Principles of Pharmacology: Master Drug Classification, Mechanisms, and Effects

Question 1

Which route of administration involves injecting a drug directly into a vein?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous

Answer

Oral

Answer

Topical

Answer

Intramuscular

Question 2

Which class of drugs is specifically used to lower blood pressure?

Accepted Answer

Antihypertensives

Answer

Antibiotics

Answer

Antidepressants

Answer

Anticoagulants

Question 3

Which mechanism of action is primarily responsible for the anti-inflammatory effects of NSAIDs?

Accepted Answer

Inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis

Answer

Blocking histamine receptors

Answer

Stimulating the release of endorphins

Answer

Increasing blood flow to the affected area

Question 4

What laboratory test is recommended for monitoring the effectiveness and safety of digoxin, a cardiac medication?

Accepted Answer

Serum digoxin level

Answer

Blood pressure

Answer

Heart rate

Answer

Electrocardiogram

Question 5

Which of the following factors does NOT significantly influence drug metabolism in the body?

Accepted Answer

Exercise

Answer

Age

Answer

Genetics

Answer

Pregnancy

Question 6

The primary mechanism of action for vasodilators in antihypertensive therapy is to:

Accepted Answer

Decrease systemic vascular resistance

Answer

Increase cardiac output

Answer

Reduce plasma volume

Answer

Block sodium reabsorption

Question 7

The primary goal of therapeutic drug monitoring is to:

Accepted Answer

Adjust dosage for optimal drug concentration

Answer

Identify potential drug interactions

Answer

Detect drug allergies

Answer

Assess patient compliance

Question 8

Which route of drug administration avoids the gastrointestinal tract?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous

Answer

Oral

Answer

Subcutaneous

Answer

Topical

Question 9

An example of a polypharmacy error is:

Accepted Answer

Prescribing multiple medications for the same condition without considering interactions

Answer

Prescribing a medication without verifying the patient's allergies

Answer

Giving a medication at the wrong time

Answer

Administering the incorrect dose

Question 10

Indicate the most common adverse effect associated with anticholinergics.

Accepted Answer

Dry mouth

Answer

Constipation

Answer

Blurred vision

Answer

Urinary retention

Question 11

Explain the key difference between generic and brand-name drugs.

Accepted Answer

Generic drugs are chemically identical to brand-name drugs but cost less.

Answer

Brand-name drugs are more effective than generic drugs.

Answer

Generic drugs have different active ingredients than brand-name drugs.

Answer

There is no difference between generic and brand-name drugs.

Question 12

What is the primary mechanism of action of beta-blockers in treating hypertension?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of sympathetic nerve impulses

Answer

Activation of parasympathetic nerve impulses

Answer

Blockade of calcium channels

Answer

Stimulation of alpha-adrenergic receptors

Question 13

Which of the following is a potential adverse effect associated with opioid use?

Accepted Answer

Respiratory depression

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Tachycardia

Answer

Diarrhea

Question 14

What does the therapeutic index of a drug represent?

Accepted Answer

The ratio of the effective dose to the toxic dose

Answer

The amount of time it takes for a drug to reach therapeutic levels

Answer

The maximum dose of a drug that can be safely administered

Answer

The frequency with which a drug should be taken

Question 15

Which class of antihypertensive medications is typically recommended as a first-line treatment?

Accepted Answer

ACE inhibitors

Answer

Beta-blockers

Answer

Diuretics

Answer

Calcium channel blockers

Question 16

What is the primary function of cytochrome P450 enzymes in drug metabolism?

Accepted Answer

To detoxify and eliminate drugs from the body

Answer

To activate prodrugs into their active forms

Answer

To bind drugs to plasma proteins

Answer

To transport drugs across cell membranes

Question 17

What is the fundamental difference between generic and brand-name drugs?

Accepted Answer

Generic drugs have the same active ingredients and therapeutic effects as their brand-name counterparts

Answer

Generic drugs are typically more expensive than brand-name drugs

Answer

Generic drugs have fewer side effects than brand-name drugs

Answer

Generic drugs are only available by prescription

Question 18

What is the primary purpose of a drug formulary in healthcare?

Accepted Answer

To standardize and guide drug use within a healthcare organization

Answer

To provide information about drug prices

Answer

To track patient medication history

Answer

To develop new drugs

Question 19

In clinical practice, what is the most important use of understanding drug half-life?

Accepted Answer

Determining how often and when to give a drug

Answer

Predicting the exact time when a drug will reach its peak effect

Answer

Knowing the specific side effects a drug may cause

Question 20

Which mechanism of action involves blocking the action of a neurotransmitter at a receptor site?

Accepted Answer

Competitive antagonism

Answer

Receptor agonism

Answer

Ion channel blockade

Answer

Enzyme inhibition

Question 21

What is a potential adverse effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)?

Accepted Answer

Gastrointestinal bleeding

Answer

Hypotension

Answer

Tachycardia

Answer

Hyperglycemia

Question 22

Which type of medication is used to treat cancer cells?

Accepted Answer

Antineoplastic

Answer

Antibiotic

Answer

Antipyretic

Answer

Antihypertensive

Question 23

Which of the following is a monitoring parameter for patients receiving anticonvulsants?

Accepted Answer

Complete blood count

Answer

Blood pressure

Answer

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Answer

Body mass index (BMI)

Question 24

Which of the following is a high-alert medication?

Accepted Answer

Heparin

Answer

Albuterol

Answer

Acetaminophen

Answer

Potassium chloride

Question 25

When an adverse drug reaction is suspected, what should a nurse do first?

Accepted Answer

Document the reaction and report it to the appropriate healthcare professional.

Answer

Contact the physician immediately.

Answer

Administer an antidote.

Answer

Discontinue the medication immediately.

Question 26

Identify a clinically significant drug interaction and explain its potential consequences.

Accepted Answer

Warfarin and aspirin: Increased risk of bleeding

Accepted Answer

Acetaminophen and alcohol: Increased risk of liver damage

Accepted Answer

Digoxin and verapamil: Decreased heart rate and blood pressure

Question 27

Identify the route of drug administration that involves injecting a drug into a vein.

Accepted Answer

Intravenous

Answer

Oral

Answer

Subcutaneous

Answer

Inhalation

Question 28

Define the term 'mechanism of action' as it relates to pharmacology.

Accepted Answer

The process by which a drug produces its therapeutic effects

Answer

The way the body eliminates a drug

Answer

The form in which a drug is administered

Answer

The duration of action of a drug

Question 29

Provide an example of an adverse effect associated with drug therapy.

Accepted Answer

Nausea

Answer

Therapeutic effect

Answer

Drug interaction

Answer

Contraindication

Question 30

Explain the significance of the therapeutic index in drug therapy.

Accepted Answer

It measures the safety and effectiveness range of the drug

Answer

It represents the duration of action of the drug

Answer

It indicates the potency of the drug

Answer

It reflects the absorption rate of the drug

Question 31

A patient has a known penicillin allergy, which action should the nurse take?

Accepted Answer

Withhold the medication and notify the prescriber

Answer

Administer the medication as ordered

Answer

Administer the medication with an antihistamine

Answer

Test the patient's skin for an allergic reaction

Question 32

Warfarin, an anticoagulant, is classified as a direct-acting drug because it:

Accepted Answer

Binds to clotting factors, preventing their combination and clot formation

Answer

Inhibits clotting factor production in the liver

Answer

Increases clotting factor production

Answer

Activates the fibrinolytic system to dissolve existing clots

Question 33

Which of the following is a potential adverse effect of diuretic use?

Accepted Answer

Hypovolemia

Answer

Hyperkalemia

Answer

Bronchospasm

Answer

Hyperglycemia

Question 34

Which of the following is **NOT** a widely accepted classification system for drugs?

Accepted Answer

Generic name

Answer

Therapeutic

Answer

Chemical structure

Answer

Pharmacokinetic

Question 35

Which of the following is NOT a route of drug administration?

Accepted Answer

Intrapulmonary

Answer

Inhalation

Answer

Intravenous

Answer

Intramuscular

Question 36

The bioavailability of a drug refers to:

Accepted Answer

The percentage of the drug that reaches the systemic circulation unchanged

Answer

The rate at which the drug is absorbed into the body

Answer

The duration of action of the drug

Question 37

Which of the following mechanisms of action is involved in the action of beta-blockers?

Accepted Answer

Competitive inhibition of beta-adrenergic receptors

Answer

Blockade of calcium channels

Answer

Activation of alpha-adrenergic receptors

Question 38

The half-life of a drug is:

Accepted Answer

The time it takes for the concentration of the drug in the body to decrease by 50%

Answer

The duration of action of the drug

Answer

The time it takes for the drug to reach its peak concentration

Question 39

Which of the following nursing interventions is crucial when administering a drug by the intravenous route?

Accepted Answer

Monitoring for extravasation

Answer

Using a large-bore needle

Answer

Diluting the drug in a large volume of fluid

Answer

Administering the drug over an extended period

Question 40

The therapeutic index of a drug refers to:

Accepted Answer

The ratio of the toxic dose to the effective dose

Answer

The minimum dose that produces a therapeutic effect

Answer

The maximum dose that can be safely administered

Answer

The difference between the toxic dose and the effective dose

Question 41

Which of the following is a potential adverse effect of opioids?

Accepted Answer

Respiratory depression

Answer

Seizures

Answer

Tachycardia

Answer

Hypertension

Question 42

The first-pass effect refers to:

Accepted Answer

The initial metabolism of a drug as it passes through the liver

Answer

The distribution of a drug to its target tissues

Answer

The absorption of a drug into the systemic circulation

Question 43

Which of the following is a nonopioid analgesic?

Accepted Answer

Ibuprofen

Answer

Morphine

Answer

Codeine

Question 44

The primary purpose of a drug formulary is to:

Accepted Answer

Standardize drug use and control costs

Answer

Monitor individual patient drug use

Answer

Provide comprehensive information about all available drugs

Answer

Promote research on drug interactions

Question 45

What is the primary mechanism of action for beta-blockers?

Accepted Answer

Blocks beta-adrenergic receptors

Answer

Increases cardiac contractility

Answer

Inhibits the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system

Answer

Dilates blood vessels

Question 46

Which of the following is a potential adverse effect of ACE inhibitors?

Accepted Answer

Hyperkalemia

Answer

Hyperglycemia

Answer

Tachycardia

Answer

Bronchospasm

Question 47

What is the route of administration for subcutaneous injections?

Accepted Answer

Under the skin

Answer

Orally

Answer

Into a vein

Answer

Into a muscle

Question 48

What is the role of the liver in drug metabolism?

Accepted Answer

Metabolizes drugs into inactive forms

Answer

Activates drugs into active forms

Answer

Stores drugs for future use

Answer

Excretes drugs from the body

Question 49

Which of the following is a potential indicator of a medication error?

Accepted Answer

Unexpected patient response

Answer

Medication given at the prescribed time

Answer

Absence of side effects

Answer

Correct dosage administered

Question 50

What is the purpose of drug reconciliation?

Accepted Answer

Ensures accurate medication history and reduces errors

Answer

Calculates appropriate medication dosages

Answer

Monitors patient response to medications

Question 51

Which of the following is a responsibility of a nurse when administering medications?

Accepted Answer

Assess the patient's understanding of their medications

Answer

Order laboratory tests

Answer

Prescribe medications

Question 52

What should a nurse do if they suspect a medication error has occurred?

Accepted Answer

Report the error immediately to the appropriate personnel

Answer

Wait until the end of the shift to report the error

Answer

Ignore the error if it seems minor