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Chamberlain University-Illinois
NR 222
Pharm- BrainShark Concept Review, Brain
Dump- Exam 1 Questions and Answers 2026
Latest Update
Therapeutic Index (TI) Ans: Narrow TI: Small difference between
therapeutic and toxic levels (requires close monitoring).
Wide TI: Larger difference between therapeutic and toxic levels (safer range).
IV (Intravenous) Ans: Ensure patient safety; for opioids, instruct the patient
not to get out of bed without assistance.
Oral (PO) Ans: Know whether the medication should be taken with food or
on an empty stomach.
For daily medications, ensure patient adherence.
Not as fast acting as IV meds due to first pass effect
Transdermal Patch Ans: Rotate sites to prevent skin irritation.
Place on dry, preferably hairless skin
Assessment Ans: Before administering medication, assess patient-specific
factors like vitals, allergies, and contraindications.
Planning/Implementation Ans: Perform the three checks and follow the six
rights (right drug, dose, time, route, patient, documentation). Verify
medication with the pharmacy before administration.
Evaluation Ans: Assess the patient's response to the medication to ensure
therapeutic effectiveness and check for adverse effects.
Timing Ans: Most medications can be administered 30 minutes before or
after the scheduled time.
© 2026 All rights reserved
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Stat meds must be given within 30 minutes of verification by pharmacy.
Drug Trials Ans: Most trials are conducted on adults.
Pediatric drug trials take longer and are less common.
Consider age-related pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution,
metabolism, excretion).
State Board of Nursing Ans: Report medication errors resulting in injury.
Enforces nursing practice acts and protects public safety.
Patient Education in Pharmacology Ans: Teaching Environment: Ensure the
environment is conducive to learning (quiet, comfortable).
Assess Readiness: Ensure the patient is physically and mentally ready to
learn (pain-free, alert).
Tailor Education: Provide information at the patient's reading level.
Content to Include Ans: Medication name, dose, how it works, possible side
effects, interactions, and reversal agents if applicable. Special instructions,
such as storage (e.g., refrigeration).
Absorption Ans: The process of the drug entering the body.
Metabolism Ans: Mainly occurs in the liver.
First-pass effect (Oral meds only): A significant amount of the drug is
metabolized by the liver before reaching circulation, requiring higher doses
for effect.
Prodrugs: Inactive when administered and only become active after being
metabolized.
Age-related changes: Elderly patients may metabolize drugs slower,
requiring dose adjustments.
Distribution Ans: The movement of drugs throughout the body.
Affected by conditions such as cardiovascular disease (e.g., peripheral
arterial or vascular disease).
© 2026 All rights reserved
Chamberlain University-Illinois
NR 222
Pharm- BrainShark Concept Review, Brain
Dump- Exam 1 Questions and Answers 2026
Latest Update
Therapeutic Index (TI) Ans: Narrow TI: Small difference between
therapeutic and toxic levels (requires close monitoring).
Wide TI: Larger difference between therapeutic and toxic levels (safer range).
IV (Intravenous) Ans: Ensure patient safety; for opioids, instruct the patient
not to get out of bed without assistance.
Oral (PO) Ans: Know whether the medication should be taken with food or
on an empty stomach.
For daily medications, ensure patient adherence.
Not as fast acting as IV meds due to first pass effect
Transdermal Patch Ans: Rotate sites to prevent skin irritation.
Place on dry, preferably hairless skin
Assessment Ans: Before administering medication, assess patient-specific
factors like vitals, allergies, and contraindications.
Planning/Implementation Ans: Perform the three checks and follow the six
rights (right drug, dose, time, route, patient, documentation). Verify
medication with the pharmacy before administration.
Evaluation Ans: Assess the patient's response to the medication to ensure
therapeutic effectiveness and check for adverse effects.
Timing Ans: Most medications can be administered 30 minutes before or
after the scheduled time.
© 2026 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
Stat meds must be given within 30 minutes of verification by pharmacy.
Drug Trials Ans: Most trials are conducted on adults.
Pediatric drug trials take longer and are less common.
Consider age-related pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution,
metabolism, excretion).
State Board of Nursing Ans: Report medication errors resulting in injury.
Enforces nursing practice acts and protects public safety.
Patient Education in Pharmacology Ans: Teaching Environment: Ensure the
environment is conducive to learning (quiet, comfortable).
Assess Readiness: Ensure the patient is physically and mentally ready to
learn (pain-free, alert).
Tailor Education: Provide information at the patient's reading level.
Content to Include Ans: Medication name, dose, how it works, possible side
effects, interactions, and reversal agents if applicable. Special instructions,
such as storage (e.g., refrigeration).
Absorption Ans: The process of the drug entering the body.
Metabolism Ans: Mainly occurs in the liver.
First-pass effect (Oral meds only): A significant amount of the drug is
metabolized by the liver before reaching circulation, requiring higher doses
for effect.
Prodrugs: Inactive when administered and only become active after being
metabolized.
Age-related changes: Elderly patients may metabolize drugs slower,
requiring dose adjustments.
Distribution Ans: The movement of drugs throughout the body.
Affected by conditions such as cardiovascular disease (e.g., peripheral
arterial or vascular disease).
© 2026 All rights reserved
