2470 Introductory
Pharmacology for Nurses
Final Exam Review
(Questions & Solutions)
2025
1
, 1. Multiple Choice
Question:
A 65-year-old patient with hypertension is started on lisinopril. Which
pharmacologic effect of lisinopril is most directly responsible for lowering
blood pressure?
- A. Inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme
- B. Blockade of beta-adrenergic receptors
- C. Activation of calcium channels
- D. Stimulation of aldosterone release
Correct ANS:
A. Inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme
Rationale:
Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, decreases the conversion of angiotensin I to
angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor. This leads to vasodilation and
reduced aldosterone secretion, thereby lowering blood pressure. Nurses
must understand this mechanism to monitor for hypotension and renal
effects.
---
2. Fill-in-the-Blank
Question:
The four key processes that determine a drug’s fate in the body are
collectively known as __________.
Correct ANS:
pharmacokinetics
Rationale:
Pharmacokinetics includes absorption, distribution, metabolism, and
2
,excretion. These processes are fundamental for understanding how
medications reach their target sites and are eliminated, guiding
appropriate dosing and monitoring.
---
3. True/False
Question:
True or False: A drug’s half-life is the time required for its plasma
concentration to decrease by 50% and is critical in determining dosing
frequency.
Correct ANS:
True
Rationale:
The half-life helps clinicians estimate how long a drug remains active in
the body. Drugs with shorter half-lives may require more frequent dosing
to maintain therapeutic levels; thus, understanding half-life is key to safe
scheduling.
---
4. Multiple Response
Question:
Select all factors that can affect the bioavailability of a medication given
orally:
- A. Gastrointestinal pH
- B. First-pass metabolism
- C. Drug solubility
- D. Intramuscular injection technique
- E. Food intake
Correct ANSs:
A, B, C, E
3
, Rationale:
Oral bioavailability is influenced by the gastrointestinal environment (pH,
motility), first-pass hepatic metabolism, the physicochemical property of
the drug (solubility, stability), and whether food alters absorption.
Injection technique is not relevant for oral bioavailability.
---
5. Multiple Choice
Question:
A nurse is reviewing the actions of beta-blockers for a patient with
tachycardia and hypertension. Which of the following best describes the
primary mechanism of action for these drugs?
- A. Blocking beta-adrenergic receptors
- B. Inhibiting angiotensin II receptors
- C. Stimulating parasympathetic activity
- D. Inhibiting calcium influx in vascular smooth muscle
Correct ANS:
A. Blocking beta-adrenergic receptors
Rationale:
Beta-blockers competitively block beta receptors on the heart and blood
vessels, reducing heart rate, cardiac output, and blood pressure. This
understanding is essential for monitoring adverse effects like bradycardia
and hypotension.
---
6. Fill-in-the-Blank
Question:
When converting a dose from micrograms (mcg) to milligrams (mg), the
nurse divides by __________.
4
Pharmacology for Nurses
Final Exam Review
(Questions & Solutions)
2025
1
, 1. Multiple Choice
Question:
A 65-year-old patient with hypertension is started on lisinopril. Which
pharmacologic effect of lisinopril is most directly responsible for lowering
blood pressure?
- A. Inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme
- B. Blockade of beta-adrenergic receptors
- C. Activation of calcium channels
- D. Stimulation of aldosterone release
Correct ANS:
A. Inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme
Rationale:
Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, decreases the conversion of angiotensin I to
angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor. This leads to vasodilation and
reduced aldosterone secretion, thereby lowering blood pressure. Nurses
must understand this mechanism to monitor for hypotension and renal
effects.
---
2. Fill-in-the-Blank
Question:
The four key processes that determine a drug’s fate in the body are
collectively known as __________.
Correct ANS:
pharmacokinetics
Rationale:
Pharmacokinetics includes absorption, distribution, metabolism, and
2
,excretion. These processes are fundamental for understanding how
medications reach their target sites and are eliminated, guiding
appropriate dosing and monitoring.
---
3. True/False
Question:
True or False: A drug’s half-life is the time required for its plasma
concentration to decrease by 50% and is critical in determining dosing
frequency.
Correct ANS:
True
Rationale:
The half-life helps clinicians estimate how long a drug remains active in
the body. Drugs with shorter half-lives may require more frequent dosing
to maintain therapeutic levels; thus, understanding half-life is key to safe
scheduling.
---
4. Multiple Response
Question:
Select all factors that can affect the bioavailability of a medication given
orally:
- A. Gastrointestinal pH
- B. First-pass metabolism
- C. Drug solubility
- D. Intramuscular injection technique
- E. Food intake
Correct ANSs:
A, B, C, E
3
, Rationale:
Oral bioavailability is influenced by the gastrointestinal environment (pH,
motility), first-pass hepatic metabolism, the physicochemical property of
the drug (solubility, stability), and whether food alters absorption.
Injection technique is not relevant for oral bioavailability.
---
5. Multiple Choice
Question:
A nurse is reviewing the actions of beta-blockers for a patient with
tachycardia and hypertension. Which of the following best describes the
primary mechanism of action for these drugs?
- A. Blocking beta-adrenergic receptors
- B. Inhibiting angiotensin II receptors
- C. Stimulating parasympathetic activity
- D. Inhibiting calcium influx in vascular smooth muscle
Correct ANS:
A. Blocking beta-adrenergic receptors
Rationale:
Beta-blockers competitively block beta receptors on the heart and blood
vessels, reducing heart rate, cardiac output, and blood pressure. This
understanding is essential for monitoring adverse effects like bradycardia
and hypotension.
---
6. Fill-in-the-Blank
Question:
When converting a dose from micrograms (mcg) to milligrams (mg), the
nurse divides by __________.
4
