,NU 136 — Exam 1 Comprehensive
Questions & Verified Answers | 2026
1. Which of the following best describes the study of how drugs move through the body, including
absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion?
A) Pharmacodynamics
B) Pharmacokinetics
C) Pharmacotherapeutics
D) Pharmacognosy
Correct Answer: Pharmacokinetics
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics refers to what the body does to a drug, involving the four processes of
absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. Pharmacodynamics studies what the drug does to
the body, including mechanism of action and effects.
2. The nurse is caring for a patient with liver failure. Which pharmacokinetic phase is most likely to be
impaired?
A) Absorption
B) Distribution
C) Metabolism
D) Excretion
Correct Answer: Metabolism
Rationale: The liver is the primary site of drug metabolism, where enzymes such as cytochrome P450
transform drugs into metabolites. Liver failure slows metabolism, leading to drug accumulation and
potential toxicity unless dosages are reduced.
3. A patient is prescribed a medication that undergoes significant first-pass metabolism. Which route of
administration would avoid this effect?
,A) Oral
B) Sublingual
C) Rectal
D) Topical
Correct Answer: Sublingual
Rationale: Sublingual administration allows the drug to be absorbed directly into the venous circulation,
bypassing the portal circulation and hepatic first-pass metabolism. Oral medications pass through the
liver before reaching systemic circulation.
4. The nurse is evaluating a patient's understanding of their new prescription. Which statement
indicates a correct understanding of the term "adverse effect"?
A) "An adverse effect is the reason I am taking the medication."
B) "Adverse effects are mild and expected."
C) "An adverse effect is an unintended and potentially harmful reaction."
D) "An adverse effect means the drug is not working."
Correct Answer: "An adverse effect is an unintended and potentially harmful reaction."
Rationale: Adverse effects are unintended, harmful, and range from mild to life-threatening. Side effects
are predictable and often mild. Therapeutic effects are the intended beneficial actions.
5. According to the Controlled Substances Act, a medication with a high potential for abuse, currently
accepted medical use, and severe dependence liability is classified as
A) Schedule I
B) Schedule II
C) Schedule III
D) Schedule IV
, Correct Answer: Schedule II
Rationale: Schedule II drugs, such as morphine and oxycodone, have a high abuse potential with severe
psychological or physical dependence, but they have accepted medical uses. Schedule I drugs have no
accepted medical use.
6. The nurse is preparing to administer a medication and checks the patient's identification band. This
action verifies which right of medication administration?
A) Right dose
B) Right time
C) Right patient
D) Right route
Correct Answer: Right patient
Rationale: The right patient is verified using two identifiers, such as name and date of birth, before
medication administration. This is a critical safety step that prevents errors.
7. Which type of medication order is administered once at a specified time?
A) Standing order
B) PRN order
C) Stat order
D) Single order
Correct Answer: Single order
Rationale: A single or one-time order is given only once at a specific time, such as a preoperative
antibiotic. A standing order is ongoing until discontinued; PRN is as needed; stat is immediately.
8. The nurse is teaching a patient about transdermal drug delivery. Which statement is correct?
Questions & Verified Answers | 2026
1. Which of the following best describes the study of how drugs move through the body, including
absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion?
A) Pharmacodynamics
B) Pharmacokinetics
C) Pharmacotherapeutics
D) Pharmacognosy
Correct Answer: Pharmacokinetics
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics refers to what the body does to a drug, involving the four processes of
absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. Pharmacodynamics studies what the drug does to
the body, including mechanism of action and effects.
2. The nurse is caring for a patient with liver failure. Which pharmacokinetic phase is most likely to be
impaired?
A) Absorption
B) Distribution
C) Metabolism
D) Excretion
Correct Answer: Metabolism
Rationale: The liver is the primary site of drug metabolism, where enzymes such as cytochrome P450
transform drugs into metabolites. Liver failure slows metabolism, leading to drug accumulation and
potential toxicity unless dosages are reduced.
3. A patient is prescribed a medication that undergoes significant first-pass metabolism. Which route of
administration would avoid this effect?
,A) Oral
B) Sublingual
C) Rectal
D) Topical
Correct Answer: Sublingual
Rationale: Sublingual administration allows the drug to be absorbed directly into the venous circulation,
bypassing the portal circulation and hepatic first-pass metabolism. Oral medications pass through the
liver before reaching systemic circulation.
4. The nurse is evaluating a patient's understanding of their new prescription. Which statement
indicates a correct understanding of the term "adverse effect"?
A) "An adverse effect is the reason I am taking the medication."
B) "Adverse effects are mild and expected."
C) "An adverse effect is an unintended and potentially harmful reaction."
D) "An adverse effect means the drug is not working."
Correct Answer: "An adverse effect is an unintended and potentially harmful reaction."
Rationale: Adverse effects are unintended, harmful, and range from mild to life-threatening. Side effects
are predictable and often mild. Therapeutic effects are the intended beneficial actions.
5. According to the Controlled Substances Act, a medication with a high potential for abuse, currently
accepted medical use, and severe dependence liability is classified as
A) Schedule I
B) Schedule II
C) Schedule III
D) Schedule IV
, Correct Answer: Schedule II
Rationale: Schedule II drugs, such as morphine and oxycodone, have a high abuse potential with severe
psychological or physical dependence, but they have accepted medical uses. Schedule I drugs have no
accepted medical use.
6. The nurse is preparing to administer a medication and checks the patient's identification band. This
action verifies which right of medication administration?
A) Right dose
B) Right time
C) Right patient
D) Right route
Correct Answer: Right patient
Rationale: The right patient is verified using two identifiers, such as name and date of birth, before
medication administration. This is a critical safety step that prevents errors.
7. Which type of medication order is administered once at a specified time?
A) Standing order
B) PRN order
C) Stat order
D) Single order
Correct Answer: Single order
Rationale: A single or one-time order is given only once at a specific time, such as a preoperative
antibiotic. A standing order is ongoing until discontinued; PRN is as needed; stat is immediately.
8. The nurse is teaching a patient about transdermal drug delivery. Which statement is correct?
