ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
Why should morphine be used cautiously in patients with gallbladder disease? - CORRECT
ANSWER - It can cause biliary tract spasms and worsen pain.
What is the black box warning for morphine? - CORRECT ANSWER - Risk of fatal
respiratory depression, especially with extended-release forms or if used improperly.
What is the antidote for opioid overdose? - CORRECT ANSWER - Naloxone (Narcan)
A patient receiving morphine becomes drowsy and has a respiratory rate of 8. What should the
nurse do first? - CORRECT ANSWER - Administer naloxone and notify the provider.
What drug combination is used in Suboxone for opioid dependence? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Buprenorphine + naloxone.
Which patients should receive long-term opioid therapy with caution? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Patients with a history of substance use or respiratory disorders.
What is the role of PCA (Patient-Controlled Analgesia)? - CORRECT ANSWER - Allows
patients to self-administer a controlled amount of analgesia.
Name one example of a mixed opioid agonist-antagonist. - CORRECT ANSWER -
Pentazocine (Talwin).
Which opioid is commonly combined with acetaminophen in Tylenol #3? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Codeine
, Which opioid receptor is most associated with analgesia and euphoria? - CORRECT
ANSWER - MU receptor
What route bypasses the first-pass effect? - CORRECT ANSWER - intravenous (IV)
What is the bioavailability of a drug? - CORRECT ANSWER - Percentage of drug absorbed
into systemic circulation (ALSO)
The proportion of a drug that enters circulation and can have an active effect.
What is a loading dose? - CORRECT ANSWER - initial higher dose of a drug that may be
given at the beginning of treatment to RAPIDLY achieve a therapeutic level
What organ is primarily responsible for drug metabolism? - CORRECT ANSWER - LIVER
What are the 4 phases of pharmacokinetics? - CORRECT ANSWER - absorption,
distribution, metabolism, excretion
"ALL DRUGS MUST EXIT" "ADME"
What does a low therapeutic index indicate? - CORRECT ANSWER - low margin of safety,
requires close monitoring.
Define the half life of a drug - CORRECT ANSWER - amount of time needed for 1/2 the
given dose to be rendered inactive or eliminated from the body
Which pharmacokinetic phase is primarily responsible for drug removal from the body -
CORRECT ANSWER - EXCRETION, primarily through the kidneys.
What is the main difference between the trade name and generic name of a drug? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Trade name is the brand name given by the manufacturer; generic name is the
official chemical name (that does not change). Example: Trade = Tylenol, Generic =
acetaminophen.