ECPI NUR 138 Pharmacology Exam 1 questions and
answers 2026\2027 A+ Grade
The patient is to receive oral guaifenesin (Mucinex) twice a day. Today, the nurse was busy and gave the
medication 2 hours after the scheduled dose was due. What type of problem does this represent?
A. "Right route"
B. "Right medication"
C. "Right dose"
D. "Right time"
- correct answer D. "Right time"
Rationale: "Right time" is correct because the medication was given more than 30 minutes after the
scheduled dose was due. "Dose" is incorrect because the dose is not related to the time the medication
administration is scheduled. "Route" is incorrect because the route is not affected. "Medication" is
incorrect because the medication ordered will not change.
The nurse is administering parenteral drugs. Which statement is true regarding parenteral drugs?
A. Parenteral drugs bypass the first-pass effect.
B. Absorption of parenteral drugs is affected by reduced blood flow to the stomach.
C. Absorption of parenteral drugs is faster when the stomach is empty.
D. Parenteral drugs exert their effects while circulating in the bloodstream.
- correct answer A. Parenteral drugs bypass the first-pass effect.
Rationale: Drugs given by the parenteral route bypass the first-pass effect. Reduced blood flow to the
stomach and the presence of food in the stomach apply to enteral drugs (taken orally), not to parenteral
drugs. Parenteral drugs must be absorbed into cells and tissues from the circulation before they can
exert their effects: they do not exert their effects while circulating in the bloodstream.
,The nurse is administering medications to the patient who is in renal failure resulting from end-stage
renal disease. The nurse is aware that patients with kidney failure would most likely have problems with
which pharmacokinetic phase?
A. Excretion
B. Absorption
C. Metabolism
D. Distribution
- correct answer A. Excretion
Rationale: The kidneys are the organs that are most responsible for drug excretion. Renal function does
not affect the absorption and distribution of a drug. Renal function may affect metabolism of drugs to a
small extent.
The patient is complaining of a headache and asks the nurse which over-the-counter medication form
would work the fastest to help reduce the pain. Which medication form will the nurse suggest?
A. A tablet
B. A capsule
C. A powder
D. An enteric-coated tablet
- correct answer C. A powder
Rationale: Of the types of oral medications listed, the powder form would be absorbed the fastest, thus
having a faster onset. The tablet, the capsule, and, finally, the enteric-coated tablet would be absorbed
next, in that order.
Which drugs would be affected by the first-pass effect? (Select all that apply.)
A. Sublingual nitroglycerin tablets
B. Levothyroxine (Synthroid) tablets
C. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) elixir
, D. Penicillin given by IV piggyback infusion
E. Morphine given by IV push injection
F. Esomeprazole (Nexium) capsules
G. Transdermal nicotine patches
- correct answer B. Levothyroxine (Synthroid) tablets
C. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) elixir
F. Esomeprazole (Nexium) capsules
For accurate medication administration to pediatric patients, the nurse must take into account which
criteria?
A. Renal output
B. Height
C. Body temperature
D. Organ maturity
- correct answer D. Organ maturity
Rationale: To administer medications to pediatric patients accurately, one must take into account organ
maturity, body surface area, age, and weight. The other options are incorrect: renal output and body
temperature are not considerations, and height alone is not sufficient.
During discharge patient teaching, the nurse reviews prescriptions with a patient. Which statement is
correct about refills for an analgesic that is classified as Schedule C-III?
A. The patient may have no more than five refills in a 6-month period.
B. Refills are allowed only by written prescription.
C. Written prescriptions expire in 12 months.
D. No prescription refills are permitted.
- correct answer A. The patient may have no more than five refills in a 6-month period.
Rationale: Schedule C-III medications may be refilled no more than five times in a 6-month period. The
patient should be informed of this regulation. No prescription refills are permitted for Schedule C-II
answers 2026\2027 A+ Grade
The patient is to receive oral guaifenesin (Mucinex) twice a day. Today, the nurse was busy and gave the
medication 2 hours after the scheduled dose was due. What type of problem does this represent?
A. "Right route"
B. "Right medication"
C. "Right dose"
D. "Right time"
- correct answer D. "Right time"
Rationale: "Right time" is correct because the medication was given more than 30 minutes after the
scheduled dose was due. "Dose" is incorrect because the dose is not related to the time the medication
administration is scheduled. "Route" is incorrect because the route is not affected. "Medication" is
incorrect because the medication ordered will not change.
The nurse is administering parenteral drugs. Which statement is true regarding parenteral drugs?
A. Parenteral drugs bypass the first-pass effect.
B. Absorption of parenteral drugs is affected by reduced blood flow to the stomach.
C. Absorption of parenteral drugs is faster when the stomach is empty.
D. Parenteral drugs exert their effects while circulating in the bloodstream.
- correct answer A. Parenteral drugs bypass the first-pass effect.
Rationale: Drugs given by the parenteral route bypass the first-pass effect. Reduced blood flow to the
stomach and the presence of food in the stomach apply to enteral drugs (taken orally), not to parenteral
drugs. Parenteral drugs must be absorbed into cells and tissues from the circulation before they can
exert their effects: they do not exert their effects while circulating in the bloodstream.
,The nurse is administering medications to the patient who is in renal failure resulting from end-stage
renal disease. The nurse is aware that patients with kidney failure would most likely have problems with
which pharmacokinetic phase?
A. Excretion
B. Absorption
C. Metabolism
D. Distribution
- correct answer A. Excretion
Rationale: The kidneys are the organs that are most responsible for drug excretion. Renal function does
not affect the absorption and distribution of a drug. Renal function may affect metabolism of drugs to a
small extent.
The patient is complaining of a headache and asks the nurse which over-the-counter medication form
would work the fastest to help reduce the pain. Which medication form will the nurse suggest?
A. A tablet
B. A capsule
C. A powder
D. An enteric-coated tablet
- correct answer C. A powder
Rationale: Of the types of oral medications listed, the powder form would be absorbed the fastest, thus
having a faster onset. The tablet, the capsule, and, finally, the enteric-coated tablet would be absorbed
next, in that order.
Which drugs would be affected by the first-pass effect? (Select all that apply.)
A. Sublingual nitroglycerin tablets
B. Levothyroxine (Synthroid) tablets
C. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) elixir
, D. Penicillin given by IV piggyback infusion
E. Morphine given by IV push injection
F. Esomeprazole (Nexium) capsules
G. Transdermal nicotine patches
- correct answer B. Levothyroxine (Synthroid) tablets
C. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) elixir
F. Esomeprazole (Nexium) capsules
For accurate medication administration to pediatric patients, the nurse must take into account which
criteria?
A. Renal output
B. Height
C. Body temperature
D. Organ maturity
- correct answer D. Organ maturity
Rationale: To administer medications to pediatric patients accurately, one must take into account organ
maturity, body surface area, age, and weight. The other options are incorrect: renal output and body
temperature are not considerations, and height alone is not sufficient.
During discharge patient teaching, the nurse reviews prescriptions with a patient. Which statement is
correct about refills for an analgesic that is classified as Schedule C-III?
A. The patient may have no more than five refills in a 6-month period.
B. Refills are allowed only by written prescription.
C. Written prescriptions expire in 12 months.
D. No prescription refills are permitted.
- correct answer A. The patient may have no more than five refills in a 6-month period.
Rationale: Schedule C-III medications may be refilled no more than five times in a 6-month period. The
patient should be informed of this regulation. No prescription refills are permitted for Schedule C-II
