NURS 3100 Exam 1 Practice

Which organ is most responsible for the first-pass effect?

1. Bladder

2. Kidneys

3. Liver

4. Stomach

The correct answer is: Bladder

The correct answer is the liver. The first-pass effect refers to the metabolism of a drug as it passes through the liver before entering systemic circulation. The liver is responsible for metabolizing many substances, including drugs, that are absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract before they reach the systemic circulation. This process can greatly reduce the bioavailability of the drug, as it may be metabolized into inactive forms before it can exert its intended effect. The other options are not responsible for the first-pass effect. The bladder is an organ involved in the storage and elimination of urine, the kidneys are responsible for filtering the blood and regulating fluid balance, and the stomach plays a role in digestion but is not primarily responsible for the first-pass effect.