Galen NUR 210 Exam 1 Modules 1-3 With 100%
Correct Answers 2023
Pharmacokinetics - ANSWER The process in which medications move through the
body
What are the 4 phases of pharmacokinetics? - ANSWER absorption, distribution,
metabolism, excretion
Absorption - ANSWER happens with drug movement from the GI tract into the
bloodstream. Most meds are taken by mouth.
Oral absorption - ANSWER Takes awhile to get absorbed because it has to go
through the GI system
Usually takes 2-4 hours
•Enteric coated
aspirin - hard on stomach
can not crush pill
•Extended release
absorbed in the small intestine
IM absorption - ANSWER Absorbed 1-2 hours
IV absorption - ANSWER Absorbed 30-60 minutes
dissolution - ANSWER Dissolution happens when a po medication breaks down
into particles, disintegrates, and dissolves to combine with liquid so absorption from
the GI tract into the bloodstream occurs.
Liquid medications are absorbed faster than solids. Food can interfere with the
absorption of drugs.
Drugs that resist dissolution - ANSWER Parenteral medications (SL, eyedrops,
inhalants, transdermal) do not pass through the GI tract.
Enteric coated medications are designed to resist disintegration until the pill reaches
the small intestine. EC and sustained release meds should not be crushed.
Factors that affect absorption - ANSWER •Lack of muscle and increased fat
changes medicine absorption
•Food consumption - will change medicine potency (delayed)
•Stress - Exercise, medicine goes to muscle
•pH - Medicine is made for acidic environments
•Antacid changes absorption
•Taken alone so it doesn't change the action
, Excipients - ANSWER Fillers and other substances that make up tablets as a pill is
not 100% drug.
Sometimes an excipient enhances the absorption of a drug such as with PCN, which
is not well absorbed from the GI tract.
Adding Na to PCN, which makes it penicillin sodium, will increase the absorption of
PCN
first pass effect - ANSWER •the oral drugs go to liver via portal vein where some of
the drug becomes inactive
•Only happens with oral medications
delayed gastric emptying - ANSWER Food doesn't move like it should
Distribution - ANSWER refers to the movement of the drug from the circulation to
body tissues
Factors affecting distribution - ANSWER -blood flow to tissues
-protein binding
-blood brain barrier
-drug's affinity to the tissue
protein binding - ANSWER Drugs bind with proteins in blood
Some drugs are highly protein bound and other are weakly protein bound
free drugs - ANSWER drugs not bound to protein
Drug Toxicity - ANSWER -Two highly protein bound drugs compete and one might
accumulate and cause a toxicity
-it is important to know if you are administering highly protein bound medications and
monitor albumin levels in patients with liver or kidney disease.
-Some drugs that are highly protein bound include: Warfarin
Furosemide
Diazepam
Drug distribution and albumin - ANSWER -A decrease in albumin levels decrease
the protein-binding sites, which means more of the free drug is circulated.
-This can be fatal with some meds.
-Free drugs are those not bound to protein, which means they are active in the body
and cause a pharmacologic response.
-Older adults, malnourished individuals, and those with liver or kidney disease have
low albumin levels.
Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) - ANSWER -The BBB protects the brain from most
drugs.
-Some meds are able to cross the BBB such as benzodiazepines.
-Drugs can cross the placenta and cause spontaneous abortion or alter fetal growth
and development.
Metabolism - ANSWER •Chemically changes drug to a form that can be excreted
•Liver primary site
Correct Answers 2023
Pharmacokinetics - ANSWER The process in which medications move through the
body
What are the 4 phases of pharmacokinetics? - ANSWER absorption, distribution,
metabolism, excretion
Absorption - ANSWER happens with drug movement from the GI tract into the
bloodstream. Most meds are taken by mouth.
Oral absorption - ANSWER Takes awhile to get absorbed because it has to go
through the GI system
Usually takes 2-4 hours
•Enteric coated
aspirin - hard on stomach
can not crush pill
•Extended release
absorbed in the small intestine
IM absorption - ANSWER Absorbed 1-2 hours
IV absorption - ANSWER Absorbed 30-60 minutes
dissolution - ANSWER Dissolution happens when a po medication breaks down
into particles, disintegrates, and dissolves to combine with liquid so absorption from
the GI tract into the bloodstream occurs.
Liquid medications are absorbed faster than solids. Food can interfere with the
absorption of drugs.
Drugs that resist dissolution - ANSWER Parenteral medications (SL, eyedrops,
inhalants, transdermal) do not pass through the GI tract.
Enteric coated medications are designed to resist disintegration until the pill reaches
the small intestine. EC and sustained release meds should not be crushed.
Factors that affect absorption - ANSWER •Lack of muscle and increased fat
changes medicine absorption
•Food consumption - will change medicine potency (delayed)
•Stress - Exercise, medicine goes to muscle
•pH - Medicine is made for acidic environments
•Antacid changes absorption
•Taken alone so it doesn't change the action
, Excipients - ANSWER Fillers and other substances that make up tablets as a pill is
not 100% drug.
Sometimes an excipient enhances the absorption of a drug such as with PCN, which
is not well absorbed from the GI tract.
Adding Na to PCN, which makes it penicillin sodium, will increase the absorption of
PCN
first pass effect - ANSWER •the oral drugs go to liver via portal vein where some of
the drug becomes inactive
•Only happens with oral medications
delayed gastric emptying - ANSWER Food doesn't move like it should
Distribution - ANSWER refers to the movement of the drug from the circulation to
body tissues
Factors affecting distribution - ANSWER -blood flow to tissues
-protein binding
-blood brain barrier
-drug's affinity to the tissue
protein binding - ANSWER Drugs bind with proteins in blood
Some drugs are highly protein bound and other are weakly protein bound
free drugs - ANSWER drugs not bound to protein
Drug Toxicity - ANSWER -Two highly protein bound drugs compete and one might
accumulate and cause a toxicity
-it is important to know if you are administering highly protein bound medications and
monitor albumin levels in patients with liver or kidney disease.
-Some drugs that are highly protein bound include: Warfarin
Furosemide
Diazepam
Drug distribution and albumin - ANSWER -A decrease in albumin levels decrease
the protein-binding sites, which means more of the free drug is circulated.
-This can be fatal with some meds.
-Free drugs are those not bound to protein, which means they are active in the body
and cause a pharmacologic response.
-Older adults, malnourished individuals, and those with liver or kidney disease have
low albumin levels.
Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) - ANSWER -The BBB protects the brain from most
drugs.
-Some meds are able to cross the BBB such as benzodiazepines.
-Drugs can cross the placenta and cause spontaneous abortion or alter fetal growth
and development.
Metabolism - ANSWER •Chemically changes drug to a form that can be excreted
•Liver primary site
