NU 150 PHARMACOLOGY REVIEW EXAM 1
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS (2025-2026)
GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING
What is Pharmacology
the study of drugs and their interactions with living systems
3 different drug names
Generic, Trade, and Chemical
Pharmacokinetic phase
Activities within body after drug is administered. Absorption, distribution,
metabolism, excretion, and half life
Pharmacodynamic phase
what the drug does to the body
,Half life
time required for the body to eliminate 50% of a drug- short life= more frequent
doses
Longer half life= less frequent doses
CAUTION WITH PTS WITH LIVER AND OR KIDNEY DISEASE- Takes
linger to get rid of drugs
Pharmaceutic Phase
Dissolution of the drug
Drug action
Enters systemic circulation
Exposes body tissue to effects of drug
Certain drugs may have affinity for certain organs or tissues
Greatest action at cellular level on these sites (target sites)
Agonist
Drugs that bind with receptor to produce a therapeutic response
,Antagonist
Blocks drug; Join with receptors to prevent action of agonist; Narcan blocks effects
of morphine overdose
Adverse drug reactions
undesirable drug effects
Anaphylactic shock
Severe allergic reaction- requires immediate medical attention- nurse- check in pts
allergies especially when giving antibiotics, narcotics, and blood products
Signs and symptoms of Anaphylactic shock
QUICK ONSET
mild itching rash
burning skin
vascular dilation
generalized edema especially around face and lips
pallor/cyanosis
dizziness/fainting
sneezing/tightness in chest/cough
, WHEEZING
Tachycardia
Angioedema
Collections of fluid in the Sub Q tissues
Drug Idiosyncrasy
any unusual or abnormal response that differs from the response normally expected
to a specific drug and dosage- Example= sleeping pills make you stay awake
Cumulative Effect
condition that occurs when the body cannot metabolize a drug before additional
doses are administered
Toxic Reaction
Occurs with increased dose of meds or when blood concentration levels exceed
therapeutic level. Example- kidneys not working properly so can't excrete or liver
not metabolizing meds properly. Nurse= maybe monitoring blood levels. Should
know s/s of toxicity with certain drugs. Report toxic levels to MD
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS (2025-2026)
GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING
What is Pharmacology
the study of drugs and their interactions with living systems
3 different drug names
Generic, Trade, and Chemical
Pharmacokinetic phase
Activities within body after drug is administered. Absorption, distribution,
metabolism, excretion, and half life
Pharmacodynamic phase
what the drug does to the body
,Half life
time required for the body to eliminate 50% of a drug- short life= more frequent
doses
Longer half life= less frequent doses
CAUTION WITH PTS WITH LIVER AND OR KIDNEY DISEASE- Takes
linger to get rid of drugs
Pharmaceutic Phase
Dissolution of the drug
Drug action
Enters systemic circulation
Exposes body tissue to effects of drug
Certain drugs may have affinity for certain organs or tissues
Greatest action at cellular level on these sites (target sites)
Agonist
Drugs that bind with receptor to produce a therapeutic response
,Antagonist
Blocks drug; Join with receptors to prevent action of agonist; Narcan blocks effects
of morphine overdose
Adverse drug reactions
undesirable drug effects
Anaphylactic shock
Severe allergic reaction- requires immediate medical attention- nurse- check in pts
allergies especially when giving antibiotics, narcotics, and blood products
Signs and symptoms of Anaphylactic shock
QUICK ONSET
mild itching rash
burning skin
vascular dilation
generalized edema especially around face and lips
pallor/cyanosis
dizziness/fainting
sneezing/tightness in chest/cough
, WHEEZING
Tachycardia
Angioedema
Collections of fluid in the Sub Q tissues
Drug Idiosyncrasy
any unusual or abnormal response that differs from the response normally expected
to a specific drug and dosage- Example= sleeping pills make you stay awake
Cumulative Effect
condition that occurs when the body cannot metabolize a drug before additional
doses are administered
Toxic Reaction
Occurs with increased dose of meds or when blood concentration levels exceed
therapeutic level. Example- kidneys not working properly so can't excrete or liver
not metabolizing meds properly. Nurse= maybe monitoring blood levels. Should
know s/s of toxicity with certain drugs. Report toxic levels to MD
