All Free Nursing Pharmacology MCQs with Answers
Every Nursing Pharmacology question in the bank, across all chapters, each with the correct answer and a written explanation. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
450 questions · page 21 of 23
- A. It describes how a drug changes body functions
- B. It describes how the body absorbs and removes a drug
- C. It describes how drugs are named and classified
- D. It describes how patients respond emotionally to drugs
Explanation: Pharmacokinetics is what the body does to a drug through absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion.
Correct answer: It describes how the body absorbs and removes a drug- A. It describes the movement of drugs through the body
- B. It describes the breakdown of drugs in the liver
- C. It describes the effects and actions of drugs
- D. It describes the removal of drugs by the kidneys
Explanation: Pharmacodynamics explains how a drug produces its effects, including receptor actions and dose response.
Correct answer: It describes the effects and actions of drugs- A. First-pass metabolism
- B. Renal tubular secretion
- C. Plasma protein binding
- D. Glomerular filtration
Explanation: First-pass metabolism occurs when an orally absorbed drug passes through the intestinal wall and liver before entering the general…
Correct answer: First-pass metabolism- A. Less free drug and reduced drug action
- B. More free drug and increased toxicity risk
- C. Slower absorption and delayed drug action
- D. Faster excretion and shorter drug action
Explanation: Albumin binds many drugs in the blood and limits the amount that is pharmacologically active.
Correct answer: More free drug and increased toxicity risk- A. Reach its maximum therapeutic level
- B. Begin producing its first therapeutic effect
- C. Fall to one half of its original level
- D. Become completely removed from the body
Explanation: Half-life is the time needed for the plasma concentration of a drug to decrease by 50 percent.
Correct answer: Fall to one half of its original level- A. The patient prefers tablets over capsules
- B. The patient missed breakfast before the dose
- C. The patient has a new prescription for another drug
- D. The patient reports mild thirst after walking
Explanation: Drugs with a narrow therapeutic index have a small difference between effective and toxic concentrations, so interactions can cause harm.
Correct answer: The patient has a new prescription for another drug- A. Administer the drug with extra water
- B. Hold the drug and verify the allergy history
- C. Give the drug after checking the blood pressure
- D. Ask the patient to report swelling after the dose
Explanation: Facial swelling may indicate a serious hypersensitivity reaction, so the nurse should withhold the medication and clarify the allergy with…
Correct answer: Hold the drug and verify the allergy history- A. Severe constipation and urinary retention
- B. Bleeding such as black stools or gum bleeding
- C. Increased appetite and rapid weight gain
- D. Dry skin and reduced body temperature
Explanation: Warfarin impairs clotting, while many nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs increase gastrointestinal irritation and affect platelet…
Correct answer: Bleeding such as black stools or gum bleeding- A. Tolerance
- B. Idiosyncratic reaction
- C. Drug allergy
- D. Therapeutic antagonism
Explanation: Tolerance is a reduced response to a drug after repeated exposure, causing a need for a larger dose to achieve the previous effect.
Correct answer: Tolerance- A. Use the patient's room number as the identifier
- B. Compare the prescription with the medication label
- C. Ask a family member to confirm the medication
- D. Document administration before giving the medication
Explanation: The nurse should compare the medication label with the prescription and verify the patient, drug, dose, route and time before…
Correct answer: Compare the prescription with the medication label- A. Generic name
- B. Trade name
- C. Chemical name
- D. Official name
Explanation: The trade name is the manufacturer's chosen brand name for marketing a drug.
Correct answer: Trade name- A. Enteric-coated tablet
- B. Sublingual tablet
- C. Sustained-release capsule
- D. Scored oral tablet
Explanation: A sublingual tablet dissolves under the tongue and enters the bloodstream through the oral mucosa.
Correct answer: Sublingual tablet- A. Therapeutic effect
- B. Idiosyncratic reaction
- C. Toxic effect
- D. Withdrawal effect
Explanation: The therapeutic effect is the expected, beneficial response to a medication.
Correct answer: Therapeutic effect- A. Anaphylaxis
- B. Tolerance
- C. Therapeutic response
- D. Physical dependence
Explanation: Sudden wheezing and hypotension after a drug suggest anaphylaxis, a life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction.
Correct answer: Anaphylaxis- A. Administer the drug with food
- B. Hold the drug and contact the prescriber
- C. Give half the prescribed dose
- D. Ask the patient to sign a refusal form
Explanation: A contraindication is a condition in which a medication may cause serious harm, so the drug should be withheld and the prescriber…
Correct answer: Hold the drug and contact the prescriber- A. The medicines may have additive effects
- B. The new drug has no systemic absorption
- C. The symptom proves drug dependence
- D. The medicines must have identical names
Explanation: Drug interactions may produce additive effects when medicines with similar actions, such as central nervous system depression, are…
Correct answer: The medicines may have additive effects- A. Physical dependence
- B. Drug antagonism
- C. Placebo response
- D. First-pass metabolism
Explanation: Physical dependence causes withdrawal symptoms when a drug is stopped after continued use.
Correct answer: Physical dependence- A. Crush it and mix it with water
- B. Chew it thoroughly before swallowing
- C. Swallow it whole with water
- D. Dissolve it in hot tea first
Explanation: An enteric coating protects the drug from stomach acid or protects the stomach from the drug, so the tablet should be swallowed whole.
Correct answer: Swallow it whole with water- A. It bypasses gastrointestinal absorption
- B. It is always safer than oral therapy
- C. It cannot cause adverse reactions
- D. It is completely removed by the kidneys
Explanation: An intravenous drug enters the bloodstream directly and bypasses gastrointestinal absorption, so its onset is often rapid.
Correct answer: It bypasses gastrointestinal absorption- A. Wait for symptoms before acting
- B. Assess the patient and notify the prescriber
- C. Document only after the next shift
- D. Ask the patient to walk to reduce anxiety
Explanation: The nurse should immediately assess the patient, maintain safety, and notify the prescriber and appropriate senior staff according to…
Correct answer: Assess the patient and notify the prescriber