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GALEN NUR 210 EXAM 1 MODULES 1-3
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
Pharmacokinetics - correct-answer - The process in which medications move
through the body
What are the 4 phases of pharmacokinetics? - correct-answer - absorption,
distribution, metabolism, excretion
Absorption - correct-answer - happens with drug movement from the GI tract into
the bloodstream. Most meds are taken by mouth.
Oral absorption - correct-answer - Takes awhile to get absorbed because it has to
go through the GI system
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Usually takes 2-4 hours
•Enteric coated
aspirin - hard on stomach
can not crush pill
•Extended release
absorbed in the small intestine
IM absorption - correct-answer - Absorbed 1-2 hours
IV absorption - correct-answer - Absorbed 30-60 minutes
dissolution - correct-answer - Dissolution happens when a po medication breaks
down into particles, disintegrates, and dissolves to combine with liquid so
absorption from the GI tract into the bloodstream occurs.
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Liquid medications are absorbed faster than solids. Food can interfere with the
absorption of drugs.
Drugs that resist dissolution - correct-answer - Parenteral medications (SL,
eyedrops, inhalants, transdermal) do not pass through the GI tract.
Enteric coated medications are designed to resist disintegration until the pill
reaches the small intestine. EC and sustained release meds should not be crushed.
Factors that affect absorption - correct-answer - •Lack of muscle and increased fat
changes medicine absorption
•Food consumption - will change medicine potency (delayed)
•Stress - Exercise, medicine goes to muscle
•pH - Medicine is made for acidic environments
•Antacid changes absorption
•Taken alone so it doesn't change the action
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Excipients - correct-answer - Fillers and other substances that make up tablets as
a pill is not 100% drug.
Sometimes an excipient enhances the absorption of a drug such as with PCN,
which is not well absorbed from the GI tract.
Adding Na to PCN, which makes it penicillin sodium, will increase the absorption
of PCN
first pass effect - correct-answer - •the oral drugs go to liver via portal vein where
some of the drug becomes inactive
•Only happens with oral medications
delayed gastric emptying - correct-answer - Food doesn't move like it should
Distribution - correct-answer - refers to the movement of the drug from the
circulation to body tissues
GALEN NUR 210 EXAM 1 MODULES 1-3
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
Pharmacokinetics - correct-answer - The process in which medications move
through the body
What are the 4 phases of pharmacokinetics? - correct-answer - absorption,
distribution, metabolism, excretion
Absorption - correct-answer - happens with drug movement from the GI tract into
the bloodstream. Most meds are taken by mouth.
Oral absorption - correct-answer - Takes awhile to get absorbed because it has to
go through the GI system
,2|Page
Usually takes 2-4 hours
•Enteric coated
aspirin - hard on stomach
can not crush pill
•Extended release
absorbed in the small intestine
IM absorption - correct-answer - Absorbed 1-2 hours
IV absorption - correct-answer - Absorbed 30-60 minutes
dissolution - correct-answer - Dissolution happens when a po medication breaks
down into particles, disintegrates, and dissolves to combine with liquid so
absorption from the GI tract into the bloodstream occurs.
,3|Page
Liquid medications are absorbed faster than solids. Food can interfere with the
absorption of drugs.
Drugs that resist dissolution - correct-answer - Parenteral medications (SL,
eyedrops, inhalants, transdermal) do not pass through the GI tract.
Enteric coated medications are designed to resist disintegration until the pill
reaches the small intestine. EC and sustained release meds should not be crushed.
Factors that affect absorption - correct-answer - •Lack of muscle and increased fat
changes medicine absorption
•Food consumption - will change medicine potency (delayed)
•Stress - Exercise, medicine goes to muscle
•pH - Medicine is made for acidic environments
•Antacid changes absorption
•Taken alone so it doesn't change the action
, 4|Page
Excipients - correct-answer - Fillers and other substances that make up tablets as
a pill is not 100% drug.
Sometimes an excipient enhances the absorption of a drug such as with PCN,
which is not well absorbed from the GI tract.
Adding Na to PCN, which makes it penicillin sodium, will increase the absorption
of PCN
first pass effect - correct-answer - •the oral drugs go to liver via portal vein where
some of the drug becomes inactive
•Only happens with oral medications
delayed gastric emptying - correct-answer - Food doesn't move like it should
Distribution - correct-answer - refers to the movement of the drug from the
circulation to body tissues
