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WEST COAST UNIVERSITY NURS 350 –
PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND RATIONALES
2026/27 JUST RELEASED
Covers Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, Drug Classifications,
Adverse Effects, Contraindications, Drug Interactions, Nursing
Implications, and Patient Education
QUESTION 1
A patient is prescribed a medication that is highly protein-bound. The
nurse understands that this medication will have which characteristic?
A) Rapid elimination from the body
B) Low bioavailability
C) A small volume of distribution
D) A long duration of action
Verified Answer: D
Rationale: Highly protein-bound medications have a longer duration of
action because only the unbound (free) fraction is pharmacologically
active and available for metabolism and excretion. The bound fraction
acts as a reservoir, slowly releasing the drug over time.
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QUESTION 2
A patient with liver cirrhosis is prescribed a medication that is
extensively metabolized by the liver. Which pharmacokinetic phase
would most likely be affected?
A) Absorption
B) Distribution
C) Metabolism
D) Excretion
Verified Answer: C
Rationale: The liver is the primary site of drug metabolism. Liver
cirrhosis impairs this process, leading to drug accumulation and
increased risk of toxicity. The drug dosage may need to be reduced.
QUESTION 3
A patient is receiving an intravenous medication. The nurse understands
that the bioavailability of an IV medication is:
A) 50 percent
B) 80 percent
C) 90 percent
D) 100 percent
Verified Answer: D
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Rationale: Intravenous medications have 100 percent bioavailability
because they are directly delivered into the systemic circulation,
bypassing the gastrointestinal tract and first-pass metabolism.
QUESTION 4
A patient is prescribed digoxin. Which finding would indicate digoxin
toxicity?
A) Heart rate of 72 bpm
B) Blurred vision with yellow-green halos
C) Blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg
D) Respiratory rate of 16 breaths per minute
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: Visual disturbances (blurred vision, yellow-green halos) are
classic signs of digoxin toxicity. Other signs include nausea, vomiting,
bradycardia, and cardiac arrhythmias. The therapeutic range is narrow.
QUESTION 5
A patient is prescribed warfarin. Which laboratory value is used to
monitor the therapeutic effect of this medication?
A) aPTT
B) INR
C) Platelet count
D) Bleeding time
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Verified Answer: B
Rationale: Warfarin is monitored by PT and INR. The target INR
depends on the indication (e.g., 2.0-3.0 for atrial fibrillation). aPTT
monitors heparin. Platelet count monitors for thrombocytopenia.
QUESTION 6
A patient is receiving heparin therapy. Which laboratory value should be
monitored to assess therapeutic effectiveness?
A) PT/INR
B) aPTT
C) Platelet count
D) D-dimer
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: Heparin is monitored by aPTT, with a target of 1.5-2.5 times
the normal control value. Platelet count is monitored for heparin-induced
thrombocytopenia.
QUESTION 7
Which medication is the antidote for warfarin overdose?
A) Protamine sulfate
B) Vitamin K
C) Naloxone
D) Flumazenil
WEST COAST UNIVERSITY NURS 350 –
PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND RATIONALES
2026/27 JUST RELEASED
Covers Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, Drug Classifications,
Adverse Effects, Contraindications, Drug Interactions, Nursing
Implications, and Patient Education
QUESTION 1
A patient is prescribed a medication that is highly protein-bound. The
nurse understands that this medication will have which characteristic?
A) Rapid elimination from the body
B) Low bioavailability
C) A small volume of distribution
D) A long duration of action
Verified Answer: D
Rationale: Highly protein-bound medications have a longer duration of
action because only the unbound (free) fraction is pharmacologically
active and available for metabolism and excretion. The bound fraction
acts as a reservoir, slowly releasing the drug over time.
,2 | Page
QUESTION 2
A patient with liver cirrhosis is prescribed a medication that is
extensively metabolized by the liver. Which pharmacokinetic phase
would most likely be affected?
A) Absorption
B) Distribution
C) Metabolism
D) Excretion
Verified Answer: C
Rationale: The liver is the primary site of drug metabolism. Liver
cirrhosis impairs this process, leading to drug accumulation and
increased risk of toxicity. The drug dosage may need to be reduced.
QUESTION 3
A patient is receiving an intravenous medication. The nurse understands
that the bioavailability of an IV medication is:
A) 50 percent
B) 80 percent
C) 90 percent
D) 100 percent
Verified Answer: D
,3 | Page
Rationale: Intravenous medications have 100 percent bioavailability
because they are directly delivered into the systemic circulation,
bypassing the gastrointestinal tract and first-pass metabolism.
QUESTION 4
A patient is prescribed digoxin. Which finding would indicate digoxin
toxicity?
A) Heart rate of 72 bpm
B) Blurred vision with yellow-green halos
C) Blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg
D) Respiratory rate of 16 breaths per minute
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: Visual disturbances (blurred vision, yellow-green halos) are
classic signs of digoxin toxicity. Other signs include nausea, vomiting,
bradycardia, and cardiac arrhythmias. The therapeutic range is narrow.
QUESTION 5
A patient is prescribed warfarin. Which laboratory value is used to
monitor the therapeutic effect of this medication?
A) aPTT
B) INR
C) Platelet count
D) Bleeding time
, 4 | Page
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: Warfarin is monitored by PT and INR. The target INR
depends on the indication (e.g., 2.0-3.0 for atrial fibrillation). aPTT
monitors heparin. Platelet count monitors for thrombocytopenia.
QUESTION 6
A patient is receiving heparin therapy. Which laboratory value should be
monitored to assess therapeutic effectiveness?
A) PT/INR
B) aPTT
C) Platelet count
D) D-dimer
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: Heparin is monitored by aPTT, with a target of 1.5-2.5 times
the normal control value. Platelet count is monitored for heparin-induced
thrombocytopenia.
QUESTION 7
Which medication is the antidote for warfarin overdose?
A) Protamine sulfate
B) Vitamin K
C) Naloxone
D) Flumazenil
