updated 2026 questions with \verified
Answers
The science of pharmaceutical systems/ preparations - ANSWER Pharmaceutics
What the body does to drugs - ANSWER Pharmacokinetics
What the drugs do to the body - ANSWER Pharmacodynamics
Treatment of disease with drugs - ANSWER Pharmacotherapy
Study of drugs, their sources, actions, chemistry and uses - ANSWER Pharmacology
Liberation, Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Elimination, Therapeutic drug monitoring
- ANSWER Basic pharmacokinetics (LADMET)
The minimum concentration - ANSWER C-min
The maximum concentration - ANSWER C-max
The time to maximum concentration - ANSWER T-max
Half-life - ANSWER T-1/2
Area Under drug Vs. Time Curve (Total exposure to drug) - ANSWER AUC
Volume of distribution - ANSWER Vd
Fraction of drug absorbed into system - ANSWER F
Elimination rate constant (eg. hr -1) - ANSWER k
Clearance (eg. volume/time) - ANSWER CL
Estimated Creatinine Clearance (approximates GFR) - ANSWER Cr-CL-est
Serum creatinine - ANSWER S-cr
,Steady State Concentration - ANSWER C-ss
Name brand vs. generic/ 2 different drugs have the same form and concentration Within -20
to 25% - ANSWER Bioequivalence
-Applies to most drugs
-Takes the same amount of time to wear off, regardless of amount
-Dose INDEPENDENT - ANSWER First order kinetics
-Dose DEPENDENT kinetics
Funnel example/Time it takes to wear off depends on amount taken (Ex: ETOH) - ANSWER
Zero-order kinetics
-Absorption/Elimination are equal (Reaches a plateau)
-Dependent on elimination half-life (Does not depend on loading doses or interval) -
ANSWER Steady State
Depends on:
-Rate: T-max
-Extent: C-max/AUC
-Bioavailability: Amt. of drug that reaches circulation (First-pass effect) (Route of admin.) -
ANSWER Absorption
Via passive processes
-Determined by:
-Surface area (small intestine is where most absorption takes place
-Contact time (diarrhea, peristalsis, gastric emptying)
-Concentration gradient
-GI fluid pH - ANSWER GI Absorption
-Transport of a drug to its site of action/elimination
-Storage of a drug in the body
-Varies among individuals
-Vd= amt. of drug in the body - ANSWER Distribution
-Blood flow
-Special membrane barriers (blood/brain/milk)
-Plasma protein binding (bound/unbound drugs)
-Storage tissues (hydrophilic/lipophilic drugs) - ANSWER Distribution determinants
Age: (elderly= decrease in muscle mass/increased fat mass)
Gender: Women have decreased muscle & increased fat
Disease: Illness decreases albumin
Nutrition: Low albumin - ANSWER Distribution: Alterations in Vd
,-Increases elimination from the body
-Lipophilic drugs are more hydrophilic
-Nonpolar drugs = increased polarity - ANSWER Metabolism
Renal
-CrCl: GFR - ANSWER Most important form of elimination from the body
Trough: Because there's less fluctuation in drug levels vs. elimination curve of peak -
ANSWER Preferred time to check levels of oral meds and why
Body increases # of receptors in response to medication's blocking them (ex: beta blockers)
-May cause increase in symptoms if stopped suddenly (HTN, heartburn) - ANSWER
Up-regulation
Body decreases # of receptors in response to medication
-May result in tolerance - ANSWER Down-regulation
Illegal drugs: Heroin, PCP, etc.
-Cannot prescribe - ANSWER Schedule 1 Drugs
Morphine, Cocaine, Ritalin
-Need written script every time/No call ins/No refills - ANSWER Schedule 2 Drugs
Tylenol 3, Anabolic steroids
-May have paper or phone script
-May refill up to 5 times - ANSWER Schedule 3 Drugs
Benzodiazepines - ANSWER Schedule 4 Drugs
Codeine cough syrups - ANSWER Schedule 5 Drugs
Studies on women show remote risk to fetus - ANSWER FDA Category A
Either animal studies show no risk/No human study done OR animal study finds risk but
human study doesn't - ANSWER FDA Category B
Animal study finds risk but no human study done OR No human/animal studies done -
ANSWER FDA Category C
There is proof of risk to fetus but benefit outweighs the risk - ANSWER FDA Category D
There is proof of risk to fetus and benefit does NOT outweigh risk - ANSWER FDA
Category
, Fine for trimesters 1 & 2/ Avoid during 3rd trimester - ANSWER Macrodantin & Pregnancy
Fine for trimesters 1 & 2/ Avoid during 3rd trimester - ANSWER Bactrim & Pregnancy
Fine for all trimesters - ANSWER Cephalosporins & Pregnancy
May only practice under the supervision of an MD - ANSWER Dependent Authority
May practice without the supervision of an MD - ANSWER Independent Authority
Headache, Cough & Cold - ANSWER Top selling OTC meds
Under-utilization: Not taking enough of a med
Over-utilization: Taking too much of a med - ANSWER 2 Types of Medication
Non-Compliance
1. Preventative vs. Symptomatic Treatment
2. Duration of therapy
3. Therapy requires behavior change
4. Poor/confusing/complex therapy instructions
5. Therapy causes adverse side-effects - ANSWER Risk Factors for Medication
Non-compliance
DEA - ANSWER Who monitors controlled substance prescription writing for NP?
No more than 7 day supply - ANSWER How much medication should you prescribe a
patient with suicidal ideation?
1. Ask for a medication by name
2. Carry their medical records around with them
3. Request frequent refills
4. See multiple providers - ANSWER Characteristics of drug-seeking patients
1. Patient's Situation
2. Patient's Desires/Values
3. Provider's Values
4. Provider's Experience
5. Research/ EBP - ANSWER 5 Factors that Determine a Medical Decision
Immunosuppressed - ANSWER Avoid immunizations in the following populations:
Polio, MMR, Varicella, Flu (1st trimester only), Pneumococcal, Yellow Fever, Typhoid,
Smallpox - ANSWER Vaccinations to avoid in pregnancy