1|Page
NURS 6521 ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS
1. A drug has a half-life of 12 hours. How long will it take to reach steady state?
A. 12 hours
B. 24 hours
C. 60 hours
D. 72 hours
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Steady state is typically achieved after approximately 4-5 half-lives.
Therefore, 12 hours × 5 = 60 hours. One half-life (12 hours) is insufficient for
accumulation, and two half-lives (24 hours) is approximately 75% of steady state.
2. Which route of administration provides 100% bioavailability?
A. Oral
B. Intramuscular
,2|Page
C. Intravenous
D. Subcutaneous
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Intravenous administration provides 100% bioavailability because the
drug is delivered directly into systemic circulation, bypassing absorption barriers
and first-pass metabolism. Oral, IM, and SC routes have less than 100%
bioavailability.
3. First-pass metabolism primarily occurs in which organ?
A. Kidney
B. Liver
C. Lungs
D. Stomach
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: First-pass metabolism occurs primarily in the liver, where orally
administered drugs are metabolized before reaching systemic circulation through
the hepatic portal vein. This reduces the bioavailability of orally administered
drugs.
, 3|Page
4. A weak acid drug is best absorbed in which environment?
A. Acidic stomach (pH 1.5)
B. Alkaline small intestine (pH 6-7)
C. Neutral environment (pH 7)
D. Any environment regardless of pH
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: According to the pH-partition hypothesis, weak acids are more non-
ionized (lipid-soluble) in alkaline environments, allowing for better absorption.
The small intestine (pH 6-7) provides this alkaline environment.
5. A weak base drug is best absorbed in which environment?
A. Acidic stomach (pH 1.5)
B. Alkaline small intestine (pH 6-7)
C. Neutral environment (pH 7)
D. Any environment regardless of pH
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Weak bases are more non-ionized (lipid-soluble) in acidic environments
like the stomach (pH 1.5), allowing for better absorption. In alkaline
environments, weak bases become ionized and less absorbable.
NURS 6521 ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS
1. A drug has a half-life of 12 hours. How long will it take to reach steady state?
A. 12 hours
B. 24 hours
C. 60 hours
D. 72 hours
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Steady state is typically achieved after approximately 4-5 half-lives.
Therefore, 12 hours × 5 = 60 hours. One half-life (12 hours) is insufficient for
accumulation, and two half-lives (24 hours) is approximately 75% of steady state.
2. Which route of administration provides 100% bioavailability?
A. Oral
B. Intramuscular
,2|Page
C. Intravenous
D. Subcutaneous
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Intravenous administration provides 100% bioavailability because the
drug is delivered directly into systemic circulation, bypassing absorption barriers
and first-pass metabolism. Oral, IM, and SC routes have less than 100%
bioavailability.
3. First-pass metabolism primarily occurs in which organ?
A. Kidney
B. Liver
C. Lungs
D. Stomach
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: First-pass metabolism occurs primarily in the liver, where orally
administered drugs are metabolized before reaching systemic circulation through
the hepatic portal vein. This reduces the bioavailability of orally administered
drugs.
, 3|Page
4. A weak acid drug is best absorbed in which environment?
A. Acidic stomach (pH 1.5)
B. Alkaline small intestine (pH 6-7)
C. Neutral environment (pH 7)
D. Any environment regardless of pH
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: According to the pH-partition hypothesis, weak acids are more non-
ionized (lipid-soluble) in alkaline environments, allowing for better absorption.
The small intestine (pH 6-7) provides this alkaline environment.
5. A weak base drug is best absorbed in which environment?
A. Acidic stomach (pH 1.5)
B. Alkaline small intestine (pH 6-7)
C. Neutral environment (pH 7)
D. Any environment regardless of pH
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Weak bases are more non-ionized (lipid-soluble) in acidic environments
like the stomach (pH 1.5), allowing for better absorption. In alkaline
environments, weak bases become ionized and less absorbable.
