NUR 378 Pharmacology Exam 1, 2, 3 & Final Exam (2025) – Actual Questions and Answers | Concordia University St. Paul

NUR 378 Pharmacology Exam 1, 2, 3 &
Final Exam (2025) – Actual Questions
and Answers | Concordia University St.
Paul

This complete exam set for NUR 378 Pharmacology at Concordia University St. Paul includes
Exam 1 (25 questions), Exam 2 (25 questions), Exam 3 (25 questions), and Final Exam (50
questions), totaling 125 multiple-choice questions. Questions cover drug classifications,
mechanisms of action, side effects, interactions, contraindications, and patient education,
aligned with the 2025 curriculum and Pharmacology: A Patient-Centered Nursing Process
Approach (10th Edition, McCuistion). Each question has four options (A–D), the correct answer
in bold, and a short rationale explaining why it is correct and why the other options are incorrect.




Exam 1: Introduction to Pharmacology and Drug
Classifications (25 Questions)
Question 1
What is the primary goal of pharmacodynamics?
A) Drug absorption
B) Drug effects on the body
C) Drug metabolism
D) Drug excretion

Correct Answer: B
Rationale : Pharmacodynamics studies drug mechanisms and effects; A is pharmacokinetics,
C metabolism, D elimination.

Question 2
A patient is prescribed an agonist drug. What is its action?
A) Blocks receptor
B) Stimulates receptor
C) Neutralizes receptor
D) Inhibits absorption

,Correct Answer: B
Rationale : Agonists bind and activate receptors; A antagonist, C neutral, D unrelated.

Question 3
Which phase of clinical trials tests efficacy in a large population?
A) Phase III
B) Phase I
C) Phase II
D) Phase IV

Correct Answer: A
Rationale : Phase III confirms efficacy and monitors side effects in diverse groups; B safety, C
dose, D post-marketing.

Question 4
What is a common side effect of antihistamines?
A) Drowsiness
B) Hypertension
C) Hyperglycemia
D) Tachycardia

Correct Answer: A
Rationale : First-generation antihistamines cause CNS depression (drowsiness); B, C, D
unrelated.

Question 5
A drug with a half-life of 8 hours requires dosing every:
A) 24 hours
B) 8 hours
C) 4 hours
D) 16 hours

Correct Answer: B
Rationale : Dosing every half-life maintains steady state; A too long, C too frequent, D arbitrary.

Question 6
What is the therapeutic index?
A) Safety margin between effective and toxic dose
B) Drug absorption rate
C) Metabolism speed
D) Excretion half-life

Correct Answer: A
Rationale : Therapeutic index measures drug safety (McCuistion, 10th Ed., Ch. 2); B, C, D
pharmacokinetic.

, Question 7
A patient on warfarin should avoid:
A) Vitamin K-rich foods
B) Vitamin C
C) Iron supplements
D) Calcium

Correct Answer: A
Rationale : Vitamin K antagonizes warfarin; B, C, D unrelated.

Question 8
Which drug class is used for hypertension?
A) Beta-blockers
B) Antihistamines
C) Antacids
D) Laxatives

Correct Answer: A
Rationale : Beta-blockers reduce heart rate and BP; B allergies, C acid, D constipation.

Question 9
What is the FDA pregnancy category A?
A) No risk in pregnancy
B) Risk cannot be ruled out
C) Positive evidence of risk
D) Contraindicated

Correct Answer: A
Rationale : Category A: safe with no risk from studies; B C, D increasing risk.

Question 10
A drug interaction that reduces efficacy is:
A) Antagonistic
B) Synergistic
C) Additive
D) Potentiation

Correct Answer: A
Rationale : Antagonistic interactions oppose drug effects; B, C, D enhance.

Question 11
What is the primary route of excretion for most drugs?
A) Kidneys
B) Liver
C) Lungs
D) Skin