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Principles of Pharmacology – ATI Questions and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
What does the term "half-life" of a drug refer to?✔✔The time it takes for half of the drug to be eliminated from the body
Why should nurses understand the mechanism of action of a medication?✔✔To anticipate therapeutic effects and potential side effects
What is the term for the movement of a drug from the bloodstream into body tissues?✔✔Distribution
What organ is primarily responsible for metabolizing medications?✔✔The liver
What is the process by which drugs are removed from the body called?✔✔Excretion
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Which organ is most responsible for the excretion of drugs?✔✔The kidneys
What does it mean if a drug has a narrow therapeutic range?✔✔It requires close monitoring because the difference between therapeutic and toxic levels is small
What is the term for the desired or intended effect of a drug?✔✔Therapeutic effect
What should a nurse assess before giving a medication that lowers blood pressure?✔✔The patient's current blood pressure
Why is it important to know the onset of a medication?✔✔To understand how soon the medication will begin to work
What is a loading dose?✔✔An initial higher dose of a drug given to quickly reach therapeutic levels 2 / 3
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What is meant by drug tolerance?✔✔A reduced response to a drug after repeated use
Why must some medications be taken with food?✔✔To reduce gastrointestinal irritation or improve absorption
What is drug toxicity?✔✔The condition of having harmful effects due to excessive drug levels
What is the term for an unexpected and abnormal reaction to a drug?✔✔Idiosyncratic reaction
What is the first step in preventing medication errors?✔✔Verifying the correct patient and the medication order
What is pharmacodynamics?✔✔The study of how drugs affect the body
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