NUR 210 Exam 2 V3 | NUR 210 Principles
of Pharmacology | Q&A with Rationale
(NUR210 Exam 2) | Galen College of
Nursing
1. Which phase of pharmacokinetics involves the movement of a drug from the
administration site into the bloodstream?
• A) Distribution
• B) Metabolism
• C) Absorption
• D) Excretion
Answer: C
Rationale: Absorption is the process by which a drug moves from the site of
administration into the bloodstream. Distribution is the transport of the drug
throughout the body. Metabolism (biotransformation) converts the drug to a more
water-soluble form for excretion. Excretion is the removal of the drug from the
body.
2. A medication with a high first-pass effect would have which characteristic?
• A) High oral bioavailability
• B) Significant metabolism by the liver before reaching systemic circulation
• C) Rapid renal excretion
• D) High protein binding
,Answer: B
Rationale: The first-pass effect refers to the metabolism of a drug by the liver after
oral administration but before it reaches systemic circulation. Drugs with a high
first-pass effect have reduced bioavailability and may require higher oral doses or
alternative routes of administration.
3. A drug that is 95% protein-bound will have which of the following
characteristics?
• A) A longer duration of action
• B) A shorter duration of action
• C) Increased renal excretion
• D) Decreased potency
Answer: A
Rationale: Drugs that are highly protein-bound remain in the bloodstream bound to
plasma proteins (primarily albumin) and are pharmacologically inactive. Only
the unbound (free) fraction is active. This results in a longer duration of
action because the bound drug is slowly released. However, protein binding can be
affected by conditions such as malnutrition, liver disease, or competition with other
highly protein-bound drugs.
4. The primary site of drug metabolism is the:
• A) Kidney
• B) Liver
, • C) Lungs
• D) Skin
Answer: B
Rationale: The liver is the primary site of drug metabolism (biotransformation). The
liver contains the cytochrome P-450 enzyme system, which metabolizes drugs into
more water-soluble metabolites for excretion. The kidneys are the primary site of
excretion, while the lungs and skin play minor roles in drug elimination.
5. Which route of administration has the fastest onset of action?
• A) Oral
• B) Subcutaneous
• C) Intravenous (IV)
• D) Intramuscular (IM)
Answer: C
Rationale: Intravenous (IV) administration delivers the drug directly into the
bloodstream, resulting in 100% bioavailability and the fastest onset of action.
Oral administration requires absorption through the GI tract, which is slower and
subject to first-pass metabolism. Subcutaneous and intramuscular routes are
faster than oral but slower than IV.
6. The half-life (t½) of a drug is defined as:
• A) The time required for the drug to reach peak plasma concentration
, • B) The time required for the drug concentration to decrease by 50%
• C) The time required for the drug to be completely eliminated from the body
• D) The time between drug administration and the onset of action
Answer: B
Rationale: The half-life (t½) is the time required for the plasma concentration of a
drug to decrease by 50%. It is a measure of how quickly a drug is eliminated from
the body. Approximately five half-lives are required for a drug to be considered
completely eliminated from the body.
7. A patient with hepatic impairment would be at greatest risk for which
pharmacokinetic alteration?
• A) Reduced drug absorption
• B) Reduced drug distribution
• C) Reduced drug metabolism
• D) Reduced drug excretion
Answer: C
Rationale: Patients with hepatic impairment have reduced liver function, which
impairs drug metabolism. This can lead to drug accumulation and increased risk of
toxicity. Dosage adjustments may be required for hepatically metabolized
medications.
8. The therapeutic index (TI) is:
of Pharmacology | Q&A with Rationale
(NUR210 Exam 2) | Galen College of
Nursing
1. Which phase of pharmacokinetics involves the movement of a drug from the
administration site into the bloodstream?
• A) Distribution
• B) Metabolism
• C) Absorption
• D) Excretion
Answer: C
Rationale: Absorption is the process by which a drug moves from the site of
administration into the bloodstream. Distribution is the transport of the drug
throughout the body. Metabolism (biotransformation) converts the drug to a more
water-soluble form for excretion. Excretion is the removal of the drug from the
body.
2. A medication with a high first-pass effect would have which characteristic?
• A) High oral bioavailability
• B) Significant metabolism by the liver before reaching systemic circulation
• C) Rapid renal excretion
• D) High protein binding
,Answer: B
Rationale: The first-pass effect refers to the metabolism of a drug by the liver after
oral administration but before it reaches systemic circulation. Drugs with a high
first-pass effect have reduced bioavailability and may require higher oral doses or
alternative routes of administration.
3. A drug that is 95% protein-bound will have which of the following
characteristics?
• A) A longer duration of action
• B) A shorter duration of action
• C) Increased renal excretion
• D) Decreased potency
Answer: A
Rationale: Drugs that are highly protein-bound remain in the bloodstream bound to
plasma proteins (primarily albumin) and are pharmacologically inactive. Only
the unbound (free) fraction is active. This results in a longer duration of
action because the bound drug is slowly released. However, protein binding can be
affected by conditions such as malnutrition, liver disease, or competition with other
highly protein-bound drugs.
4. The primary site of drug metabolism is the:
• A) Kidney
• B) Liver
, • C) Lungs
• D) Skin
Answer: B
Rationale: The liver is the primary site of drug metabolism (biotransformation). The
liver contains the cytochrome P-450 enzyme system, which metabolizes drugs into
more water-soluble metabolites for excretion. The kidneys are the primary site of
excretion, while the lungs and skin play minor roles in drug elimination.
5. Which route of administration has the fastest onset of action?
• A) Oral
• B) Subcutaneous
• C) Intravenous (IV)
• D) Intramuscular (IM)
Answer: C
Rationale: Intravenous (IV) administration delivers the drug directly into the
bloodstream, resulting in 100% bioavailability and the fastest onset of action.
Oral administration requires absorption through the GI tract, which is slower and
subject to first-pass metabolism. Subcutaneous and intramuscular routes are
faster than oral but slower than IV.
6. The half-life (t½) of a drug is defined as:
• A) The time required for the drug to reach peak plasma concentration
, • B) The time required for the drug concentration to decrease by 50%
• C) The time required for the drug to be completely eliminated from the body
• D) The time between drug administration and the onset of action
Answer: B
Rationale: The half-life (t½) is the time required for the plasma concentration of a
drug to decrease by 50%. It is a measure of how quickly a drug is eliminated from
the body. Approximately five half-lives are required for a drug to be considered
completely eliminated from the body.
7. A patient with hepatic impairment would be at greatest risk for which
pharmacokinetic alteration?
• A) Reduced drug absorption
• B) Reduced drug distribution
• C) Reduced drug metabolism
• D) Reduced drug excretion
Answer: C
Rationale: Patients with hepatic impairment have reduced liver function, which
impairs drug metabolism. This can lead to drug accumulation and increased risk of
toxicity. Dosage adjustments may be required for hepatically metabolized
medications.
8. The therapeutic index (TI) is:
