NUR 6011/NUR6011 Exam 1 V3 | Advance
Pharmacology Q&A with Rationale |
William Paterson University
1. Which phase of pharmacokinetics is most significantly impacted by the first-pass effect?
A. Excretion
B. Distribution
C. Metabolism
D. Absorption
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Metabolism is the correct answer because the first-pass effect refers
to the rapid hepatic inactivation of certain oral drugs. When a drug is absorbed through the
GI tract, it travels via the portal vein to the liver. If the liver has a high capacity to
metabolize the drug, the drug can be completely inactivated on its first trip through the
liver.
2. A drug with a high therapeutic index is considered to be:
A. Toxic
B. Potent
C. Safe
D. Highly bound
,Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: The therapeutic index is a measure of a drug’s safety. It is determined
using laboratory animals and is defined as the ratio of the drug’s LD50 to its ED50. A large
or high therapeutic index indicates that a drug is relatively safe.
3. How many half-lives does it typically take for a drug to reach a steady-state concentration
in the blood?
A. Four to five half-lives
B. Two half-lives
C. One half-life
D. Ten half-lives
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: When a patient takes a repeated dose of a drug, the drug will
accumulate until a plateau has been achieved. The time to reach steady state is
independent of the dosage size. It generally takes approximately four to five half-lives to
reach plateau or steady state.
4. What is the primary site for drug metabolism in the human body?
A. Kidneys
B. Small Intestine
C. Liver
, D. Lungs
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Most drug metabolism takes place in the liver. This process is
performed by the hepatic microsomal enzyme system, also known as the P450 system.
Metabolism can result in the inactivation of drugs or the activation of prodrugs.
5. Which receptor type is primarily responsible for increasing heart rate and contractility?
A. Alpha-1
B. Beta-2
C. Beta-1
D. Muscarinic
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Beta-1 receptors are located primarily in the heart. Activation of
these receptors leads to increased heart rate and increased force of contraction. Beta-1
blockers are often used to treat hypertension and tachycardia by antagonizing these effects.
6. An agonist is a drug that:
A. Mimics the body’s own regulatory molecules
B. Blocks receptor activation
C. Has affinity but no intrinsic activity
D. Decreases the rate of physiological processes
Pharmacology Q&A with Rationale |
William Paterson University
1. Which phase of pharmacokinetics is most significantly impacted by the first-pass effect?
A. Excretion
B. Distribution
C. Metabolism
D. Absorption
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Metabolism is the correct answer because the first-pass effect refers
to the rapid hepatic inactivation of certain oral drugs. When a drug is absorbed through the
GI tract, it travels via the portal vein to the liver. If the liver has a high capacity to
metabolize the drug, the drug can be completely inactivated on its first trip through the
liver.
2. A drug with a high therapeutic index is considered to be:
A. Toxic
B. Potent
C. Safe
D. Highly bound
,Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: The therapeutic index is a measure of a drug’s safety. It is determined
using laboratory animals and is defined as the ratio of the drug’s LD50 to its ED50. A large
or high therapeutic index indicates that a drug is relatively safe.
3. How many half-lives does it typically take for a drug to reach a steady-state concentration
in the blood?
A. Four to five half-lives
B. Two half-lives
C. One half-life
D. Ten half-lives
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: When a patient takes a repeated dose of a drug, the drug will
accumulate until a plateau has been achieved. The time to reach steady state is
independent of the dosage size. It generally takes approximately four to five half-lives to
reach plateau or steady state.
4. What is the primary site for drug metabolism in the human body?
A. Kidneys
B. Small Intestine
C. Liver
, D. Lungs
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Most drug metabolism takes place in the liver. This process is
performed by the hepatic microsomal enzyme system, also known as the P450 system.
Metabolism can result in the inactivation of drugs or the activation of prodrugs.
5. Which receptor type is primarily responsible for increasing heart rate and contractility?
A. Alpha-1
B. Beta-2
C. Beta-1
D. Muscarinic
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Beta-1 receptors are located primarily in the heart. Activation of
these receptors leads to increased heart rate and increased force of contraction. Beta-1
blockers are often used to treat hypertension and tachycardia by antagonizing these effects.
6. An agonist is a drug that:
A. Mimics the body’s own regulatory molecules
B. Blocks receptor activation
C. Has affinity but no intrinsic activity
D. Decreases the rate of physiological processes
