Question 1

When monitoring the patient receiving an intravenous infusion to reduce blood pressure,the nurse notes that the patient's blood pressure is extremely low,and the patient is lethargic and difficult to awaken.This would be classified as which type of adverse drug reaction?

Accepted Answer

This is an example of a pharmacologic reaction, which is a response to a medication that is expected based on the drug's known pharmacological properties. In this case, the intravenous infusion was intended to lower the patient's blood pressure, but the patient's response was excessive and resulted in extremely low blood pressure and lethargy. This is a known potential adverse effect of this type of medication.

Question 2

The nurse is administering medications to the patient who is in renal failure resulting from end-stage renal disease.The nurse is aware that patients with kidney failure would most likely have problems with which pharmacokinetic phase?

Accepted Answer

In renal failure, the kidneys are unable to effectively excrete medications, leading to a high risk for drug toxicity. Patients in renal failure often require a dose adjustment or a longer dosing interval to avoid accumulation of medications in the body. Absorption, distribution, and metabolism are not typically affected by renal failure.

Question 3

When given an intravenous medication,the patient says to the nurse,"I usually take pills.Why does this medication have to be given in the arm?" What is the nurse's best answer?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous (IV) medication is delivered directly into the bloodstream, allowing it to take effect very quickly. This is because the medication does not have to go through the digestive system or be absorbed by tissues before it reaches the target site. In contrast, pills can take longer to have an effect because they have to be broken down and absorbed by the body first.

Question 4

A patient who has advanced cancer is receiving opioid medications around the clock to keep him comfortable as he nears the end of his life.Which term best describes this type of therapy?

Accepted Answer

Palliative therapy is focused on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life for patients with serious or life-limiting illnesses, such as advanced cancer. The use of opioids for pain management is a common aspect of palliative therapy. Maintenance therapy is typically used for chronic conditions and involves ongoing treatment to prevent disease progression, whereas empiric therapy involves treating a suspected infection without first identifying the specific causative agent. Supplemental therapy is used in addition to primary treatment to enhance its effects or manage its side effects.

Question 5

When administering drugs,the nurse remembers that the duration of action of a drug is defined as which of these?

Accepted Answer

Duration of action is the time during which drug's concentration is sufficient to elicit a therapeutic response. The other options do not define duration of action. A drug's onset of action is the time it takes for the drug to elicit a therapeutic response. A drug's peak effect is the time it takes for the drug to reach its maximum therapeutic response. Elimination is the length of time it takes to remove a drug from circulation.

Question 6

When administering a new medication to a patient,the nurse reads that it is highly protein bound.Assuming that the patient's albumin levels are normal,the nurse would expect which result,as compared to a medication that is not highly protein bound?

Accepted Answer

Highly protein bound medications remain in circulation for a longer period of time because they are bound to albumin and cannot be filtered through the kidneys as easily. Therefore, the duration of action of the medication will be longer compared to a medication that is not highly protein bound.

Question 7

A drug dose that delivers 250 mg has a half-life of 5 hours.Identify how much drug will remain in the body after one half-life._______

Accepted Answer

The answer of A drug dose that delivers 250 mg...

Question 8

The patient is complaining of a headache and asks the nurse which over-the-counter medication form would work the fastest to help reduce the pain.Which medication form will the nurse suggest?

Accepted Answer

Powders dissolve faster than other forms, allowing for quicker absorption and relief.

Question 9

The patient is experiencing chest pain and needs to take a sublingual form of nitroglycerin.Where does the nurse instruct the patient to place the tablet?

Accepted Answer

Nitroglycerin tablets are meant to be dissolved under the tongue for rapid absorption into the bloodstream to relieve chest pain. Placing the tablet on top of the tongue, at the back of the throat, or in the space between the cheek and the gum will not allow for the same rapid absorption and may lead to ineffective treatment of chest pain.

Question 10

The nurse is administering parenteral drugs.Which statement is true regarding parenteral drugs?

Accepted Answer

Parenteral drugs bypass the first-pass effect, which refers to the initial metabolism of drugs by the liver before they enter the systemic circulation. This allows for a higher bioavailability and quicker onset of action compared to oral drugs.

Question 11

The nurse will be injecting a drug into the fatty tissue of the patient's abdomen.Which route does this describe?

Accepted Answer

Injecting a drug into the fatty tissue of the patient's abdomen describes subcutaneous injection.

Question 12

The patient is receiving two different drugs.At current dosages and dosage forms,both drugs are absorbed into the circulation in identical amounts.Which term is used to identify this principle?

Accepted Answer

The term used to identify this principle is "bioequivalent", which means that two drugs are identical in terms of their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, including their absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination. Therefore, they both achieve the same effect in the body and have the same efficacy and safety profile.

Question 13

The nurse is reviewing pharmacology terms for a group of newly graduated nurses.Which sentence defines a drug's half-life?

Accepted Answer

The half-life of a drug is the time required for half of the original amount of a drug to be metabolized and eliminated from the body. This helps to determine the dosing schedule for medications and the length of time it will take for the drug to be completely eliminated. Option A is incorrect because it pertains to the therapeutic response of the drug, not its half-life. Option B is incorrect because it refers to the drug reaching the target cells, not its elimination from the body. Option D is incorrect because it describes the absorption of the drug, not its half-life.

Question 14

When reviewing the mechanism of action of a specific drug,the nurse reads that the drug works by selective enzyme interaction.Which of these processes describes selective enzyme interaction?

Accepted Answer

Selective enzyme interaction refers to a drug binding to an enzyme molecule and either inhibiting or enhancing its action within the target cells. This is often achieved by blocking the enzyme's active site or altering its shape, which can either prevent or facilitate its role in specific cellular processes. This mechanism of action is common for many drugs that target enzyme pathways, such as anticoagulants or certain antibiotics. Options A, B, and C do not accurately reflect this process.

Quiz 2: Pharmacologic Principles