1
400 NCLEX Pharmacology Practice Questions with
Answers – Lilley 10th Edition Test Bank
1. The nurse is administering a drug that is highly protein-bound. Which lab value is most
important to assess?
a. Hematocrit
b. Albumin level
c. Blood glucose
d. Creatinine
ANS: B
Drugs that are highly protein-bound require albumin to bind; low albumin increases free drug
and risk of toxicity.
DIF: Knowledge
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
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2. Which organ is primarily responsible for drug metabolism?
a. Kidney
b. Lungs
c. Liver
d. Spleen
ANS: C
The liver contains enzymes that metabolize most drugs.
DIF: Knowledge
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Adaptation
3. A nurse is explaining the half-life of a drug to a patient. Which statement is correct?
a. “It is the time it takes for the drug to be absorbed.”
b. “It is the time it takes for half the drug to be eliminated.”
c. “It tells us how strong the drug is.”
d. “It measures how fast the drug reaches the bloodstream.”
ANS: B
The half-life is the time required for half of the drug to be removed from the body.
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DIF: Comprehension
TOP: Nursing Process: Teaching/Learning
MSC: NCLEX: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
4. What is the primary route for excretion of most drugs?
a. Intestines
b. Liver
c. Kidneys
d. Lungs
ANS: C
The kidneys excrete most drugs and their metabolites.
DIF: Knowledge
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
5. Which term describes the ratio between a drug's therapeutic and toxic doses?
a. Bioavailability
b. Half-life
c. Potency
d. Therapeutic index
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ANS: D
The therapeutic index compares effective dose to toxic dose; a narrow index indicates high risk.
DIF: Knowledge
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
6. The nurse is monitoring a patient receiving digoxin. Which lab value is most concerning?
a. Potassium 3.1 mEq/L
b. Sodium 138 mEq/L
c. Chloride 100 mEq/L
d. Calcium 9.2 mg/dL
ANS: A
Low potassium increases the risk of digoxin toxicity.
DIF: Analysis
TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: NCLEX: Reduction of Risk Potential
7. A drug that mimics the effect of the sympathetic nervous system is classified as a:
a. Cholinergic antagonist
b. Adrenergic agonist
400 NCLEX Pharmacology Practice Questions with
Answers – Lilley 10th Edition Test Bank
1. The nurse is administering a drug that is highly protein-bound. Which lab value is most
important to assess?
a. Hematocrit
b. Albumin level
c. Blood glucose
d. Creatinine
ANS: B
Drugs that are highly protein-bound require albumin to bind; low albumin increases free drug
and risk of toxicity.
DIF: Knowledge
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
, 2
2. Which organ is primarily responsible for drug metabolism?
a. Kidney
b. Lungs
c. Liver
d. Spleen
ANS: C
The liver contains enzymes that metabolize most drugs.
DIF: Knowledge
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Adaptation
3. A nurse is explaining the half-life of a drug to a patient. Which statement is correct?
a. “It is the time it takes for the drug to be absorbed.”
b. “It is the time it takes for half the drug to be eliminated.”
c. “It tells us how strong the drug is.”
d. “It measures how fast the drug reaches the bloodstream.”
ANS: B
The half-life is the time required for half of the drug to be removed from the body.
, 3
DIF: Comprehension
TOP: Nursing Process: Teaching/Learning
MSC: NCLEX: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
4. What is the primary route for excretion of most drugs?
a. Intestines
b. Liver
c. Kidneys
d. Lungs
ANS: C
The kidneys excrete most drugs and their metabolites.
DIF: Knowledge
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
5. Which term describes the ratio between a drug's therapeutic and toxic doses?
a. Bioavailability
b. Half-life
c. Potency
d. Therapeutic index
, 4
ANS: D
The therapeutic index compares effective dose to toxic dose; a narrow index indicates high risk.
DIF: Knowledge
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
6. The nurse is monitoring a patient receiving digoxin. Which lab value is most concerning?
a. Potassium 3.1 mEq/L
b. Sodium 138 mEq/L
c. Chloride 100 mEq/L
d. Calcium 9.2 mg/dL
ANS: A
Low potassium increases the risk of digoxin toxicity.
DIF: Analysis
TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: NCLEX: Reduction of Risk Potential
7. A drug that mimics the effect of the sympathetic nervous system is classified as a:
a. Cholinergic antagonist
b. Adrenergic agonist
