ECPI NUR 138 Pharmacology Exam 1
Questions With Complete Solutions
The patient is to receive oral guaifenesin (Mucinex) twice a day.
Today, the nurse was busy and gave the medication 2 hours after
the scheduled dose was due. What type of problem does this
represent?
A. "Right route"
B. "Right medication"
C. "Right dose"
D. "Right time" correct answer: D. "Right time"
Rationale: "Right time" is correct because the medication was
given more than 30 minutes after the scheduled dose was due.
"Dose" is incorrect because the dose is not related to the time the
medication administration is scheduled. "Route" is incorrect
because the route is not affected. "Medication" is incorrect
because the medication ordered will not change.
The nurse is administering parenteral drugs. Which statement is
true regarding parenteral drugs?
A. Parenteral drugs bypass the first-pass effect.
B. Absorption of parenteral drugs is affected by reduced blood
flow to the stomach.
C. Absorption of parenteral drugs is faster when the stomach is
empty.
,D. Parenteral drugs exert their effects while circulating in the
bloodstream. correct answer: A. Parenteral drugs bypass the
first-pass effect.
Rationale: Drugs given by the parenteral route bypass the first-
pass effect. Reduced blood flow to the stomach and the presence
of food in the stomach apply to enteral drugs (taken orally), not
to parenteral drugs. Parenteral drugs must be absorbed into cells
and tissues from the circulation before they can exert their
effects: they do not exert their effects while circulating in the
bloodstream.
The nurse is administering medications to the patient who is in
renal failure resulting from end-stage renal disease. The nurse is
aware that patients with kidney failure would most likely have
problems with which pharmacokinetic phase?
A. Excretion
B. Absorption
C. Metabolism
D. Distribution correct answer: A. Excretion
Rationale: The kidneys are the organs that are most responsible
for drug excretion. Renal function does not affect the absorption
and distribution of a drug. Renal function may affect metabolism
of drugs to a small extent.
The patient is complaining of a headache and asks the nurse
which over-the-counter medication form would work the fastest
to help reduce the pain. Which medication form will the nurse
suggest?
, A. A tablet
B. A capsule
C. A powder
D. An enteric-coated tablet correct answer: C. A powder
Rationale: Of the types of oral medications listed, the powder
form would be absorbed the fastest, thus having a faster onset.
The tablet, the capsule, and, finally, the enteric-coated tablet
would be absorbed next, in that order.
Which drugs would be affected by the first-pass effect? (Select
all that apply.)
A. Sublingual nitroglycerin tablets
B. Levothyroxine (Synthroid) tablets
C. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) elixir
D. Penicillin given by IV piggyback infusion
E. Morphine given by IV push injection
F. Esomeprazole (Nexium) capsules
G. Transdermal nicotine patches correct answer: B.
Levothyroxine (Synthroid) tablets
C. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) elixir
F. Esomeprazole (Nexium) capsules
For accurate medication administration to pediatric patients, the
nurse must take into account which criteria?
A. Renal output
B. Height
C. Body temperature
D. Organ maturity correct answer: D. Organ maturity
Questions With Complete Solutions
The patient is to receive oral guaifenesin (Mucinex) twice a day.
Today, the nurse was busy and gave the medication 2 hours after
the scheduled dose was due. What type of problem does this
represent?
A. "Right route"
B. "Right medication"
C. "Right dose"
D. "Right time" correct answer: D. "Right time"
Rationale: "Right time" is correct because the medication was
given more than 30 minutes after the scheduled dose was due.
"Dose" is incorrect because the dose is not related to the time the
medication administration is scheduled. "Route" is incorrect
because the route is not affected. "Medication" is incorrect
because the medication ordered will not change.
The nurse is administering parenteral drugs. Which statement is
true regarding parenteral drugs?
A. Parenteral drugs bypass the first-pass effect.
B. Absorption of parenteral drugs is affected by reduced blood
flow to the stomach.
C. Absorption of parenteral drugs is faster when the stomach is
empty.
,D. Parenteral drugs exert their effects while circulating in the
bloodstream. correct answer: A. Parenteral drugs bypass the
first-pass effect.
Rationale: Drugs given by the parenteral route bypass the first-
pass effect. Reduced blood flow to the stomach and the presence
of food in the stomach apply to enteral drugs (taken orally), not
to parenteral drugs. Parenteral drugs must be absorbed into cells
and tissues from the circulation before they can exert their
effects: they do not exert their effects while circulating in the
bloodstream.
The nurse is administering medications to the patient who is in
renal failure resulting from end-stage renal disease. The nurse is
aware that patients with kidney failure would most likely have
problems with which pharmacokinetic phase?
A. Excretion
B. Absorption
C. Metabolism
D. Distribution correct answer: A. Excretion
Rationale: The kidneys are the organs that are most responsible
for drug excretion. Renal function does not affect the absorption
and distribution of a drug. Renal function may affect metabolism
of drugs to a small extent.
The patient is complaining of a headache and asks the nurse
which over-the-counter medication form would work the fastest
to help reduce the pain. Which medication form will the nurse
suggest?
, A. A tablet
B. A capsule
C. A powder
D. An enteric-coated tablet correct answer: C. A powder
Rationale: Of the types of oral medications listed, the powder
form would be absorbed the fastest, thus having a faster onset.
The tablet, the capsule, and, finally, the enteric-coated tablet
would be absorbed next, in that order.
Which drugs would be affected by the first-pass effect? (Select
all that apply.)
A. Sublingual nitroglycerin tablets
B. Levothyroxine (Synthroid) tablets
C. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) elixir
D. Penicillin given by IV piggyback infusion
E. Morphine given by IV push injection
F. Esomeprazole (Nexium) capsules
G. Transdermal nicotine patches correct answer: B.
Levothyroxine (Synthroid) tablets
C. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) elixir
F. Esomeprazole (Nexium) capsules
For accurate medication administration to pediatric patients, the
nurse must take into account which criteria?
A. Renal output
B. Height
C. Body temperature
D. Organ maturity correct answer: D. Organ maturity
