PSA Pharmacology Principles

Question 1

What is bioavailability?

Accepted Answer

The fraction of an administered drug dose that reaches systemic circulation in active form

Answer

The drug's shelf life

Answer

How quickly a drug is manufactured

Answer

The number of doses in a package

Question 2

What is a drug's half-life?

Accepted Answer

The time required for the drug's plasma concentration to decrease by 50%

Answer

Half of the recommended dose

Answer

The time until the drug expires

Answer

The time from first dose to full effect

Question 3

What is the therapeutic index?

Accepted Answer

The ratio between the toxic dose and the therapeutic dose — drugs with a narrow index require careful monitoring

Answer

The number of conditions a drug treats

Answer

The maximum number of doses per day

Answer

The drug's effectiveness rating

Question 4

What is the difference between pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics?

Accepted Answer

Pharmacokinetics is what the body does to the drug; pharmacodynamics is what the drug does to the body

Answer

They are the same thing

Answer

Pharmacodynamics studies drug manufacturing

Answer

Pharmacokinetics studies drug marketing

Question 5

What does 'loading dose' mean?

Accepted Answer

A higher initial dose given to rapidly achieve therapeutic drug levels

Answer

The maximum safe dose

Answer

A dose taken before exercise

Answer

The dose that causes side effects

Question 6

What is renal dosing adjustment?

Accepted Answer

Reducing drug doses for patients with kidney impairment to prevent accumulation and toxicity

Answer

Increasing doses for kidney patients

Answer

Stopping all drugs if kidneys are impaired

Answer

Only applies to kidney medications