ECPI NUR 138 Pharmacology Exam
1 Questions With Complete
Solutions
Course
NUR 138
Questions 1–10
1. A nurse administers a medication intravenously. Which pharmacokinetic factor is
immediately affected?
A. Absorption
B. Distribution
C. Metabolism
D. Excretion
Answer: A – Absorption
Rationale: IV medications bypass the absorption phase entirely, entering directly into
circulation. Distribution, metabolism, and excretion follow after absorption.
2. Which is the primary organ responsible for drug metabolism?
A. Kidney
B. Liver
C. Lungs
D. Spleen
Answer: B – Liver
Rationale: The liver metabolizes most drugs via the cytochrome P450 enzyme system,
transforming them into active or inactive metabolites for excretion.
3. A patient develops toxicity from a drug that has a narrow therapeutic index. Which
nursing intervention is most important?
A. Administering additional doses
B. Monitoring drug serum levels
C. Encouraging hydration only
D. Reducing food intake
Answer: B – Monitoring drug serum levels
Rationale: Drugs with narrow therapeutic indices (e.g., digoxin, lithium) require serum
monitoring to prevent toxicity while maintaining efficacy.
,4. Which receptor type is primarily stimulated by adrenergic agonists to increase heart rate
and contractility?
A. Alpha-1
B. Alpha-2
C. Beta-1
D. Beta-2
Answer: C – Beta-1
Rationale: Beta-1 receptors in the heart increase heart rate (chronotropy) and myocardial
contractility (inotropy) when stimulated.
5. A patient is prescribed a loop diuretic for heart failure. Which electrolyte imbalance
should the nurse monitor?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: B – Hypokalemia
Rationale: Loop diuretics (e.g., furosemide) increase potassium excretion, leading to
hypokalemia, which can cause arrhythmias.
6. Which route of administration avoids first-pass metabolism?
A. Oral
B. Sublingual
C. Rectal
D. Enteric-coated
Answer: B – Sublingual
Rationale: Sublingual medications are absorbed directly into systemic circulation via the oral
mucosa, bypassing the liver’s first-pass effect.
7. A patient experiences a severe allergic reaction to penicillin. What type of drug reaction
is this?
A. Idiosyncratic reaction
B. Type I hypersensitivity
, C. Teratogenic effect
D. Drug toxicity
Answer: B – Type I hypersensitivity
Rationale: Penicillin can trigger IgE-mediated Type I hypersensitivity reactions, causing
urticaria, angioedema, or anaphylaxis.
8. Which pharmacokinetic phase involves the movement of a drug from the bloodstream to
tissues and target sites?
A. Absorption
B. Distribution
C. Metabolism
D. Excretion
Answer: B – Distribution
Rationale: Distribution is the process by which the drug is transported from the bloodstream to
tissues and organs.
9. A nurse is teaching a patient about taking an oral antibiotic with food. Which statement
is correct?
A. Food always enhances drug absorption
B. Food may decrease absorption but improves tolerance
C. Food has no effect on absorption
D. Food increases toxicity
Answer: B – Food may decrease absorption but improves tolerance
Rationale: Some medications are absorbed more slowly with food, but taking them with meals
can reduce gastrointestinal side effects like nausea.
10. Which drug schedule indicates the highest potential for abuse and no accepted medical
use in the U.S.?
A. Schedule II
B. Schedule III
C. Schedule I
D. Schedule IV
Answer: C – Schedule I
Rationale: Schedule I drugs (e.g., heroin, LSD) have the highest abuse potential and no
recognized medical use, per the DEA classification.
1 Questions With Complete
Solutions
Course
NUR 138
Questions 1–10
1. A nurse administers a medication intravenously. Which pharmacokinetic factor is
immediately affected?
A. Absorption
B. Distribution
C. Metabolism
D. Excretion
Answer: A – Absorption
Rationale: IV medications bypass the absorption phase entirely, entering directly into
circulation. Distribution, metabolism, and excretion follow after absorption.
2. Which is the primary organ responsible for drug metabolism?
A. Kidney
B. Liver
C. Lungs
D. Spleen
Answer: B – Liver
Rationale: The liver metabolizes most drugs via the cytochrome P450 enzyme system,
transforming them into active or inactive metabolites for excretion.
3. A patient develops toxicity from a drug that has a narrow therapeutic index. Which
nursing intervention is most important?
A. Administering additional doses
B. Monitoring drug serum levels
C. Encouraging hydration only
D. Reducing food intake
Answer: B – Monitoring drug serum levels
Rationale: Drugs with narrow therapeutic indices (e.g., digoxin, lithium) require serum
monitoring to prevent toxicity while maintaining efficacy.
,4. Which receptor type is primarily stimulated by adrenergic agonists to increase heart rate
and contractility?
A. Alpha-1
B. Alpha-2
C. Beta-1
D. Beta-2
Answer: C – Beta-1
Rationale: Beta-1 receptors in the heart increase heart rate (chronotropy) and myocardial
contractility (inotropy) when stimulated.
5. A patient is prescribed a loop diuretic for heart failure. Which electrolyte imbalance
should the nurse monitor?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: B – Hypokalemia
Rationale: Loop diuretics (e.g., furosemide) increase potassium excretion, leading to
hypokalemia, which can cause arrhythmias.
6. Which route of administration avoids first-pass metabolism?
A. Oral
B. Sublingual
C. Rectal
D. Enteric-coated
Answer: B – Sublingual
Rationale: Sublingual medications are absorbed directly into systemic circulation via the oral
mucosa, bypassing the liver’s first-pass effect.
7. A patient experiences a severe allergic reaction to penicillin. What type of drug reaction
is this?
A. Idiosyncratic reaction
B. Type I hypersensitivity
, C. Teratogenic effect
D. Drug toxicity
Answer: B – Type I hypersensitivity
Rationale: Penicillin can trigger IgE-mediated Type I hypersensitivity reactions, causing
urticaria, angioedema, or anaphylaxis.
8. Which pharmacokinetic phase involves the movement of a drug from the bloodstream to
tissues and target sites?
A. Absorption
B. Distribution
C. Metabolism
D. Excretion
Answer: B – Distribution
Rationale: Distribution is the process by which the drug is transported from the bloodstream to
tissues and organs.
9. A nurse is teaching a patient about taking an oral antibiotic with food. Which statement
is correct?
A. Food always enhances drug absorption
B. Food may decrease absorption but improves tolerance
C. Food has no effect on absorption
D. Food increases toxicity
Answer: B – Food may decrease absorption but improves tolerance
Rationale: Some medications are absorbed more slowly with food, but taking them with meals
can reduce gastrointestinal side effects like nausea.
10. Which drug schedule indicates the highest potential for abuse and no accepted medical
use in the U.S.?
A. Schedule II
B. Schedule III
C. Schedule I
D. Schedule IV
Answer: C – Schedule I
Rationale: Schedule I drugs (e.g., heroin, LSD) have the highest abuse potential and no
recognized medical use, per the DEA classification.
