University of South Alabama Advanced Pharmacology (MSN – NU 578) with
questions and answers with rationales Final Exam 2026
University of South Alabama
NU 578 Advanced Pharmacology
MSN Program – Final Exam 2026
Comprehensive Questions with Answers & Rationales
Exam Blueprint: NU 578 Final Exam
Unit Topics Covered Questions
Unit 1 Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics Q1-35
Unit 2 Autonomic & CNS Pharmacology Q36-65
Unit 3 Cardiovascular & Renal Pharmacology Q66-95
Unit 4 Endocrine & Metabolic Pharmacology Q96-125
Unit 5 Anti-infectives & AntimicrobialsQ126-155
Unit 6 Special Populations (Pregnancy, Pediatrics, Geriatrics) Q156-175
,Unit 7 Controlled Substances, Pain Management, & Prescribing Q176-200
SECTION I: PHARMACOKINETICS & PHARMACODYNAMICS (Unit 1)
Questions 1-35
Question 1
Define pharmacokinetics.
Answer: The impact of the body on drugs – how much of an administered dose
reaches its sites of action.
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics encompasses Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism,
and Excretion (ADME). This is distinct from pharmacodynamics, which is the
impact of drugs on the body .
Question 2
Define pharmacodynamics.
Answer: The impact of drugs on the body – the nature and intensity of the
response.
,Rationale: Pharmacodynamics includes receptor binding, post-receptor effects,
and clinical response. It answers "What does the drug do to the body?" .
Question 3
What are the four major pharmacokinetic processes?
Answer: Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion (ADME)
Rationale: These processes determine drug concentration at action sites over
time, helping predict onset, peak duration, and elimination .
Question 4
A drug with a high therapeutic index is considered:
A) More likely to cause toxicity
B) Safer because the therapeutic dose is far from the toxic dose
C) Less effective than drugs with a low therapeutic index
D) More likely to require therapeutic drug monitoring
Answer: B) Safer because the therapeutic dose is far from the toxic dose
, Rationale: The therapeutic index (TI = TD50/ED50) is the ratio of toxic dose to
effective dose. A high TI means a wide margin of safety .
Question 5
A patient with cirrhosis may have reduced metabolism of certain medications due
to:
A) Increased first-pass metabolism
B) Decreased first-pass metabolism
C) Increased renal excretion
D) Decreased protein binding only
Answer: B) Decreased first-pass metabolism
Rationale: First-pass metabolism occurs in the liver. In cirrhosis, liver function is
impaired, reducing first-pass effect and potentially causing toxicity .
Question 6
questions and answers with rationales Final Exam 2026
University of South Alabama
NU 578 Advanced Pharmacology
MSN Program – Final Exam 2026
Comprehensive Questions with Answers & Rationales
Exam Blueprint: NU 578 Final Exam
Unit Topics Covered Questions
Unit 1 Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics Q1-35
Unit 2 Autonomic & CNS Pharmacology Q36-65
Unit 3 Cardiovascular & Renal Pharmacology Q66-95
Unit 4 Endocrine & Metabolic Pharmacology Q96-125
Unit 5 Anti-infectives & AntimicrobialsQ126-155
Unit 6 Special Populations (Pregnancy, Pediatrics, Geriatrics) Q156-175
,Unit 7 Controlled Substances, Pain Management, & Prescribing Q176-200
SECTION I: PHARMACOKINETICS & PHARMACODYNAMICS (Unit 1)
Questions 1-35
Question 1
Define pharmacokinetics.
Answer: The impact of the body on drugs – how much of an administered dose
reaches its sites of action.
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics encompasses Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism,
and Excretion (ADME). This is distinct from pharmacodynamics, which is the
impact of drugs on the body .
Question 2
Define pharmacodynamics.
Answer: The impact of drugs on the body – the nature and intensity of the
response.
,Rationale: Pharmacodynamics includes receptor binding, post-receptor effects,
and clinical response. It answers "What does the drug do to the body?" .
Question 3
What are the four major pharmacokinetic processes?
Answer: Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion (ADME)
Rationale: These processes determine drug concentration at action sites over
time, helping predict onset, peak duration, and elimination .
Question 4
A drug with a high therapeutic index is considered:
A) More likely to cause toxicity
B) Safer because the therapeutic dose is far from the toxic dose
C) Less effective than drugs with a low therapeutic index
D) More likely to require therapeutic drug monitoring
Answer: B) Safer because the therapeutic dose is far from the toxic dose
, Rationale: The therapeutic index (TI = TD50/ED50) is the ratio of toxic dose to
effective dose. A high TI means a wide margin of safety .
Question 5
A patient with cirrhosis may have reduced metabolism of certain medications due
to:
A) Increased first-pass metabolism
B) Decreased first-pass metabolism
C) Increased renal excretion
D) Decreased protein binding only
Answer: B) Decreased first-pass metabolism
Rationale: First-pass metabolism occurs in the liver. In cirrhosis, liver function is
impaired, reducing first-pass effect and potentially causing toxicity .
Question 6
