RNSG 1301 Pharmacology
Nightingale College
2025/2026
Exam Prep Guide
(Expert Verified Questions and
Answers)
Plus A+ Grade Guarantee
, RNSG 1301 Pharmacology
1. Additive Effect 1+1=2 pharm drug interaction: The effect of two chemicals is equal to the sum
(Response?) of the effect of the two chemicals taken separately. This is usually due to the two
chemicals acting on the body in the same way. Two drugs from a similar therapeutic
class produce a combined summation response. This is used extensively when
treating hypertension. A diuretic may be used to lower systolic blood pressure and
a beta blocker may be added to the regimen to produce an additional reduction.
combined the two drugs produce a larger reduction than they do separately.
Keeping the doses low, yet combining them produces a larger effect and cuts
down on potential adverse events. PP: Drug Interactions: The response elicited by
combined drugs = the combined responses of the individual drugs 1 + 1 = 2
2. Adverse Reaction pg 66 adverse drug effect is an undesirable and potentially harmful action caused
by the administration of medication. (Adverse events). Serious effects that are
harmful. May be specific to a single type of tissue or affect multiple organ systems.
Worse than side effect. As dose increases, risk of adverse effects increase. Teach
patients about adverse effects to help prevent them. DFA monitors for new adverse
events after approval and marketed. (Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS)
to report suspected adverse effects. PP: Drugs affect other sites in the body in
addition to that for which they were prescribed & evoke a variety of responses in
these sites. Adverse affects of drugs: (Side effects, Toxic Effects, Allergic reactions,
Idiosyncratic effects).
3. Agonist 1+1 = less than: Drug interaction: The sum of two chemicals is actually less than
the sum of the effect of the two drugs taken independently of each other. This is
because the second chemical increases the excretion of the first, or even directly
blocks its toxic actions. Agonist, partial agonists, and antagonists compete for
cellular receptors and can modify drug action. A drug that activates a receptor and
produces the SAME type of response as the endogenous substance. Sometimes
produce a greater maximal response than the endogenous chemical. PP: Giving
> 1 drug with same action as the therapeutic effect (cumulative effect) Pharma-
codynamics: Receptor theory: Drugs that produce a therapeutic response. May be
strong or weak; response varies by drug & other factors. Most are not specific to
2025/2026
, RNSG 1301 Pharmacology
one site but produce similar effects on similar cells through the body. These are
nonspecific or nonselective. Agonists bind to the receptor for drug effect.
4. Antagonist, an- Agonist, partial agonist, and antagonists compete for cellular receptors and can
tagonistic drug ef- modify drug action. Antagonist is a drug that occupy a receptor and prevent the
fect endogenous chemical from binding to produce its action. Often competes with
agonist for receptor binding sites. May be used when the body is producing too
much of a response from an endogenous chemical or from a drug over dose. (no
intrinsic activity-actions observed after admin are caused by lack of agonist action).
Not all antagonist bind to receptors, some may slow absorption of an agonist,
resulting in less pharm effect. May change the ph to neutralize the agonist before
absorbed. The antagonist-agonist relationship explain many of the drug-drug and
drug-food interactions that occur. PP:Block a receptor site from agonist (oppose
effect of another drug, of histamine (allergy), of gastric acid (ulcers), etc.) Drug
Interactions: Antagonism: A drug inhibits the effect of another drug but usually
has no activity of its own 1 + 0 = 0.
5. Depressant A depressant, or central depressant, is a drug or endogenous compound that low-
ers neurotransmission levels, which is to depress or reduce arousal or stimulation,
in various areas
6. *Enteric* Coating Oral Meds: _____ coating is a hard, waxy drug covering that helps to protect the
(EC) drug from strongly acidic stomach contents, and is designed to dissolve in the
alkaline environment of the small intestine. Some drugs use this coating because
the drug agents will irritate the stomach mucousa if dissolved in the stomach. To
insure the above listed information, these drugs should never be chewed, crushed,
or opened. PP: Intended to prevent dissolving in stomach; dissolve in intestine
instead to prevent injury to stomach lining. Onset of action is longer.
Labeled as EC.
7. Brand Name, A drug's Brand Name, Trade Name, or Proprietary Product is assigned by the
Trade Name, or pharmaceutical company marketing the drug. This name is short and easy for
patients to remember (and ask for by name). There may be several different of
2025/2026
Nightingale College
2025/2026
Exam Prep Guide
(Expert Verified Questions and
Answers)
Plus A+ Grade Guarantee
, RNSG 1301 Pharmacology
1. Additive Effect 1+1=2 pharm drug interaction: The effect of two chemicals is equal to the sum
(Response?) of the effect of the two chemicals taken separately. This is usually due to the two
chemicals acting on the body in the same way. Two drugs from a similar therapeutic
class produce a combined summation response. This is used extensively when
treating hypertension. A diuretic may be used to lower systolic blood pressure and
a beta blocker may be added to the regimen to produce an additional reduction.
combined the two drugs produce a larger reduction than they do separately.
Keeping the doses low, yet combining them produces a larger effect and cuts
down on potential adverse events. PP: Drug Interactions: The response elicited by
combined drugs = the combined responses of the individual drugs 1 + 1 = 2
2. Adverse Reaction pg 66 adverse drug effect is an undesirable and potentially harmful action caused
by the administration of medication. (Adverse events). Serious effects that are
harmful. May be specific to a single type of tissue or affect multiple organ systems.
Worse than side effect. As dose increases, risk of adverse effects increase. Teach
patients about adverse effects to help prevent them. DFA monitors for new adverse
events after approval and marketed. (Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS)
to report suspected adverse effects. PP: Drugs affect other sites in the body in
addition to that for which they were prescribed & evoke a variety of responses in
these sites. Adverse affects of drugs: (Side effects, Toxic Effects, Allergic reactions,
Idiosyncratic effects).
3. Agonist 1+1 = less than: Drug interaction: The sum of two chemicals is actually less than
the sum of the effect of the two drugs taken independently of each other. This is
because the second chemical increases the excretion of the first, or even directly
blocks its toxic actions. Agonist, partial agonists, and antagonists compete for
cellular receptors and can modify drug action. A drug that activates a receptor and
produces the SAME type of response as the endogenous substance. Sometimes
produce a greater maximal response than the endogenous chemical. PP: Giving
> 1 drug with same action as the therapeutic effect (cumulative effect) Pharma-
codynamics: Receptor theory: Drugs that produce a therapeutic response. May be
strong or weak; response varies by drug & other factors. Most are not specific to
2025/2026
, RNSG 1301 Pharmacology
one site but produce similar effects on similar cells through the body. These are
nonspecific or nonselective. Agonists bind to the receptor for drug effect.
4. Antagonist, an- Agonist, partial agonist, and antagonists compete for cellular receptors and can
tagonistic drug ef- modify drug action. Antagonist is a drug that occupy a receptor and prevent the
fect endogenous chemical from binding to produce its action. Often competes with
agonist for receptor binding sites. May be used when the body is producing too
much of a response from an endogenous chemical or from a drug over dose. (no
intrinsic activity-actions observed after admin are caused by lack of agonist action).
Not all antagonist bind to receptors, some may slow absorption of an agonist,
resulting in less pharm effect. May change the ph to neutralize the agonist before
absorbed. The antagonist-agonist relationship explain many of the drug-drug and
drug-food interactions that occur. PP:Block a receptor site from agonist (oppose
effect of another drug, of histamine (allergy), of gastric acid (ulcers), etc.) Drug
Interactions: Antagonism: A drug inhibits the effect of another drug but usually
has no activity of its own 1 + 0 = 0.
5. Depressant A depressant, or central depressant, is a drug or endogenous compound that low-
ers neurotransmission levels, which is to depress or reduce arousal or stimulation,
in various areas
6. *Enteric* Coating Oral Meds: _____ coating is a hard, waxy drug covering that helps to protect the
(EC) drug from strongly acidic stomach contents, and is designed to dissolve in the
alkaline environment of the small intestine. Some drugs use this coating because
the drug agents will irritate the stomach mucousa if dissolved in the stomach. To
insure the above listed information, these drugs should never be chewed, crushed,
or opened. PP: Intended to prevent dissolving in stomach; dissolve in intestine
instead to prevent injury to stomach lining. Onset of action is longer.
Labeled as EC.
7. Brand Name, A drug's Brand Name, Trade Name, or Proprietary Product is assigned by the
Trade Name, or pharmaceutical company marketing the drug. This name is short and easy for
patients to remember (and ask for by name). There may be several different of
2025/2026
