ARIZONA COLLEGE OF NURSING NUR 354 PHARMACOLOGY II
EXAM 1 COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW | 100% ANSWERED
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | UPDATED 2026.
Core Domains
Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Principles
Autonomic Nervous System Pharmacology
Central Nervous System Pharmacology (Antiparkinson Agents,
Antiepileptics, Muscle Relaxants)
Hematologic Agents (Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents, Colony-
Stimulating Factors, Iron Supplements)
Shock Management (Vasopressors, Inotropes, Colloids,
Crystalloids)
Oncology Medications and Biologic Response Modifiers
Adrenergic Agonists and Antagonists
Cholinergic Agonists and Antagonists
Patient Education and Safety with High-Alert Medications
Nursing Considerations for Special Populations
Introduction
This comprehensive examination is designed to evaluate the
nursing student's mastery of advanced pharmacologic concepts. It
assesses skills in applying pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic
principles, understanding drug mechanisms of action, and
prioritizing nursing interventions for patients receiving complex
medication regimens. The exam utilizes multiple-choice and
scenario-based questions to simulate real-world clinical challenges.
Emphasis is placed on evidence-based practice, patient safety, and
the integration of pharmacologic knowledge into safe, effective
nursing care.
,Section One: Questions 1-100
Which statement best describes the term "pharmacokinetics"?
A. What the drug does to the body
B. What the body does to the drug
C. The study of drug interactions
D. The study of drug toxicity
🟢 Correct answer B. What the body does to the drug
🔴 RATIONALE: Pharmacokinetics describes what the body does
to a drug, encompassing absorption, distribution, metabolism,
and excretion.
A nurse is teaching a patient about a medication that has a
narrow therapeutic index. What should the nurse emphasize?
A. The drug is safe with no monitoring needed
B. The drug requires close monitoring of blood levels
C. The drug can be taken with any other medication
D. The drug has no side effects
🟢 Correct answer B. The drug requires close monitoring of blood
levels
🔴 RATIONALE: A narrow therapeutic index means the difference
between effective and toxic blood levels is small, requiring close
monitoring.
Which factor would most increase the risk of drug toxicity in an
older adult?
A. Increased gastric motility
B. Decreased renal function
,C. Increased hepatic blood flow
D. Increased lean body mass
🟢 Correct answer B. Decreased renal function
🔴 RATIONALE: Decreased renal function in older adults reduces
drug elimination, increasing the risk of toxicity.
A patient asks why a medication must be taken on an empty
stomach. What is the best response?
A. "It doesn't matter when you take it."
B. "Food can decrease how much of the drug is absorbed."
C. "Food makes the drug more effective."
D. "You should take it with a large meal."
🟢 Correct answer B. "Food can decrease how much of the drug
is absorbed."
🔴 RATIONALE: Food can alter drug absorption by affecting
gastric pH, motility, or binding to the drug.
Which laboratory value is most important to monitor for a patient
receiving a medication that is highly protein-bound?
A. Serum potassium
B. Serum albumin
C. Serum sodium
D. Serum calcium
🟢 Correct answer B. Serum albumin
🔴 RATIONALE: Highly protein-bound drugs require monitoring
of serum albumin, as low albumin levels can increase the free
(active) fraction of the drug, increasing the risk of toxicity.
, A patient is prescribed a beta-2 agonist. What is the primary
therapeutic effect?
A. Vasoconstriction
B. Bronchodilation
C. Decreased heart rate
D. Pupil constriction
🟢 Correct answer B. Bronchodilation
🔴 RATIONALE: Beta-2 agonists cause bronchodilation and are
used for asthma and COPD.
Which medication is a beta-2 agonist used as a rescue inhaler for
asthma?
A. Metoprolol
B. Albuterol
C. Atenolol
D. Propranolol
🟢 Correct answer B. Albuterol
🔴 RATIONALE: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist used as
a rescue bronchodilator.
A patient is prescribed an anticholinergic medication. What
adverse effect should the nurse include in teaching?
A. Diarrhea
B. Dry mouth
C. Bradycardia
D. Miosis
🟢 Correct answer B. Dry mouth
EXAM 1 COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW | 100% ANSWERED
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | UPDATED 2026.
Core Domains
Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Principles
Autonomic Nervous System Pharmacology
Central Nervous System Pharmacology (Antiparkinson Agents,
Antiepileptics, Muscle Relaxants)
Hematologic Agents (Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents, Colony-
Stimulating Factors, Iron Supplements)
Shock Management (Vasopressors, Inotropes, Colloids,
Crystalloids)
Oncology Medications and Biologic Response Modifiers
Adrenergic Agonists and Antagonists
Cholinergic Agonists and Antagonists
Patient Education and Safety with High-Alert Medications
Nursing Considerations for Special Populations
Introduction
This comprehensive examination is designed to evaluate the
nursing student's mastery of advanced pharmacologic concepts. It
assesses skills in applying pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic
principles, understanding drug mechanisms of action, and
prioritizing nursing interventions for patients receiving complex
medication regimens. The exam utilizes multiple-choice and
scenario-based questions to simulate real-world clinical challenges.
Emphasis is placed on evidence-based practice, patient safety, and
the integration of pharmacologic knowledge into safe, effective
nursing care.
,Section One: Questions 1-100
Which statement best describes the term "pharmacokinetics"?
A. What the drug does to the body
B. What the body does to the drug
C. The study of drug interactions
D. The study of drug toxicity
🟢 Correct answer B. What the body does to the drug
🔴 RATIONALE: Pharmacokinetics describes what the body does
to a drug, encompassing absorption, distribution, metabolism,
and excretion.
A nurse is teaching a patient about a medication that has a
narrow therapeutic index. What should the nurse emphasize?
A. The drug is safe with no monitoring needed
B. The drug requires close monitoring of blood levels
C. The drug can be taken with any other medication
D. The drug has no side effects
🟢 Correct answer B. The drug requires close monitoring of blood
levels
🔴 RATIONALE: A narrow therapeutic index means the difference
between effective and toxic blood levels is small, requiring close
monitoring.
Which factor would most increase the risk of drug toxicity in an
older adult?
A. Increased gastric motility
B. Decreased renal function
,C. Increased hepatic blood flow
D. Increased lean body mass
🟢 Correct answer B. Decreased renal function
🔴 RATIONALE: Decreased renal function in older adults reduces
drug elimination, increasing the risk of toxicity.
A patient asks why a medication must be taken on an empty
stomach. What is the best response?
A. "It doesn't matter when you take it."
B. "Food can decrease how much of the drug is absorbed."
C. "Food makes the drug more effective."
D. "You should take it with a large meal."
🟢 Correct answer B. "Food can decrease how much of the drug
is absorbed."
🔴 RATIONALE: Food can alter drug absorption by affecting
gastric pH, motility, or binding to the drug.
Which laboratory value is most important to monitor for a patient
receiving a medication that is highly protein-bound?
A. Serum potassium
B. Serum albumin
C. Serum sodium
D. Serum calcium
🟢 Correct answer B. Serum albumin
🔴 RATIONALE: Highly protein-bound drugs require monitoring
of serum albumin, as low albumin levels can increase the free
(active) fraction of the drug, increasing the risk of toxicity.
, A patient is prescribed a beta-2 agonist. What is the primary
therapeutic effect?
A. Vasoconstriction
B. Bronchodilation
C. Decreased heart rate
D. Pupil constriction
🟢 Correct answer B. Bronchodilation
🔴 RATIONALE: Beta-2 agonists cause bronchodilation and are
used for asthma and COPD.
Which medication is a beta-2 agonist used as a rescue inhaler for
asthma?
A. Metoprolol
B. Albuterol
C. Atenolol
D. Propranolol
🟢 Correct answer B. Albuterol
🔴 RATIONALE: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist used as
a rescue bronchodilator.
A patient is prescribed an anticholinergic medication. What
adverse effect should the nurse include in teaching?
A. Diarrhea
B. Dry mouth
C. Bradycardia
D. Miosis
🟢 Correct answer B. Dry mouth
