NURS 6521 – Advanced Pharmacology Practice Midterm 2025-
2026
100 Multiple-Choice Questions with Answers & Explanations
Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics
1. Which term describes the fraction of a drug that reaches systemic circulation unchanged?
A. Clearance
B. Bioavailability
C. Potency
D. Efficacy
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Bioavailability is the percentage of a drug that enters circulation unchanged after
administration.
2. First-pass metabolism primarily occurs in which organ?
A. Kidneys
B. Lungs
C. Liver
D. Heart
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Oral drugs pass through the liver first, where metabolism can reduce drug
concentration.
3. A drug with a long half-life will:
A. Reach steady state quickly
B. Require frequent dosing
C. Take longer to reach steady state
D. Be eliminated rapidly
,Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Steady state occurs after ~4–5 half-lives; longer half-life means slower
accumulation.
4. Which factor most affects drug distribution?
A. Renal clearance
B. Protein binding
C. First-pass effect
D. Bioavailability
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Protein-bound drugs remain in circulation longer and distribute less into tissues.
5. What does efficacy describe?
A. Drug strength
B. Maximum response achievable
C. Required dose
D. Therapeutic index
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Efficacy refers to the maximum effect a drug can produce.
Receptors & Drug Action
6. A partial agonist will:
A. Produce full receptor activation
B. Block all receptor activity
C. Produce less effect than a full agonist
D. Have no intrinsic activity
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Partial agonists activate receptors but produce a weaker response.
7. Competitive antagonists:
A. Reduce maximal efficacy
B. Shift the dose-response curve right
, C. Bind irreversibly
D. Cannot be overcome
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Competitive antagonists compete at the receptor and can be overcome with
higher doses.
8. Which receptor type directly opens ion channels?
A. G-protein–coupled
B. Nuclear
C. Enzyme-linked
D. Ligand-gated ion channel
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Ligand-gated ion channels cause rapid cellular responses.
9. A drug with high potency:
A. Has a high therapeutic index
B. Produces greater efficacy
C. Requires a lower dose
D. Has fewer side effects
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Potency reflects the amount of drug needed for effect, not its maximum effect.
10. Noncompetitive antagonists:
A. Shift the curve right only
B. Reduce maximal response
C. Are reversible
D. Increase efficacy
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Noncompetitive antagonists reduce efficacy regardless of dose.
Autonomic Nervous System
2026
100 Multiple-Choice Questions with Answers & Explanations
Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics
1. Which term describes the fraction of a drug that reaches systemic circulation unchanged?
A. Clearance
B. Bioavailability
C. Potency
D. Efficacy
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Bioavailability is the percentage of a drug that enters circulation unchanged after
administration.
2. First-pass metabolism primarily occurs in which organ?
A. Kidneys
B. Lungs
C. Liver
D. Heart
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Oral drugs pass through the liver first, where metabolism can reduce drug
concentration.
3. A drug with a long half-life will:
A. Reach steady state quickly
B. Require frequent dosing
C. Take longer to reach steady state
D. Be eliminated rapidly
,Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Steady state occurs after ~4–5 half-lives; longer half-life means slower
accumulation.
4. Which factor most affects drug distribution?
A. Renal clearance
B. Protein binding
C. First-pass effect
D. Bioavailability
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Protein-bound drugs remain in circulation longer and distribute less into tissues.
5. What does efficacy describe?
A. Drug strength
B. Maximum response achievable
C. Required dose
D. Therapeutic index
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Efficacy refers to the maximum effect a drug can produce.
Receptors & Drug Action
6. A partial agonist will:
A. Produce full receptor activation
B. Block all receptor activity
C. Produce less effect than a full agonist
D. Have no intrinsic activity
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Partial agonists activate receptors but produce a weaker response.
7. Competitive antagonists:
A. Reduce maximal efficacy
B. Shift the dose-response curve right
, C. Bind irreversibly
D. Cannot be overcome
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Competitive antagonists compete at the receptor and can be overcome with
higher doses.
8. Which receptor type directly opens ion channels?
A. G-protein–coupled
B. Nuclear
C. Enzyme-linked
D. Ligand-gated ion channel
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Ligand-gated ion channels cause rapid cellular responses.
9. A drug with high potency:
A. Has a high therapeutic index
B. Produces greater efficacy
C. Requires a lower dose
D. Has fewer side effects
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Potency reflects the amount of drug needed for effect, not its maximum effect.
10. Noncompetitive antagonists:
A. Shift the curve right only
B. Reduce maximal response
C. Are reversible
D. Increase efficacy
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Noncompetitive antagonists reduce efficacy regardless of dose.
Autonomic Nervous System
