19TH EDITION BY MICHELLE J. WILLIHNGANZ |ALL CHAPTERS |
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES NEWEST VERSION
,Chapter 1 – Orientation to Pharmacology
Q1. The study of drugs and their actions on living organisms is known as:
A. Toxicology
B. Pharmacology ✅
C. Physiology
D. Pathology
Rationale: Pharmacology is the science dealing with drug effects on biological
systems.
Q2. Which U.S. agency enforces drug laws and controls narcotics distribution?
A. FDA
B. DEA ✅
C. CDC
D. NIH
Rationale: The Drug Enforcement Administration regulates controlled substances.
Q3. Drugs with high abuse potential and accepted medical use (e.g., morphine)
belong to:
A. Schedule I
B. Schedule II ✅
C. Schedule III
D. Schedule IV
Rationale: Schedule II drugs have therapeutic use but high abuse risk.
Q4. The nurse identifies the drug’s generic name as:
A. Tylenol
B. Acetaminophen ✅
C. Paracetamol
D. Panadol
Rationale: The generic name is the nonproprietary, universally accepted name.
Q5. A patient states, “I only take natural herbs, not drugs.” The nurse’s best
response is:
A. “Herbal products are not medications.”
B. “Herbal products can interact with prescribed drugs.” ✅
,C. “You don’t need to tell me about them.”
D. “They are completely safe.”
Rationale: Herbs can alter the effects of prescribed medications.
Q6. Which reference provides the most reliable nursing information about drugs?
A. Drug company advertisements
B. Nursing drug handbook ✅
C. Internet chat groups
D. TV commercials
Rationale: Nursing drug handbooks include nursing implications and safe dosage
guidelines.
Q7. Which factor primarily influences a drug’s classification?
A. Route of administration
B. Body weight
C. Chemical structure and therapeutic use ✅
D. Manufacturer
Rationale: Drugs are classified by chemical makeup and therapeutic action.
Q8. The therapeutic effect of a drug is best defined as:
A. Expected physiological response ✅
B. Any undesired reaction
C. A toxic response
D. Allergic reaction
Rationale: The desired, beneficial response is the therapeutic effect.
Q9. The nurse explains to a student that pharmacokinetics involves:
A. Drug action on the body
B. The body’s effect on the drug ✅
C. Genetic variations in drug response
D. Adverse reaction reporting
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics covers absorption, distribution, metabolism, and
excretion.
Q10. The onset of action refers to:
A. Time to reach highest blood level
B. Time from administration to first effect ✅
, C. Duration of drug effect
D. Rate of elimination
Rationale: Onset = time until the medication starts to act.
Q11. The nurse knows that a drug ordered as “PRN” means:
A. Give once daily
B. Give as needed ✅
C. Give immediately
D. Give after meals
Rationale: PRN = pro re nata (“as needed”).
Q12. The main purpose of the Controlled Substances Act is to:
A. Promote over-the-counter sales
B. Regulate drug testing
C. Prevent misuse of addictive drugs ✅
D. Control medication prices
Rationale: It classifies and restricts controlled substances.
Q13. The FDA ensures:
A. Drug affordability
B. Drug safety and effectiveness ✅
C. Free importation
D. Generic marketing
Rationale: The Food and Drug Administration evaluates drug efficacy and safety.
Q14. Which term describes the time required for a drug level to decrease by half?
A. Onset
B. Half-life ✅
C. Duration
D. Plateau
Rationale: Half-life measures the elimination rate.
Q15. The nurse identifies that a prototype drug:
A. Is obsolete
B. Represents a class of drugs ✅
C. Has the shortest half-life