Vocab: Bioavailability
The portion of a drug dose that reaches systemic circulation in an active form.
Vocab: Agonist
A drug that binds to a receptor and produces a response.
Vocab: A drug that binds to a receptor and produces a response.
Agonist
Vocab: Antagonist
A drug that binds to a receptor and blocks or dampens a response.
Vocab: A drug that binds to a receptor and blocks or dampens a response.
Antagonist
Vocab: Half-life
Time required for plasma drug concentration to decrease by half.
Vocab: Time required for plasma drug concentration to decrease by half.
Half-life
Vocab: Teratogenicity
The potential of a drug to cause fetal malformations.
Vocab: The potential of a drug to cause fetal malformations.
Teratogenicity
Vocab: Controlled substance schedule
Classification indicating abuse potential and legal controls (Schedules I–V).
Which name reflects the chemical structure of a drug?
A. Brand name
B. Generic name
C. Chemical name
D. Street name
C
Rationale: Chemical names describe molecular composition.
The FDA phase that continually evaluates a drug after approval is:
A. Phase 0
B. Phase 1
C. Phase 3
D. Phase 4
D (Phase 4)
Rationale: Phase 4 is post-marketing surveillance for long-term effects.
Schedule II controlled substances are characterized by:
A. No accepted medical use and high abuse potential
B. High abuse potential but accepted medical uses and severe dependence risk
C. Low abuse potential and OTC availability
D. No regulatory controls
B
Rationale: Schedule II (e.g., narcotics) have high abuse potential but medical uses.
True or False?
Generic and brand name drugs are bioequivalent and have the same therapeutic effect.
True
Rationale: Generics are required to be bioequivalent to brands.
Which route of administration bypasses the first-pass effect?
A. Oral (PO)
B. Intravenous (IV)
C. Enteric tablet
D. Sublingual that is swallowed
B. (IV)
Rationale: IV delivers drug directly into systemic circulation, avoiding hepatic first-pass.
Protein binding affects distribution because:
A. Bound drug is immediately active at receptor sites.
B. Tightly bound drug is released slowly, reducing free active drug.
C. Protein binding increases excretion rate.
D. Protein binding only occurs in the brain
B.
Rationale: Only unbound (free) drug is pharmacologically active; high binding prolongs release.
The nurse explains “first-pass effect” as:
A. A drug’s effect during the first dose only.
B. Hepatic metabolism of oral drugs lowering the amount that reaches circulation.
C. A renal filtration mechanism.
D. A GI motility phenomenon only.
B
Rationale: First-pass hepatic metabolism reduces oral bioavailability.
An agonist drug:
A. Blocks receptor activity.
B. Binds and produces the intended effect.
C. Is always toxic.
D. Prevents absorption.
B
Rationale: Agonists activate receptors to elicit response.
A patient asks why a brand-name drug costs more than a generic. The nurse responds:
A. Brand names are more effective.
B. Brand names have exclusive patent protection and marketing costs.
C. Generics are unsafe.
D. Insurance requires brand always.
B
Rationale: Patents and R&D/marketing increase brand cost; generics are bioequivalent.
True or False?
The placenta and breast milk act as barriers that fully prevent drug passage to the fetus/baby.
False.
Rationale: Many drugs cross these barriers; some can affect fetus or infant.
Which statement about half-life is correct?
A. It is the time it takes for a drug to start working.
B. It is the time required for the plasma concentration to fall by 50%.
C. It always equals one hour.
D. It is unrelated to dosing frequency.
B
Rationale: Half-life determines dosing intervals and accumulation.
Hepatic metabolism primarily accomplishes:
A. Distribution of drugs to tissues.
B. Biotransformation to more water-soluble metabolites for excretion.
C. Immediate renal excretion without change.
D. Enhancing drug potency.
B
Rationale: Liver enzymes metabolize drugs to promote elimination.
Which factor does NOT influence individual drug responses?
A. Age and weight
B. Genetics and gender
C. Time of day and diet
D. The drug’s brand name only
D
Rationale: Brand name alone doesn’t change pharmacodynamics; human factors influence responses.
A nurse counsels a patient that OTC drugs:
A. Are always safe and free of interactions.
B. May interact with prescriptions and should be reported to providers.
C. Don’t need to be disclosed.
D. Are regulated the same as prescription medications for all purposes.
B
Rationale: OTCs can interact and have side effects; they should be disclosed.