WGU D398 Introduction to Pharmacology | Objective Assessments |
OA V1, V2 and V3 | All OA Versions | 234 Questions and Answers |
Update | 100% Correct*
Question 1
A nurse is teaching a patient about a drug that undergoes extensive first-pass effect. Which
route of administration would avoid this effect?
A. Oral
B. Intravenous
C. Subcutaneous
D. Rectal
Correct Answer: B
• Rationale:
o A. Oral – Subject to first-pass metabolism in the liver.
o B. Intravenous – Bypasses the GI tract and liver initially; drug enters systemic
circulation directly.
o C. Subcutaneous – Absorbed into capillaries, still passes through liver
eventually but slower; first-pass is minimal.
o D. Rectal – Partially bypasses liver (50% absorbed into systemic circulation
directly), but not complete.
Question 2
A patient is prescribed a medication with a half-life of 4 hours. How long will it take for the
drug to reach steady state?
,A. 8 hours
B. 12 hours
C. 20 hours
D. 40 hours
Correct Answer: C
• Rationale: Steady state is achieved after approximately 4–5 half-lives.
o 4 half-lives = 16 hours (closer to 80–90% steady state).
o 5 half-lives = 20 hours (nearly 97% steady state).
o Option C (20 hours) is the best answer.
Question 3
Which phase of pharmacokinetics involves the movement of a drug from the site of
administration to the bloodstream?
A. Absorption
B. Distribution
C. Metabolism
D. Excretion
Correct Answer: A
• Rationale:
o A. Absorption – Correct definition.
o B. Distribution – Transport from blood to tissues.
o C. Metabolism – Biotransformation.
o D. Excretion – Removal from body.
Question 4
, A patient with liver disease is prescribed a drug that is highly protein-bound. What effect
might this have?
A. Increased free drug levels, increased risk of toxicity
B. Decreased drug absorption
C. Faster drug excretion
D. No significant change
Correct Answer: A
• Rationale: Liver disease reduces albumin production. With fewer binding sites, more
unbound (free) active drug circulates, increasing risk of toxicity.
Question 5
Which drug class blocks the action of acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors?
A. Cholinergic agonists
B. Anticholinergics
C. Beta-blockers
D. Alpha agonists
Correct Answer: B
• Rationale: Anticholinergics (e.g., atropine) block muscarinic acetylcholine receptors.
Cholinergic agonists stimulate them.
Question 6
A patient taking a beta-1 selective blocker (atenolol) may experience which effect?
A. Bronchospasm
B. Decreased heart rate and contractility
C. Increased renin release
D. Mydriasis
Correct Answer: B
OA V1, V2 and V3 | All OA Versions | 234 Questions and Answers |
Update | 100% Correct*
Question 1
A nurse is teaching a patient about a drug that undergoes extensive first-pass effect. Which
route of administration would avoid this effect?
A. Oral
B. Intravenous
C. Subcutaneous
D. Rectal
Correct Answer: B
• Rationale:
o A. Oral – Subject to first-pass metabolism in the liver.
o B. Intravenous – Bypasses the GI tract and liver initially; drug enters systemic
circulation directly.
o C. Subcutaneous – Absorbed into capillaries, still passes through liver
eventually but slower; first-pass is minimal.
o D. Rectal – Partially bypasses liver (50% absorbed into systemic circulation
directly), but not complete.
Question 2
A patient is prescribed a medication with a half-life of 4 hours. How long will it take for the
drug to reach steady state?
,A. 8 hours
B. 12 hours
C. 20 hours
D. 40 hours
Correct Answer: C
• Rationale: Steady state is achieved after approximately 4–5 half-lives.
o 4 half-lives = 16 hours (closer to 80–90% steady state).
o 5 half-lives = 20 hours (nearly 97% steady state).
o Option C (20 hours) is the best answer.
Question 3
Which phase of pharmacokinetics involves the movement of a drug from the site of
administration to the bloodstream?
A. Absorption
B. Distribution
C. Metabolism
D. Excretion
Correct Answer: A
• Rationale:
o A. Absorption – Correct definition.
o B. Distribution – Transport from blood to tissues.
o C. Metabolism – Biotransformation.
o D. Excretion – Removal from body.
Question 4
, A patient with liver disease is prescribed a drug that is highly protein-bound. What effect
might this have?
A. Increased free drug levels, increased risk of toxicity
B. Decreased drug absorption
C. Faster drug excretion
D. No significant change
Correct Answer: A
• Rationale: Liver disease reduces albumin production. With fewer binding sites, more
unbound (free) active drug circulates, increasing risk of toxicity.
Question 5
Which drug class blocks the action of acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors?
A. Cholinergic agonists
B. Anticholinergics
C. Beta-blockers
D. Alpha agonists
Correct Answer: B
• Rationale: Anticholinergics (e.g., atropine) block muscarinic acetylcholine receptors.
Cholinergic agonists stimulate them.
Question 6
A patient taking a beta-1 selective blocker (atenolol) may experience which effect?
A. Bronchospasm
B. Decreased heart rate and contractility
C. Increased renin release
D. Mydriasis
Correct Answer: B
