NUR 210 Exam 1: (Latest 2026/2027 Update) Pharmacology,
Pharmacokinetics, Medication Administration | Q&A | Grade A |
100% Correct (Verified Answers)
PHARMACOLOGY EXAM REVIEW | NURSING FUNDAMENTALS
SUBJECT SOURCE
Pharmacology - Pharmacokinetics, Drug Classes, NUR 210 Exam 1 Study Guide 2026/2027
Medication Administration
Q1
What are the four processes of pharmacokinetics?
A Absorption (drug into bloodstream), Distribution (from circulation to tissues), Metabolism
(liver primary site), Excretion (kidney primary site)
B Ingestion, Digestion, Absorption, Elimination
C Absorption, Activation, Metabolism, Clearance
D Binding, Transport, Biotransformation, Excretion
CORRECT ANSWER A. Absorption (drug into bloodstream), Distribution (from circulation to
tissues), Metabolism (liver primary site), Excretion (kidney primary site)
CLINICAL RATIONALE
Pharmacokinetics is what the body does to the drug. Absorption: movement from administration site to
blood. Distribution: transport to tissues. Metabolism: biotransformation (primarily liver). Excretion:
elimination (primarily kidneys, also bile, lungs, sweat, breast milk).
, Q2
What factors affect drug absorption?
A High fat foods, decreased gastric emptying, exercise, GI acidity
B Only liver function
C Only kidney function
D Only patient age
CORRECT ANSWER A. High fat foods, decreased gastric emptying, exercise, GI acidity
CLINICAL RATIONALE
Factors that alter absorption: presence of food (fat delays gastric emptying), GI pH (acidic environment
affects weak acids/bases), blood flow (exercise increases), surface area, GI motility, and drug form (liquid
> tablet).
Q3
What is the first pass effect?
A A swallowed pill that goes to the liver through the portal vein where some of the drug
becomes inactive
B Drug binding to plasma proteins
C Drug being excreted unchanged in urine
D Drug accumulating in fatty tissue
CORRECT ANSWER A. A swallowed pill that goes to the liver through the portal vein where
some of the drug becomes inactive
CLINICAL RATIONALE
Oral drugs absorbed from GI tract travel via portal vein to liver where hepatic enzymes metabolize a
portion before reaching systemic circulation. High first-pass effect drugs require higher oral doses (e.g.,
propranolol, morphine). Avoid first-pass effect with IV, sublingual, buccal, or transdermal routes.
, Q4
What is significant about highly protein-bound drugs?
A When drug can accumulate in body, decreases plasma protein levels, need to watch drug
combination, portion bound to protein is inactive, free drug reaches site of action
B They are always safe to combine
C They are rapidly excreted
D They have no side effects
CORRECT ANSWER A. When drug can accumulate in body, decreases plasma protein levels,
need to watch drug combination, portion bound to protein is inactive, free drug reaches
site of action
CLINICAL RATIONALE
Only unbound (free) drug is pharmacologically active. Warfarin (99% protein bound) drug interactions:
adding another highly protein-bound drug (valproate, aspirin) displaces warfarin, increasing free fraction
and bleeding risk. Hypoalbuminemia (malnutrition, liver disease) increases free drug levels.
Q5
What is half-life?
A Time it takes for the drug in the body to be reduced by half
B Time for drug to reach peak concentration
C Time for drug to start working
D Duration of therapeutic effect
CORRECT ANSWER A. Time it takes for the drug in the body to be reduced by half
CLINICAL RATIONALE
Determines dosing interval: drugs with short half-life require frequent dosing (multiple daily doses).
Drugs with long half-life (warfarin 40 hrs, phenytoin 22 hrs) can be given once daily. Steady state reached
after 4-5 half-lives.
Pharmacokinetics, Medication Administration | Q&A | Grade A |
100% Correct (Verified Answers)
PHARMACOLOGY EXAM REVIEW | NURSING FUNDAMENTALS
SUBJECT SOURCE
Pharmacology - Pharmacokinetics, Drug Classes, NUR 210 Exam 1 Study Guide 2026/2027
Medication Administration
Q1
What are the four processes of pharmacokinetics?
A Absorption (drug into bloodstream), Distribution (from circulation to tissues), Metabolism
(liver primary site), Excretion (kidney primary site)
B Ingestion, Digestion, Absorption, Elimination
C Absorption, Activation, Metabolism, Clearance
D Binding, Transport, Biotransformation, Excretion
CORRECT ANSWER A. Absorption (drug into bloodstream), Distribution (from circulation to
tissues), Metabolism (liver primary site), Excretion (kidney primary site)
CLINICAL RATIONALE
Pharmacokinetics is what the body does to the drug. Absorption: movement from administration site to
blood. Distribution: transport to tissues. Metabolism: biotransformation (primarily liver). Excretion:
elimination (primarily kidneys, also bile, lungs, sweat, breast milk).
, Q2
What factors affect drug absorption?
A High fat foods, decreased gastric emptying, exercise, GI acidity
B Only liver function
C Only kidney function
D Only patient age
CORRECT ANSWER A. High fat foods, decreased gastric emptying, exercise, GI acidity
CLINICAL RATIONALE
Factors that alter absorption: presence of food (fat delays gastric emptying), GI pH (acidic environment
affects weak acids/bases), blood flow (exercise increases), surface area, GI motility, and drug form (liquid
> tablet).
Q3
What is the first pass effect?
A A swallowed pill that goes to the liver through the portal vein where some of the drug
becomes inactive
B Drug binding to plasma proteins
C Drug being excreted unchanged in urine
D Drug accumulating in fatty tissue
CORRECT ANSWER A. A swallowed pill that goes to the liver through the portal vein where
some of the drug becomes inactive
CLINICAL RATIONALE
Oral drugs absorbed from GI tract travel via portal vein to liver where hepatic enzymes metabolize a
portion before reaching systemic circulation. High first-pass effect drugs require higher oral doses (e.g.,
propranolol, morphine). Avoid first-pass effect with IV, sublingual, buccal, or transdermal routes.
, Q4
What is significant about highly protein-bound drugs?
A When drug can accumulate in body, decreases plasma protein levels, need to watch drug
combination, portion bound to protein is inactive, free drug reaches site of action
B They are always safe to combine
C They are rapidly excreted
D They have no side effects
CORRECT ANSWER A. When drug can accumulate in body, decreases plasma protein levels,
need to watch drug combination, portion bound to protein is inactive, free drug reaches
site of action
CLINICAL RATIONALE
Only unbound (free) drug is pharmacologically active. Warfarin (99% protein bound) drug interactions:
adding another highly protein-bound drug (valproate, aspirin) displaces warfarin, increasing free fraction
and bleeding risk. Hypoalbuminemia (malnutrition, liver disease) increases free drug levels.
Q5
What is half-life?
A Time it takes for the drug in the body to be reduced by half
B Time for drug to reach peak concentration
C Time for drug to start working
D Duration of therapeutic effect
CORRECT ANSWER A. Time it takes for the drug in the body to be reduced by half
CLINICAL RATIONALE
Determines dosing interval: drugs with short half-life require frequent dosing (multiple daily doses).
Drugs with long half-life (warfarin 40 hrs, phenytoin 22 hrs) can be given once daily. Steady state reached
after 4-5 half-lives.
