NU150 | NU150 Pharmacology Midterm v3 |
Questions with Correct Answers and Expert
Explanation for Each Question | Galen
1. Which phase of pharmacokinetics involves the movement of a drug from its site of
administration into the blood?
A. Distribution
B. Metabolism
C. Absorption
D. Excretion
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Absorption is the movement of a drug from its site of
administration into the bloodstream. The rate of absorption determines how soon
effects will begin and the amount of absorption determines how intense effects will
be. Factors affecting absorption include surface area, blood flow, and lipid solubility.
2. A patient has been prescribed a drug with a short half-life. How often will this drug
likely need to be administered?
A. Once daily
B. Every few days
C. Frequently throughout the day
,D. Once a week
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: The half-life of a drug is the time required for the amount of
drug in the body to decrease by 50%. Drugs with short half-lives leave the body
quickly and require more frequent dosing to maintain therapeutic levels.
Understanding half-life helps nurses determine the timing of medication
administration and potential for toxicity.
3. When assessing for drug toxicity in an elderly patient, the nurse should prioritize
monitoring which organ function?
A. Liver
B. Kidneys
C. Lungs
D. Pancreas
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Renal function is the most important factor in determining
drug excretion and preventing toxicity in older adults. As patients age, the
glomerular filtration rate typically decreases, leading to slower drug clearance.
Monitoring creatinine clearance is more accurate than serum creatinine alone in this
population.
,4. What is the primary purpose of a ‘loading dose’ for certain medications?
A. To reduce the risk of side effects
B. To reach a therapeutic plateau more quickly
C. To bypass the first-pass effect in the liver
D. To extend the drug’s half-life
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: A loading dose is a large initial dose administered to reach the
therapeutic range or plateau as quickly as possible. This is often used for drugs with
long half-lives where waiting for steady state would take too long. Once the plateau
is reached, smaller maintenance doses are used to keep the levels stable.
5. A drug that mimics the action of a natural neurotransmitter by binding to a receptor
is classified as an:
A. Antagonist
B. Agonist
C. Inhibitor
D. Partial blocker
Correct Answer: B
, Expert Explanation: Agonists are molecules that activate receptors by mimicking
the body’s own regulatory molecules. They have both affinity for the receptor and
high intrinsic activity. Antagonists, in contrast, block the action of endogenous
molecules without producing an effect of their own.
6. Which route of administration is most affected by the ‘first-pass effect’?
A. Oral
B. Sublingual
C. Intravenous
D. Intramuscular
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: The first-pass effect refers to the rapid hepatic inactivation of
certain oral drugs before they reach systemic circulation. When drugs are absorbed
from the GI tract, they are carried directly to the liver via the hepatic portal vein.
Routes like sublingual or IV bypass the liver initially, ensuring higher bioavailability.
7. A patient is receiving Atropine, an anticholinergic drug. Which side effect should the
nurse expect?
A. Diarrhea
B. Excessive salivation
Questions with Correct Answers and Expert
Explanation for Each Question | Galen
1. Which phase of pharmacokinetics involves the movement of a drug from its site of
administration into the blood?
A. Distribution
B. Metabolism
C. Absorption
D. Excretion
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Absorption is the movement of a drug from its site of
administration into the bloodstream. The rate of absorption determines how soon
effects will begin and the amount of absorption determines how intense effects will
be. Factors affecting absorption include surface area, blood flow, and lipid solubility.
2. A patient has been prescribed a drug with a short half-life. How often will this drug
likely need to be administered?
A. Once daily
B. Every few days
C. Frequently throughout the day
,D. Once a week
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: The half-life of a drug is the time required for the amount of
drug in the body to decrease by 50%. Drugs with short half-lives leave the body
quickly and require more frequent dosing to maintain therapeutic levels.
Understanding half-life helps nurses determine the timing of medication
administration and potential for toxicity.
3. When assessing for drug toxicity in an elderly patient, the nurse should prioritize
monitoring which organ function?
A. Liver
B. Kidneys
C. Lungs
D. Pancreas
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Renal function is the most important factor in determining
drug excretion and preventing toxicity in older adults. As patients age, the
glomerular filtration rate typically decreases, leading to slower drug clearance.
Monitoring creatinine clearance is more accurate than serum creatinine alone in this
population.
,4. What is the primary purpose of a ‘loading dose’ for certain medications?
A. To reduce the risk of side effects
B. To reach a therapeutic plateau more quickly
C. To bypass the first-pass effect in the liver
D. To extend the drug’s half-life
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: A loading dose is a large initial dose administered to reach the
therapeutic range or plateau as quickly as possible. This is often used for drugs with
long half-lives where waiting for steady state would take too long. Once the plateau
is reached, smaller maintenance doses are used to keep the levels stable.
5. A drug that mimics the action of a natural neurotransmitter by binding to a receptor
is classified as an:
A. Antagonist
B. Agonist
C. Inhibitor
D. Partial blocker
Correct Answer: B
, Expert Explanation: Agonists are molecules that activate receptors by mimicking
the body’s own regulatory molecules. They have both affinity for the receptor and
high intrinsic activity. Antagonists, in contrast, block the action of endogenous
molecules without producing an effect of their own.
6. Which route of administration is most affected by the ‘first-pass effect’?
A. Oral
B. Sublingual
C. Intravenous
D. Intramuscular
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: The first-pass effect refers to the rapid hepatic inactivation of
certain oral drugs before they reach systemic circulation. When drugs are absorbed
from the GI tract, they are carried directly to the liver via the hepatic portal vein.
Routes like sublingual or IV bypass the liver initially, ensuring higher bioavailability.
7. A patient is receiving Atropine, an anticholinergic drug. Which side effect should the
nurse expect?
A. Diarrhea
B. Excessive salivation
