PN 1005 PHARMACOLOGY EXAMINATION QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
AND VERIFIED CORRECT ANSWERS INCLUDED
1. Q: What is pharmacokinetics? A: Pharmacokinetics is the study of how the
body processes drugs, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and
excretion (ADME).
2. Q: Define bioavailability. A: Bioavailability is the fraction of an
administered drug that reaches systemic circulation in active form.
3. Q: What is the difference between generic and brand name drugs? A:
Generic drugs contain the same active ingredient as brand name drugs but are
typically less expensive. Brand name drugs are developed by the original
manufacturer.
4. Q: What does "half-life" mean in pharmacology? A: Half-life is the time
required for the plasma concentration of a drug to decrease by 50%.
5. Q: What is the therapeutic index? A: The therapeutic index is the ratio
between the toxic dose and the therapeutic dose of a drug, indicating its safety
margin.
6. Q: Define agonist and antagonist. A: An agonist activates receptors to
produce a response, while an antagonist blocks receptors to prevent a response.
7. Q: What is first-pass metabolism? A: First-pass metabolism is the initial
metabolism of a drug by the liver before it reaches systemic circulation,
typically after oral administration.
8. Q: What does "steady state" mean? A: Steady state is achieved when the
rate of drug input equals the rate of drug elimination, typically after 5 half-lives.
9. Q: What is drug tolerance? A: Drug tolerance is the decreased response to a
drug after repeated administration, requiring higher doses for the same effect.
10. Q: Define drug interaction. A: A drug interaction occurs when one drug
affects the activity of another drug when both are administered together.
11. Q: What is the difference between side effects and adverse effects? A:
Side effects are predictable, unwanted effects that occur at therapeutic doses.
Adverse effects are harmful, unintended effects that may be unpredictable.
, 12. Q: What is polypharmacy? A: Polypharmacy refers to the use of multiple
medications by a patient, often increasing the risk of drug interactions.
13. Q: Define contraindication. A: A contraindication is a condition or factor
that makes a particular treatment or procedure inadvisable.
14. Q: What is drug distribution? A: Drug distribution is the process by
which a drug is transported from the systemic circulation to tissues throughout
the body.
15. Q: What factors affect drug absorption? A: Factors include route of
administration, drug formulation, gastric pH, blood flow to absorption site, and
presence of food.
16. Q: What is the blood-brain barrier? A: The blood-brain barrier is a
selective barrier that prevents many drugs from entering the brain tissue.
17. Q: Define pharmacodynamics. A: Pharmacodynamics is the study of what
drugs do to the body, including their mechanisms of action and therapeutic
effects.
18. Q: What is drug clearance? A: Drug clearance is the volume of plasma
from which a drug is completely removed per unit time.
19. Q: What is drug metabolism? A: Drug metabolism is the biochemical
modification of drugs by living organisms, primarily in the liver.
20. Q: Define drug excretion. A: Drug excretion is the elimination of drugs
from the body, primarily through the kidneys, but also through lungs, bile, and
other routes.
Dosage Calculations (Questions 21-35)
21. Q: How do you calculate mg/kg dosing? A: Multiply the patient's weight
in kg by the prescribed dose per kg (mg/kg × weight in kg = total dose).
22. Q: If a patient weighs 70 kg and needs 5 mg/kg of medication, what is
the total dose? A: 70 kg × 5 mg/kg = 350 mg total dose.
23. Q: How do you convert pounds to kilograms? A: Divide pounds by 2.2
(or multiply by 0.45).
24. Q: A patient weighs 154 lbs. What is their weight in kg? A: 154 ÷ 2.2 =
70 kg.
25. Q: How do you calculate units per hour for insulin drips? A: Divide
total units by total hours, or use the formula: (units/mL) × (mL/hr) = units/hr.
AND VERIFIED CORRECT ANSWERS INCLUDED
1. Q: What is pharmacokinetics? A: Pharmacokinetics is the study of how the
body processes drugs, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and
excretion (ADME).
2. Q: Define bioavailability. A: Bioavailability is the fraction of an
administered drug that reaches systemic circulation in active form.
3. Q: What is the difference between generic and brand name drugs? A:
Generic drugs contain the same active ingredient as brand name drugs but are
typically less expensive. Brand name drugs are developed by the original
manufacturer.
4. Q: What does "half-life" mean in pharmacology? A: Half-life is the time
required for the plasma concentration of a drug to decrease by 50%.
5. Q: What is the therapeutic index? A: The therapeutic index is the ratio
between the toxic dose and the therapeutic dose of a drug, indicating its safety
margin.
6. Q: Define agonist and antagonist. A: An agonist activates receptors to
produce a response, while an antagonist blocks receptors to prevent a response.
7. Q: What is first-pass metabolism? A: First-pass metabolism is the initial
metabolism of a drug by the liver before it reaches systemic circulation,
typically after oral administration.
8. Q: What does "steady state" mean? A: Steady state is achieved when the
rate of drug input equals the rate of drug elimination, typically after 5 half-lives.
9. Q: What is drug tolerance? A: Drug tolerance is the decreased response to a
drug after repeated administration, requiring higher doses for the same effect.
10. Q: Define drug interaction. A: A drug interaction occurs when one drug
affects the activity of another drug when both are administered together.
11. Q: What is the difference between side effects and adverse effects? A:
Side effects are predictable, unwanted effects that occur at therapeutic doses.
Adverse effects are harmful, unintended effects that may be unpredictable.
, 12. Q: What is polypharmacy? A: Polypharmacy refers to the use of multiple
medications by a patient, often increasing the risk of drug interactions.
13. Q: Define contraindication. A: A contraindication is a condition or factor
that makes a particular treatment or procedure inadvisable.
14. Q: What is drug distribution? A: Drug distribution is the process by
which a drug is transported from the systemic circulation to tissues throughout
the body.
15. Q: What factors affect drug absorption? A: Factors include route of
administration, drug formulation, gastric pH, blood flow to absorption site, and
presence of food.
16. Q: What is the blood-brain barrier? A: The blood-brain barrier is a
selective barrier that prevents many drugs from entering the brain tissue.
17. Q: Define pharmacodynamics. A: Pharmacodynamics is the study of what
drugs do to the body, including their mechanisms of action and therapeutic
effects.
18. Q: What is drug clearance? A: Drug clearance is the volume of plasma
from which a drug is completely removed per unit time.
19. Q: What is drug metabolism? A: Drug metabolism is the biochemical
modification of drugs by living organisms, primarily in the liver.
20. Q: Define drug excretion. A: Drug excretion is the elimination of drugs
from the body, primarily through the kidneys, but also through lungs, bile, and
other routes.
Dosage Calculations (Questions 21-35)
21. Q: How do you calculate mg/kg dosing? A: Multiply the patient's weight
in kg by the prescribed dose per kg (mg/kg × weight in kg = total dose).
22. Q: If a patient weighs 70 kg and needs 5 mg/kg of medication, what is
the total dose? A: 70 kg × 5 mg/kg = 350 mg total dose.
23. Q: How do you convert pounds to kilograms? A: Divide pounds by 2.2
(or multiply by 0.45).
24. Q: A patient weighs 154 lbs. What is their weight in kg? A: 154 ÷ 2.2 =
70 kg.
25. Q: How do you calculate units per hour for insulin drips? A: Divide
total units by total hours, or use the formula: (units/mL) × (mL/hr) = units/hr.
