PRN 1381/PRN1381 Exam 1 V2 | Principles
of Pharmacology Q&A with Rationale |
Rasmussen University
1. Which term describes the study of how a drug moves through the body, including
absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion?
A. Pharmacokinetics
B. Pharmacodynamics
C. Pharmacotherapeutics
D. Pharmacogenomics
Answer: A
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics specifically refers to the movement of drugs within the body
over a period of time. This process includes the four distinct phases of absorption,
distribution, metabolism, and excretion. Understanding these phases is essential for nurses
to predict the onset and duration of drug action.
2. When an oral medication is metabolized by the liver before it reaches the systemic
circulation, this is known as:
A. Bioavailability
B. The first-pass effect
C. Enzyme induction
,D. Biliary excretion
Answer: B
Rationale: The first-pass effect occurs when drugs absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract
pass through the portal vein into the liver. The liver then metabolizes a large portion of the
drug before it can enter the general bloodstream. This is why oral doses of certain drugs
are often higher than their intravenous counterparts.
3. A drug with a high potential for abuse but currently accepted medical use in the United
States is classified under which schedule?
A. Schedule II
B. Schedule I
C. Schedule III
D. Schedule IV
Answer: A
Rationale: Schedule II drugs have a high potential for abuse which may lead to severe
psychological or physical dependence. Unlike Schedule I drugs, they have currently
accepted medical uses in treatment. Examples of Schedule II drugs include morphine,
fentanyl, and oxycodone.
4. Which process is primary for drug excretion in the human body?
A. Renal filtration
, B. Biliary secretion
C. Pulmonary exhalation
D. Sweat gland secretion
Answer: A
Rationale: The kidneys are the primary organs responsible for the excretion of drugs from
the body through renal filtration. If a patient has impaired renal function, the drug’s half-
life may be prolonged, leading to potential toxicity. Nurses must monitor creatinine and
BUN levels to assess the safety of drug administration.
5. Which term refers to the time it takes for one-half of the original amount of a drug to be
removed from the body?
A. Onset of action
B. Half-life
C. Peak level
D. Trough level
Answer: B
Rationale: The half-life of a drug is a measure of the rate at which it is eliminated from the
systemic circulation. It represents the time required for the serum concentration of a drug
to decrease by 50 percent. This value is critical for determining how frequently a
medication needs to be dosed.
of Pharmacology Q&A with Rationale |
Rasmussen University
1. Which term describes the study of how a drug moves through the body, including
absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion?
A. Pharmacokinetics
B. Pharmacodynamics
C. Pharmacotherapeutics
D. Pharmacogenomics
Answer: A
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics specifically refers to the movement of drugs within the body
over a period of time. This process includes the four distinct phases of absorption,
distribution, metabolism, and excretion. Understanding these phases is essential for nurses
to predict the onset and duration of drug action.
2. When an oral medication is metabolized by the liver before it reaches the systemic
circulation, this is known as:
A. Bioavailability
B. The first-pass effect
C. Enzyme induction
,D. Biliary excretion
Answer: B
Rationale: The first-pass effect occurs when drugs absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract
pass through the portal vein into the liver. The liver then metabolizes a large portion of the
drug before it can enter the general bloodstream. This is why oral doses of certain drugs
are often higher than their intravenous counterparts.
3. A drug with a high potential for abuse but currently accepted medical use in the United
States is classified under which schedule?
A. Schedule II
B. Schedule I
C. Schedule III
D. Schedule IV
Answer: A
Rationale: Schedule II drugs have a high potential for abuse which may lead to severe
psychological or physical dependence. Unlike Schedule I drugs, they have currently
accepted medical uses in treatment. Examples of Schedule II drugs include morphine,
fentanyl, and oxycodone.
4. Which process is primary for drug excretion in the human body?
A. Renal filtration
, B. Biliary secretion
C. Pulmonary exhalation
D. Sweat gland secretion
Answer: A
Rationale: The kidneys are the primary organs responsible for the excretion of drugs from
the body through renal filtration. If a patient has impaired renal function, the drug’s half-
life may be prolonged, leading to potential toxicity. Nurses must monitor creatinine and
BUN levels to assess the safety of drug administration.
5. Which term refers to the time it takes for one-half of the original amount of a drug to be
removed from the body?
A. Onset of action
B. Half-life
C. Peak level
D. Trough level
Answer: B
Rationale: The half-life of a drug is a measure of the rate at which it is eliminated from the
systemic circulation. It represents the time required for the serum concentration of a drug
to decrease by 50 percent. This value is critical for determining how frequently a
medication needs to be dosed.
