Pharmacology Exam 1 - Elsevier Quiz questions
and answers 2025-2026 update
Which factor is a major pharmacokinetic process?
a. physiologic interactions of drugs
b. interactions among various drugs
c. adverse reactions to drugs
d. absorption of drugs - ✔✔ANS d. absorption of drugs
Pharmacokinetics involves the way the drug moves through the body, including absorption, distribution
metabolism, and excretion
Which statement represents a physiologic change that may alter pharmacodynamics in older adult
prescribed multiple medications?
a. the % of drug absorbed often is decreased in older adults
b. most older adults have decreased body fat and increased lean mass
c. renal function declines with age, leading to decreased drug excretion
d. hepatic metabolism tends to increase in older adults, resulting in decreased drug levels - ✔✔ANS c
renal function declines with age, leading to decreased drug excretion
Although absorption may be delayed in older adults, the % absorbed does not change. Most older adult
have increased body fat and decreased lean mass. Hepatic metabolism tends to decline with age.
Which term refers to the study of how the administration of a drug influences cell physiology?
a. pharmacology
b. pharmacokinetics
c. pharmacodynamics
d. pharmacotherapeutics - ✔✔ANS c. pharmacodynamics
,Pharmacodynamics studies what drugs do to the body (how they influence cellular physiology)
Which phase of pharmacokinetics is of the greatest concern for the nurse when assessing for drug effect
in older adults?
a. absorption
b. distribution
c. metabolism
d. excretion - ✔✔ANS d. excretion
Although pharmacokinetic changes in older adults affect all phases of pharmacokinetics, dru
accumulation secondary to reduce renal excretion is the most important cause of adverse drug reaction
in older adults
What is the correct order of the pharmacokinetic processes for parenteral drugs?
1. biotransformation
2. distribution
3. elimination
4. absorption - ✔✔ANS 4. absportion
2. distribution
1. biotransformation
3. elimination
The first step in the process of pharmacokinetics is absorption. The drug moves from the GI tract to bod
fluids by passive absorption, active absorption, or pinocytosis. The absorbed drug is distributed by bloo
flow, the tissue's affinity for the drug, and the protein-binding effect. The distributed drug undergoe
metabolism or biotransformation in various organs of the body, but the liver is the primary site o
metabolism. The kidney filter free, unbound drugs, water-soluble drugs, and drugs that are unchange
through the process of elimination or excretion.
Which statement is true about new drug development? Select all that apply.
a. all adverse effects are known before a drug is approved for release
b. phase I of clinical testing occurs with patients to determine therapeutic effects
c. preclinical testing of drugs is always performed in healthy, nonpregnant adults
d. participants in drug trials are unaware of whether they receive the drug or a placebo
,e. during preclinical testing, drugs are evaluated for toxicities, kinetic properties, and useful effects
✔✔ANS d. participants in drug trials are unaware of whether they receive the drug or a placebo
e. during preclinical testing, drugs are evaluated for toxicities, kinetic properties, and useful effects
During the testing process, randomized controlled trials are used, in which the participants are unawar
of which subjects are getting the drug, placebo, or control. Kinetics, toxicities, and effectiveness ar
tested during the preclinical phase. Because drug testing occurs in relatively small # of patients, thos
patients are carefully selected, the drug is taken for a relatively short time, and not all adverse are detecte
during the drug testing process. Phase I clinical testing is on healthy volunteers to evaluat
pharmacokinetics, metabolism, and biological effects. Patient use occurs in Phases II and III. Preclinica
drug testing is not performed in humans; it is done mostly in animals.
A new nurse is caring for a patient who has been taking morphine sulfate for pain for 2 weeks. Whic
statement by the nurse shows an understanding of pharmacodynamic tolerance?
a. "The minimum effective concentration of morphine is lowered."
b. "The patient will require increased doses of morphine to achieve pain relief."
c. "An increase in responsiveness to morphine results from repeated dosing over a short period."
d. "This response to morphine is caused by psychologic factors and not by biochemical or physiologi
properties." - ✔✔ANS b. "The patient will require increased doses of morphine to achieve pain relief."
Pharmacodynamic tolerance is the phenomenon of decreased responsiveness to a drug as a result o
repeated drug administration. Metabolic tolerance results from accelerated drug metabolism and no
repeated dosages; therefore the minimum effective concentration is not affected. Tachyphylaxis is
reduction in drug responsiveness as a result of repeated dosing over a short time. The placebo effect i
a drug response caused by psychologic factors and not by the drug's biochemical or physiologi
properties
Which statement indicates that the nurse understands the meaning of pharmacokinetics?
a. "It explains the adverse reactions to drugs."
b. "It explains interactions among various drugs."
c. "It explains how drugs are absorbed and distributed."
d. "It involves the study of physiologic interactions of drugs." - ✔✔ANS c. "It explains how drugs ar
absorbed and distributed."
Pharmacokinetics involves the study of how the drug moves through the body, including absorption
distribution, metabolism, and excretion. Pharmacokinetics does NOT explain adverse reactions o
interactions among drugs, nor does it involve the study of drug interactions.
, Which statement indicates that the nurse understands the meaning of pharmacokinetics?
a. "It explains the adverse reactions to drugs."
b. "It explains interactions among various drugs."
c. "It explains the movement of drugs throughout the body."
d. "It involves the study of physiologic interactions of drugs." - ✔✔ANS c. "It explains the movement o
drugs throughout the body."
Pharmacokinetics involves the study of how the drug moves through the body, including absorption
distribution, metabolism, and excretion. Pharmacokinetics does NOT explain adverse reactions o
interactions among drugs, nor does it involve the study of drug interactions.
Which characteristic may determine the patient's response to a drug? Select all the apply. One, some, o
all responses may be correct.
a. age
b. mood
c. weight
d. sex
e. genetics - ✔✔ANS a. age
c. weight
d. sex
e. genetics
Characteristics unique to each patient can influence pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processe
and, by doing so, can help determine the patient's responses to a drug. Sources of individual variatio
include drug interactions; physiologic variables (age, sex, weight); pathologic variables (especiall
diminished function of the kidneys and liver, the major organs of drug elimination); and genetic variables
Mood may contribute to medication compliance but does not have an impact on pharmacokinetics o
pharmacodynamics.
Which drug process is illustrated when traces of the drug are found in the urine and cerebrospinal flui
12 hours after oral administration?
a. pharmaceutics
b. pharmacokinetics
c. pharmacodynamics
d. pharmacotherapeutics - ✔✔ANS b. pharmacokinetics
and answers 2025-2026 update
Which factor is a major pharmacokinetic process?
a. physiologic interactions of drugs
b. interactions among various drugs
c. adverse reactions to drugs
d. absorption of drugs - ✔✔ANS d. absorption of drugs
Pharmacokinetics involves the way the drug moves through the body, including absorption, distribution
metabolism, and excretion
Which statement represents a physiologic change that may alter pharmacodynamics in older adult
prescribed multiple medications?
a. the % of drug absorbed often is decreased in older adults
b. most older adults have decreased body fat and increased lean mass
c. renal function declines with age, leading to decreased drug excretion
d. hepatic metabolism tends to increase in older adults, resulting in decreased drug levels - ✔✔ANS c
renal function declines with age, leading to decreased drug excretion
Although absorption may be delayed in older adults, the % absorbed does not change. Most older adult
have increased body fat and decreased lean mass. Hepatic metabolism tends to decline with age.
Which term refers to the study of how the administration of a drug influences cell physiology?
a. pharmacology
b. pharmacokinetics
c. pharmacodynamics
d. pharmacotherapeutics - ✔✔ANS c. pharmacodynamics
,Pharmacodynamics studies what drugs do to the body (how they influence cellular physiology)
Which phase of pharmacokinetics is of the greatest concern for the nurse when assessing for drug effect
in older adults?
a. absorption
b. distribution
c. metabolism
d. excretion - ✔✔ANS d. excretion
Although pharmacokinetic changes in older adults affect all phases of pharmacokinetics, dru
accumulation secondary to reduce renal excretion is the most important cause of adverse drug reaction
in older adults
What is the correct order of the pharmacokinetic processes for parenteral drugs?
1. biotransformation
2. distribution
3. elimination
4. absorption - ✔✔ANS 4. absportion
2. distribution
1. biotransformation
3. elimination
The first step in the process of pharmacokinetics is absorption. The drug moves from the GI tract to bod
fluids by passive absorption, active absorption, or pinocytosis. The absorbed drug is distributed by bloo
flow, the tissue's affinity for the drug, and the protein-binding effect. The distributed drug undergoe
metabolism or biotransformation in various organs of the body, but the liver is the primary site o
metabolism. The kidney filter free, unbound drugs, water-soluble drugs, and drugs that are unchange
through the process of elimination or excretion.
Which statement is true about new drug development? Select all that apply.
a. all adverse effects are known before a drug is approved for release
b. phase I of clinical testing occurs with patients to determine therapeutic effects
c. preclinical testing of drugs is always performed in healthy, nonpregnant adults
d. participants in drug trials are unaware of whether they receive the drug or a placebo
,e. during preclinical testing, drugs are evaluated for toxicities, kinetic properties, and useful effects
✔✔ANS d. participants in drug trials are unaware of whether they receive the drug or a placebo
e. during preclinical testing, drugs are evaluated for toxicities, kinetic properties, and useful effects
During the testing process, randomized controlled trials are used, in which the participants are unawar
of which subjects are getting the drug, placebo, or control. Kinetics, toxicities, and effectiveness ar
tested during the preclinical phase. Because drug testing occurs in relatively small # of patients, thos
patients are carefully selected, the drug is taken for a relatively short time, and not all adverse are detecte
during the drug testing process. Phase I clinical testing is on healthy volunteers to evaluat
pharmacokinetics, metabolism, and biological effects. Patient use occurs in Phases II and III. Preclinica
drug testing is not performed in humans; it is done mostly in animals.
A new nurse is caring for a patient who has been taking morphine sulfate for pain for 2 weeks. Whic
statement by the nurse shows an understanding of pharmacodynamic tolerance?
a. "The minimum effective concentration of morphine is lowered."
b. "The patient will require increased doses of morphine to achieve pain relief."
c. "An increase in responsiveness to morphine results from repeated dosing over a short period."
d. "This response to morphine is caused by psychologic factors and not by biochemical or physiologi
properties." - ✔✔ANS b. "The patient will require increased doses of morphine to achieve pain relief."
Pharmacodynamic tolerance is the phenomenon of decreased responsiveness to a drug as a result o
repeated drug administration. Metabolic tolerance results from accelerated drug metabolism and no
repeated dosages; therefore the minimum effective concentration is not affected. Tachyphylaxis is
reduction in drug responsiveness as a result of repeated dosing over a short time. The placebo effect i
a drug response caused by psychologic factors and not by the drug's biochemical or physiologi
properties
Which statement indicates that the nurse understands the meaning of pharmacokinetics?
a. "It explains the adverse reactions to drugs."
b. "It explains interactions among various drugs."
c. "It explains how drugs are absorbed and distributed."
d. "It involves the study of physiologic interactions of drugs." - ✔✔ANS c. "It explains how drugs ar
absorbed and distributed."
Pharmacokinetics involves the study of how the drug moves through the body, including absorption
distribution, metabolism, and excretion. Pharmacokinetics does NOT explain adverse reactions o
interactions among drugs, nor does it involve the study of drug interactions.
, Which statement indicates that the nurse understands the meaning of pharmacokinetics?
a. "It explains the adverse reactions to drugs."
b. "It explains interactions among various drugs."
c. "It explains the movement of drugs throughout the body."
d. "It involves the study of physiologic interactions of drugs." - ✔✔ANS c. "It explains the movement o
drugs throughout the body."
Pharmacokinetics involves the study of how the drug moves through the body, including absorption
distribution, metabolism, and excretion. Pharmacokinetics does NOT explain adverse reactions o
interactions among drugs, nor does it involve the study of drug interactions.
Which characteristic may determine the patient's response to a drug? Select all the apply. One, some, o
all responses may be correct.
a. age
b. mood
c. weight
d. sex
e. genetics - ✔✔ANS a. age
c. weight
d. sex
e. genetics
Characteristics unique to each patient can influence pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processe
and, by doing so, can help determine the patient's responses to a drug. Sources of individual variatio
include drug interactions; physiologic variables (age, sex, weight); pathologic variables (especiall
diminished function of the kidneys and liver, the major organs of drug elimination); and genetic variables
Mood may contribute to medication compliance but does not have an impact on pharmacokinetics o
pharmacodynamics.
Which drug process is illustrated when traces of the drug are found in the urine and cerebrospinal flui
12 hours after oral administration?
a. pharmaceutics
b. pharmacokinetics
c. pharmacodynamics
d. pharmacotherapeutics - ✔✔ANS b. pharmacokinetics
