PRN 1381/PRN1381 Exam 1 V1 | Principles
of Pharmacology Q&A with Rationale |
Rasmussen University
1. Which term describes the study of what the body does to a drug?
A. Pharmacodynamics
B. Pharmacokinetics
C. Pharmacotherapeutics
D. Pharmacognosy
Answer: B
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics involves the processes of absorption, distribution,
metabolism, and excretion of drugs. It focuses on how the drug moves through the body
and changes over time. In contrast, pharmacodynamics refers to what the drug does to the
body.
2. A patient is given an oral medication that undergoes significant metabolism in the liver
before reaching systemic circulation. What is this effect called?
A. First-pass effect
B. Steady state
C. Bioavailability
D. Therapeutic index
,Answer: A
Rationale: The first-pass effect occurs when a drug is metabolized by the liver immediately
after being absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. This process significantly reduces the
amount of active drug that enters the systemic circulation. To compensate for this, oral
doses are often much higher than intravenous doses of the same drug.
3. Which route of administration provides the fastest absorption and 100% bioavailability?
A. Subcutaneous
B. Intravenous
C. Oral
D. Intramuscular
Answer: B
Rationale: Intravenous administration bypasses all barriers to absorption by placing the
drug directly into the bloodstream. This results in immediate onset of action and ensures
that the entire dose is bioavailable. Other routes, such as oral or subcutaneous, require
time for the drug to cross tissues or membranes.
4. A nurse is administering a drug that has a narrow therapeutic index. What should the nurse
prioritize?
A. Encouraging high fluid intake
B. Monitoring blood drug levels closely
, C. Administering the drug on an empty stomach
D. Assessing for allergic reactions only
Answer: B
Rationale: A narrow therapeutic index means there is a very small difference between a
therapeutic dose and a toxic dose. Frequent monitoring of serum drug levels is essential to
prevent toxicity while maintaining efficacy. Nurses must be vigilant for early signs of
adverse effects in these patients.
5. Which drug schedule contains substances with a high potential for abuse and no currently
accepted medical use in the United States?
A. Schedule I
B. Schedule II
C. Schedule III
D. Schedule IV
Answer: A
Rationale: Schedule I drugs are defined as having a high risk for dependency and no
approved medical application. Examples include heroin and LSD. Schedules II through V
have accepted medical uses but varying degrees of abuse potential.
6. What is the primary site of drug excretion in the human body?
A. Liver
of Pharmacology Q&A with Rationale |
Rasmussen University
1. Which term describes the study of what the body does to a drug?
A. Pharmacodynamics
B. Pharmacokinetics
C. Pharmacotherapeutics
D. Pharmacognosy
Answer: B
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics involves the processes of absorption, distribution,
metabolism, and excretion of drugs. It focuses on how the drug moves through the body
and changes over time. In contrast, pharmacodynamics refers to what the drug does to the
body.
2. A patient is given an oral medication that undergoes significant metabolism in the liver
before reaching systemic circulation. What is this effect called?
A. First-pass effect
B. Steady state
C. Bioavailability
D. Therapeutic index
,Answer: A
Rationale: The first-pass effect occurs when a drug is metabolized by the liver immediately
after being absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. This process significantly reduces the
amount of active drug that enters the systemic circulation. To compensate for this, oral
doses are often much higher than intravenous doses of the same drug.
3. Which route of administration provides the fastest absorption and 100% bioavailability?
A. Subcutaneous
B. Intravenous
C. Oral
D. Intramuscular
Answer: B
Rationale: Intravenous administration bypasses all barriers to absorption by placing the
drug directly into the bloodstream. This results in immediate onset of action and ensures
that the entire dose is bioavailable. Other routes, such as oral or subcutaneous, require
time for the drug to cross tissues or membranes.
4. A nurse is administering a drug that has a narrow therapeutic index. What should the nurse
prioritize?
A. Encouraging high fluid intake
B. Monitoring blood drug levels closely
, C. Administering the drug on an empty stomach
D. Assessing for allergic reactions only
Answer: B
Rationale: A narrow therapeutic index means there is a very small difference between a
therapeutic dose and a toxic dose. Frequent monitoring of serum drug levels is essential to
prevent toxicity while maintaining efficacy. Nurses must be vigilant for early signs of
adverse effects in these patients.
5. Which drug schedule contains substances with a high potential for abuse and no currently
accepted medical use in the United States?
A. Schedule I
B. Schedule II
C. Schedule III
D. Schedule IV
Answer: A
Rationale: Schedule I drugs are defined as having a high risk for dependency and no
approved medical application. Examples include heroin and LSD. Schedules II through V
have accepted medical uses but varying degrees of abuse potential.
6. What is the primary site of drug excretion in the human body?
A. Liver
