NURS 251 Module 2 Exam – Pharmacology 2026 UPDATE
1. What is the primary organ responsible for drug metabolism?
A. Kidneys
B. Liver
C. Lungs
D. Small Intestine
Answer: B
Rationale: The liver is the primary site for drug metabolism via the cytochrome P450
enzyme system.
2. A drug that binds to a receptor and triggers a response is known as a(n):
A. Antagonist
B. Enzyme inhibitor
C. Partial Antagonist
D. Agonist
Answer: D
Rationale: An agonist is a drug that binds to a receptor and produces a functional
response.
,3. Which route of administration is most affected by the first-pass effect?
A. Oral
B. Sublingual
C. Intravenous
D. Intramuscular
Answer: A
Rationale: Oral drugs pass through the liver via the portal vein before reaching systemic
circulation, undergoing significant metabolism.
4. If a drug is highly protein-bound, what happens to the free drug concentration if the
patient has low albumin levels?
A. Decreases
B. Stays the same
C. Becomes inactive
D. Increases
Answer: D
Rationale: Low albumin means fewer binding sites, leading to more free (active) drug in
the bloodstream, increasing toxicity risk.
5. What does the term half-life of a drug refer to?
A. Time for 50% of the drug to be eliminated from the body
, B. Time to reach peak concentration
C. Time for the drug to start working
D. Duration of the drug’s effect
Answer: A
Rationale: Half-life is the time required for the amount of drug in the body to decrease by
50%.
6. Which pregnancy category indicates that the drug is strictly contraindicated in pregnant
women?
A. Category X
B. Category B
C. Category C
D. Category A
Answer: A
Rationale: Category X drugs have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and the risks clearly
outweigh any possible benefits.
7. Which neurotransmitter is primary to the Parasympathetic Nervous System?
A. Norepinephrine
B. Epinephrine
1. What is the primary organ responsible for drug metabolism?
A. Kidneys
B. Liver
C. Lungs
D. Small Intestine
Answer: B
Rationale: The liver is the primary site for drug metabolism via the cytochrome P450
enzyme system.
2. A drug that binds to a receptor and triggers a response is known as a(n):
A. Antagonist
B. Enzyme inhibitor
C. Partial Antagonist
D. Agonist
Answer: D
Rationale: An agonist is a drug that binds to a receptor and produces a functional
response.
,3. Which route of administration is most affected by the first-pass effect?
A. Oral
B. Sublingual
C. Intravenous
D. Intramuscular
Answer: A
Rationale: Oral drugs pass through the liver via the portal vein before reaching systemic
circulation, undergoing significant metabolism.
4. If a drug is highly protein-bound, what happens to the free drug concentration if the
patient has low albumin levels?
A. Decreases
B. Stays the same
C. Becomes inactive
D. Increases
Answer: D
Rationale: Low albumin means fewer binding sites, leading to more free (active) drug in
the bloodstream, increasing toxicity risk.
5. What does the term half-life of a drug refer to?
A. Time for 50% of the drug to be eliminated from the body
, B. Time to reach peak concentration
C. Time for the drug to start working
D. Duration of the drug’s effect
Answer: A
Rationale: Half-life is the time required for the amount of drug in the body to decrease by
50%.
6. Which pregnancy category indicates that the drug is strictly contraindicated in pregnant
women?
A. Category X
B. Category B
C. Category C
D. Category A
Answer: A
Rationale: Category X drugs have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and the risks clearly
outweigh any possible benefits.
7. Which neurotransmitter is primary to the Parasympathetic Nervous System?
A. Norepinephrine
B. Epinephrine
