NUR 100/NUR100 Final Exam V1 |
Pharmacology Q&A with Rationale | Fortis
College
1. A nurse is reviewing the pharmacokinetics of a newly prescribed medication. Which
process describes the movement of the drug from the site of administration into the systemic
circulation?
A. Distribution
B. Metabolism
C. Absorption
D. Excretion
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Absorption is the initial stage where the drug moves from its entry
point into the bloodstream. This process is heavily influenced by the route of
administration, such as oral versus intravenous. Understanding absorption helps the nurse
determine when the medication will begin to take effect for the patient.
2. When administering an oral medication, the nurse knows that many drugs are extensively
metabolized by the liver before reaching the rest of the body. What is this phenomenon
called?
A. Therapeutic effect
,B. Bioavailability factor
C. First-pass effect
D. Synergistic effect
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: The first-pass effect occurs when oral medications are absorbed from
the gastrointestinal tract and carried to the liver via the portal vein. In the liver, a
significant portion of the drug may be metabolized before it ever reaches the systemic
circulation. This process explains why oral doses of certain drugs must be much higher
than their parenteral counterparts.
3. A patient has a medication with a half-life of 4 hours. If the patient receives a 100 mg dose
at 08:00, how much medication will remain in the patient’s system at 16:00?
A. 50 mg
B. 75 mg
C. 25 mg
D. 12.5 mg
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: The half-life of a drug is the time required for the concentration of the
drug in the body to decrease by 50 percent. From 08:00 to 12:00 (4 hours), the amount
, drops from 100 mg to 50 mg. From 12:00 to 16:00 (another 4 hours), the amount drops
from 50 mg to 25 mg.
4. The nurse is preparing to administer a drug that has a narrow therapeutic index. What does
this indicate about the medication?
A. The difference between a therapeutic dose and a toxic dose is small.
B. The drug is very safe and requires little monitoring.
C. The drug has a long half-life and stays in the body for days.
D. The drug must be administered twice daily to remain effective.
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: A narrow therapeutic index means that the margin of safety for the
drug is very slim. Patients taking these medications require close monitoring of blood
levels to prevent toxicity while ensuring efficacy. Nurses must be vigilant for signs of
adverse effects because even small dosage changes can be dangerous.
5. Which of the following is considered one of the ‘Six Rights’ of medication administration?
A. Right documentation
B. Right room number
C. Right diagnosis
D. Right physician
Correct Answer: A
Pharmacology Q&A with Rationale | Fortis
College
1. A nurse is reviewing the pharmacokinetics of a newly prescribed medication. Which
process describes the movement of the drug from the site of administration into the systemic
circulation?
A. Distribution
B. Metabolism
C. Absorption
D. Excretion
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Absorption is the initial stage where the drug moves from its entry
point into the bloodstream. This process is heavily influenced by the route of
administration, such as oral versus intravenous. Understanding absorption helps the nurse
determine when the medication will begin to take effect for the patient.
2. When administering an oral medication, the nurse knows that many drugs are extensively
metabolized by the liver before reaching the rest of the body. What is this phenomenon
called?
A. Therapeutic effect
,B. Bioavailability factor
C. First-pass effect
D. Synergistic effect
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: The first-pass effect occurs when oral medications are absorbed from
the gastrointestinal tract and carried to the liver via the portal vein. In the liver, a
significant portion of the drug may be metabolized before it ever reaches the systemic
circulation. This process explains why oral doses of certain drugs must be much higher
than their parenteral counterparts.
3. A patient has a medication with a half-life of 4 hours. If the patient receives a 100 mg dose
at 08:00, how much medication will remain in the patient’s system at 16:00?
A. 50 mg
B. 75 mg
C. 25 mg
D. 12.5 mg
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: The half-life of a drug is the time required for the concentration of the
drug in the body to decrease by 50 percent. From 08:00 to 12:00 (4 hours), the amount
, drops from 100 mg to 50 mg. From 12:00 to 16:00 (another 4 hours), the amount drops
from 50 mg to 25 mg.
4. The nurse is preparing to administer a drug that has a narrow therapeutic index. What does
this indicate about the medication?
A. The difference between a therapeutic dose and a toxic dose is small.
B. The drug is very safe and requires little monitoring.
C. The drug has a long half-life and stays in the body for days.
D. The drug must be administered twice daily to remain effective.
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: A narrow therapeutic index means that the margin of safety for the
drug is very slim. Patients taking these medications require close monitoring of blood
levels to prevent toxicity while ensuring efficacy. Nurses must be vigilant for signs of
adverse effects because even small dosage changes can be dangerous.
5. Which of the following is considered one of the ‘Six Rights’ of medication administration?
A. Right documentation
B. Right room number
C. Right diagnosis
D. Right physician
Correct Answer: A
