,NSG 124 HESI Final Exam | Pharmacology (2026)
Q&A | Herzing University
1. A nurse is teaching a client about the difference between pharmacokinetics and
pharmacodynamics. Which statement by the client indicates correct
understanding?
A) "Pharmacokinetics is what the drug does to the body."
B) "Pharmacodynamics is what the body does to the drug."
C) "Pharmacokinetics describes drug movement through the body."
D) "Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics are the same thing."
Correct Answer: "Pharmacokinetics describes drug movement through the
body."
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics describes what the body does to the drug,
specifically absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME).
Pharmacodynamics describes what the drug does to the body. The client's
statement correctly identifies pharmacokinetics as drug movement through the
body.
2. A client is receiving a medication via the intravenous route. The nurse
understands that which statement about IV administration is correct?
A) IV administration has the slowest onset of action
B) IV administration achieves 100% bioavailability
C) IV drugs must be absorbed through the GI tract
D) IV administration is subject to first-pass metabolism
,Correct Answer: IV administration achieves 100% bioavailability
Rationale: IV administration delivers the drug directly into the bloodstream,
achieving 100% bioavailability and the fastest onset of action. Oral drugs must be
absorbed through the GI tract and are subject to first-pass metabolism, which
reduces bioavailability.
3. A client is prescribed an oral medication that undergoes extensive first-pass
metabolism. The nurse should anticipate that the provider may prescribe which
route to bypass this effect?
A) Oral
B) Sublingual
C) Intramuscular
D) Intravenous
Correct Answer: Intravenous
Rationale: The first-pass effect occurs when orally administered drugs are
metabolized by the liver before reaching systemic circulation, reducing
bioavailability. IV administration delivers the drug directly into the bloodstream,
completely bypassing first-pass metabolism and achieving 100% bioavailability.
4. A client is prescribed a medication with a half-life of 4 hours. The nurse
understands that steady-state concentrations will be achieved in approximately
how many hours?
A) 4 hours
B) 8 hours
C) 16 to 20 hours
, D) 40 hours
Correct Answer: 16 to 20 hours
Rationale: Steady-state is achieved after approximately 4 to 5 half-lives. With a
half-life of 4 hours, steady-state would be achieved in approximately 16 to 20
hours. At steady-state, drug elimination equals drug administration, and serum
concentrations remain relatively constant.
5. A client is prescribed a medication that is 95% protein-bound. The client's
serum albumin level is low. The nurse should anticipate which effect?
A) Decreased drug effect
B) Increased drug effect and risk of toxicity
C) No change in drug effect
D) Increased drug excretion
Correct Answer: Increased drug effect and risk of toxicity
Rationale: Low serum albumin levels result in fewer protein-binding sites,
leading to a higher proportion of free (unbound) drug. The free drug is
pharmacologically active, so the client is at increased risk for enhanced effects and
toxicity.
6. A nurse is reviewing the rights of medication administration with a new
graduate. Which of the following is NOT considered one of the standard "Five
Rights"?
A) Right patient
B) Right medication
Q&A | Herzing University
1. A nurse is teaching a client about the difference between pharmacokinetics and
pharmacodynamics. Which statement by the client indicates correct
understanding?
A) "Pharmacokinetics is what the drug does to the body."
B) "Pharmacodynamics is what the body does to the drug."
C) "Pharmacokinetics describes drug movement through the body."
D) "Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics are the same thing."
Correct Answer: "Pharmacokinetics describes drug movement through the
body."
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics describes what the body does to the drug,
specifically absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME).
Pharmacodynamics describes what the drug does to the body. The client's
statement correctly identifies pharmacokinetics as drug movement through the
body.
2. A client is receiving a medication via the intravenous route. The nurse
understands that which statement about IV administration is correct?
A) IV administration has the slowest onset of action
B) IV administration achieves 100% bioavailability
C) IV drugs must be absorbed through the GI tract
D) IV administration is subject to first-pass metabolism
,Correct Answer: IV administration achieves 100% bioavailability
Rationale: IV administration delivers the drug directly into the bloodstream,
achieving 100% bioavailability and the fastest onset of action. Oral drugs must be
absorbed through the GI tract and are subject to first-pass metabolism, which
reduces bioavailability.
3. A client is prescribed an oral medication that undergoes extensive first-pass
metabolism. The nurse should anticipate that the provider may prescribe which
route to bypass this effect?
A) Oral
B) Sublingual
C) Intramuscular
D) Intravenous
Correct Answer: Intravenous
Rationale: The first-pass effect occurs when orally administered drugs are
metabolized by the liver before reaching systemic circulation, reducing
bioavailability. IV administration delivers the drug directly into the bloodstream,
completely bypassing first-pass metabolism and achieving 100% bioavailability.
4. A client is prescribed a medication with a half-life of 4 hours. The nurse
understands that steady-state concentrations will be achieved in approximately
how many hours?
A) 4 hours
B) 8 hours
C) 16 to 20 hours
, D) 40 hours
Correct Answer: 16 to 20 hours
Rationale: Steady-state is achieved after approximately 4 to 5 half-lives. With a
half-life of 4 hours, steady-state would be achieved in approximately 16 to 20
hours. At steady-state, drug elimination equals drug administration, and serum
concentrations remain relatively constant.
5. A client is prescribed a medication that is 95% protein-bound. The client's
serum albumin level is low. The nurse should anticipate which effect?
A) Decreased drug effect
B) Increased drug effect and risk of toxicity
C) No change in drug effect
D) Increased drug excretion
Correct Answer: Increased drug effect and risk of toxicity
Rationale: Low serum albumin levels result in fewer protein-binding sites,
leading to a higher proportion of free (unbound) drug. The free drug is
pharmacologically active, so the client is at increased risk for enhanced effects and
toxicity.
6. A nurse is reviewing the rights of medication administration with a new
graduate. Which of the following is NOT considered one of the standard "Five
Rights"?
A) Right patient
B) Right medication
