NSG 251 EXAM 1 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
100% CORRECT!!
Define Pharmacology - ANSWER The study of science of drugs
Chemical name - ANSWER The name that describes the chemical composition and
molecular structure of a drug
Generic Name - ANSWER The official or non-dietary name that is given by the United
States Adopted Names Council *Never Capitalized*
Trade name - ANSWER Proprietary name given by the company that manufactures the
medication *Always capitalized*
What are the four processes involved in pharmacokinetics? - ANSWER Absorption,
distribution, metabolism, excretion
Absorption: - ANSWER The movement of a drug from the site of administration to the
bloodstream [ Highly dependent upon the route of administration; No absorption in IV
administration b/c it goes directly into blood]
What affects absorption? - ANSWER Time of day, PH of stomach, form of drug
preparation, presence of food in the stomach
Bioavailability - ANSWER Extent of the drug absorbed for a given drug and route (0-
100%) [Drug passes through liver and smaller amount passes into circulation]
First-Pass effect: - ANSWER Initial metabolism in liver of a drug absorbed from GI tract
before drug reaches systemic circulation through bloodstream
High-first pass effect - ANSWER High formation of inactive metabolites in the liver - Oral
drugs have bioavailability of less than 100%, Intravenous drugs have 100%
bioavailability
Distribution: - ANSWER The transport of a drug by the bloodstream to its site of action
,In distribution, what are the areas of rapid distribution? - ANSWER Heart, liver, kidneys,
and brain [Areas with extensive blood supply]
Excretion - ANSWER Elimination of drugs from the body
Primary organ responsible for excretion? - ANSWER The kidney
Half-life - ANSWER The time required for one-half (50%) of a given drug to be removed
from the body [For example, if the peak level of a drug is 100 mg/L and the measured
drug level in 8 hours is 50 mg/L, then the estimated half-life of that drug is 8 hours]
How many half-lives until most drugs are considered effectively removed? - ANSWER 5
Half-lives (97% eliminated)
How do drugs work on the body? - ANSWER Pharmacodynamics
Pharmacodynamics - ANSWER The study of the mechanisms, biochemical and
physiologic interactions of drugs at their sites of activity, in tissues
Therapeutic effect - ANSWER A positive change in a faulty physiologic system; Such an
effect is the goal of drug therapy
Once a drug is at the site of action what can it do? - ANSWER Modify (increase or
decrease) the rate of cell functions; Modify the strength of function of the cell of tissue
It CANNOT perform a function that is not part of its natural physiology
How do drugs exert actions? - ANSWER Receptors, enzymes and nonselective
physiology
Receptors - ANSWER Reactive site on surface or inside cell (molecular structure of
drug is critical)
What two ways do drugs interact with receptors - ANSWER Elicit or block physiologic
response
Affinity: - ANSWER Degree which a drug attaches to and binds with a receptor; drug
with the best "fit" and strongest affinity will elicit the greatest response
, Enzymes - ANSWER Drugs bind to enzyme and either inhibit (more common) or
enhance (less common) the action of a specific enzyme // this process is called
selective interaction
Nonselective interactions - ANSWER Nonspecific mechanism of action ; Drugs do not
interact with receptors or enzymes --> Their main targets are cell membranes and
various cellular processes such as metabolic activities ; These drugs can either
physically interfere with or chemically alter cellular structures of processes ; Some
cancer and antibiotic do this
Agonist - ANSWER Drug binds to the receptor; there IS a response
Partial agonist (agonist-antagonist) - ANSWER Drug binds to the receptor; the response
is diminished compared with the elicited by an agonist
Antagonist - ANSWER Drug binds to the receptor; there is NO response. Drug prevents
binding of agonists
Competitive antagonist - ANSWER Drug competes with the agonist for binding to the
receptor. If it binds, there is NO response
Noncompetitive antagonist - ANSWER Drug combines with different parts of the
receptor and inactivates it; agonist then has no effect
Pharmacotherapeutics - ANSWER The clinical use of drugs to prevent and treat
diseases
Acute therapy - ANSWER Intensive drug treatment for acutely ill, needed to sustain life
Maintenance therapy - ANSWER Prevents progression of a disease, treats chronic
illnesses
Supplemental (replacement) therapy - ANSWER Supplies body with substance needed
to maintain normal function. I.e. - Insulin for diabetic, iron for anemia
Palliative therapy - ANSWER Make Pt comfortable, provide relief from pain, stress of
serious illness. I.e. - opioids for end of life
Supportive therapy - ANSWER Maintain integrity of body functions while Pt recovers
from illness/trauma. I.e. - electrolytes to prevent dehydration due to vomit/diarrhea
100% CORRECT!!
Define Pharmacology - ANSWER The study of science of drugs
Chemical name - ANSWER The name that describes the chemical composition and
molecular structure of a drug
Generic Name - ANSWER The official or non-dietary name that is given by the United
States Adopted Names Council *Never Capitalized*
Trade name - ANSWER Proprietary name given by the company that manufactures the
medication *Always capitalized*
What are the four processes involved in pharmacokinetics? - ANSWER Absorption,
distribution, metabolism, excretion
Absorption: - ANSWER The movement of a drug from the site of administration to the
bloodstream [ Highly dependent upon the route of administration; No absorption in IV
administration b/c it goes directly into blood]
What affects absorption? - ANSWER Time of day, PH of stomach, form of drug
preparation, presence of food in the stomach
Bioavailability - ANSWER Extent of the drug absorbed for a given drug and route (0-
100%) [Drug passes through liver and smaller amount passes into circulation]
First-Pass effect: - ANSWER Initial metabolism in liver of a drug absorbed from GI tract
before drug reaches systemic circulation through bloodstream
High-first pass effect - ANSWER High formation of inactive metabolites in the liver - Oral
drugs have bioavailability of less than 100%, Intravenous drugs have 100%
bioavailability
Distribution: - ANSWER The transport of a drug by the bloodstream to its site of action
,In distribution, what are the areas of rapid distribution? - ANSWER Heart, liver, kidneys,
and brain [Areas with extensive blood supply]
Excretion - ANSWER Elimination of drugs from the body
Primary organ responsible for excretion? - ANSWER The kidney
Half-life - ANSWER The time required for one-half (50%) of a given drug to be removed
from the body [For example, if the peak level of a drug is 100 mg/L and the measured
drug level in 8 hours is 50 mg/L, then the estimated half-life of that drug is 8 hours]
How many half-lives until most drugs are considered effectively removed? - ANSWER 5
Half-lives (97% eliminated)
How do drugs work on the body? - ANSWER Pharmacodynamics
Pharmacodynamics - ANSWER The study of the mechanisms, biochemical and
physiologic interactions of drugs at their sites of activity, in tissues
Therapeutic effect - ANSWER A positive change in a faulty physiologic system; Such an
effect is the goal of drug therapy
Once a drug is at the site of action what can it do? - ANSWER Modify (increase or
decrease) the rate of cell functions; Modify the strength of function of the cell of tissue
It CANNOT perform a function that is not part of its natural physiology
How do drugs exert actions? - ANSWER Receptors, enzymes and nonselective
physiology
Receptors - ANSWER Reactive site on surface or inside cell (molecular structure of
drug is critical)
What two ways do drugs interact with receptors - ANSWER Elicit or block physiologic
response
Affinity: - ANSWER Degree which a drug attaches to and binds with a receptor; drug
with the best "fit" and strongest affinity will elicit the greatest response
, Enzymes - ANSWER Drugs bind to enzyme and either inhibit (more common) or
enhance (less common) the action of a specific enzyme // this process is called
selective interaction
Nonselective interactions - ANSWER Nonspecific mechanism of action ; Drugs do not
interact with receptors or enzymes --> Their main targets are cell membranes and
various cellular processes such as metabolic activities ; These drugs can either
physically interfere with or chemically alter cellular structures of processes ; Some
cancer and antibiotic do this
Agonist - ANSWER Drug binds to the receptor; there IS a response
Partial agonist (agonist-antagonist) - ANSWER Drug binds to the receptor; the response
is diminished compared with the elicited by an agonist
Antagonist - ANSWER Drug binds to the receptor; there is NO response. Drug prevents
binding of agonists
Competitive antagonist - ANSWER Drug competes with the agonist for binding to the
receptor. If it binds, there is NO response
Noncompetitive antagonist - ANSWER Drug combines with different parts of the
receptor and inactivates it; agonist then has no effect
Pharmacotherapeutics - ANSWER The clinical use of drugs to prevent and treat
diseases
Acute therapy - ANSWER Intensive drug treatment for acutely ill, needed to sustain life
Maintenance therapy - ANSWER Prevents progression of a disease, treats chronic
illnesses
Supplemental (replacement) therapy - ANSWER Supplies body with substance needed
to maintain normal function. I.e. - Insulin for diabetic, iron for anemia
Palliative therapy - ANSWER Make Pt comfortable, provide relief from pain, stress of
serious illness. I.e. - opioids for end of life
Supportive therapy - ANSWER Maintain integrity of body functions while Pt recovers
from illness/trauma. I.e. - electrolytes to prevent dehydration due to vomit/diarrhea
