nurses predict both
intended effects and side effects.
7. A patient is receiving atropine, an anticholinergic medication. Which side effect should the
nurse monitor for?
A. Urinary retention
B. Diarrhea
C. Excessive salivation
D. Bradycardia
Answer: A
Rationale: Anticholinergic drugs like atropine inhibit the parasympathetic nervous system,
leading to ‘drying’ effects. Common side effects include urinary retention, dry mouth,
blurred vision, and constipation. Nurses should monitor output and advise patients on
managing these uncomfortable effects.
8. The nurse is preparing to administer propranolol (Inderal). Which patient condition would
be a contraindication for this medication?
A. Hypertension
B. Angina pectoris
C. Tachycardia
D. Asthma
Answer: D
Rationale: Propranolol is a non-selective beta-blocker that affects both Beta-1 and Beta-2
receptors. Blocking Beta-2 receptors can cause bronchoconstriction, which is dangerous for
patients with asthma or COPD. Nurses must always check the patient’s respiratory history
before administering non-selective beta-blockers.
9. A patient is taking lisinopril (Prinivil) for hypertension. Which electrolyte abnormality is a
potential adverse effect of this medication?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: C
