WGU D027 Advanced Pathopharmacological
Foundations Objective Assessment 2026/2027 –
Western Governors University – Complete
Exam Material with Questions and Verified
Answers
What are some physical changes from Alzheimer's dementia? - ANSWERS--
Brain shrinks dramatically; nerve cell death and tissue loss
- Cardinal signs: plaques (abnormal clusters of protein fragments) and
tangles (twisted strands of another protein)
How is Alzheimer's treated? - ANSWERS-- There is no cure, but there are
pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments
- Cholinesterase inhibitors
- Memantine (namenda)
What are cholinesterase inhibitors prescribed for? - ANSWERS-- To treat
symptoms related to memory, thinking, language, judgment, and other
processes
- Helps delay or slow the worsening of symptoms
What does cholinesterase inhibitors do? - ANSWERS-- Prevent the breakdown
of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger that is important for learning and
memory
- Supports communication among nerve cells by keeping the acetylcholine
high
,What are some commonly prescribed cholinesterase inhibitors? - ANSWERS--
Donepezil (aricept)
- Galantamine (razadyne)
- Rivastigmine (exeleon)
Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for all stages of Alzheimer's? -
ANSWERS-- Donepezil (aricept)
Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for mild-to-moderate stages of
Alzheimer's? - ANSWERS-- Galantamine (razadyne)
- Rivastigmine (exeleon)
Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's
and Parkinson's? - ANSWERS-- Rivastigmine (exeleon)
What medication combination is used to treat moderate-to-severe
Alzheimer's? - ANSWERS-- Memantine (namenda) and donepezil (aricept)
What is memantine (namenda) used for? - ANSWERS-- Prescribed to improve
memory, attention, reason, language, and the ability to perform simple tasks
- Can be used alone or with other Alzheimer's disease treatments
How does memantine (namenda) work? - ANSWERS-- Regulates the activity
of glutamate, a chemical involved in information processing, storage, and
retrieval
- Improves mental functioning and ability to perform daily activities for some
people
What is the difference in MOA between cholinesterase inhibitors and
memantine (namenda)? - ANSWERS-- Cholinesterase inhibitors prevent the
,breakdown of acetylcholine, whereas memantine (namenda) regulates the
activity of glutamate
What is ataxia? - ANSWERS-- Also known as cerebellum attacks
- Degenerative disease of the nervous system
- Many symptoms mimic those of being drunk (i.e. slurred speech, stumbling,
falling, and incoordination)
What causes the symptoms of ataxia? - ANSWERS-- The damage caused to
the cerebellum, the part of the brain that is responsible for coordinating
movements
- Can also be caused by damage to part of the spinal cord and nerves
What is the treatment for ataxia? - ANSWERS-- No treatment
- In some cases, treating the underlying causes (i.e. stopping medications
that cause ataxia)
- In other cases, it is a result from chicken pox or other viral infections (likely
to resolve on its own)
- Genetic causes/predisposed disposition is usually chronic
What causes ataxia in the pediatric population? - ANSWERS-- Genetic
predisposition
- Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS)
- Prader-Willie Syndrome
What is Fragile X syndrome (FXS)? - ANSWERS-- A genetic condition inherited
from parents which results in various developmental problems
- Rare, but may be dangerous or life-threatening
- Present at birth and is a lifelong condition
, - Rarely requires lab testing or imaging
- Often linked to autism (1/3 do have autism)
- X-linked disorder
Since Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is an X-linked disorder, does a specific
gender have a greater risk? - ANSWERS-- Often, females are carriers and
males are affected
- However, both males and females can be carriers, and both can be affected
by the condition
- Usually milder in females
How did Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) get its name? - ANSWERS-- The gene
Fragile X (the FMR1 gene) is on the X syndrome
- Mutation of the FMR1 gene
What is the difference between Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome
(FXTAS) and Fragile X Syndrome (FXS)? - ANSWERS-- Both caused by
mutations on the FMR1 gene, but they are caused by different changes in
this gene
- FXS is caused by a full mutation
- FXTAS is a premutation
- FXS is present at birth, but display these features in early life
- FXTAS develops in adulthood (usually after age 50) and the symptoms may
appear slowly and develop over the years
- FXTAS individuals are usually healthy with normal cognitive skills prior to
the onset
How is Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS) diagnosed? -
ANSWERS-- Being a FMR1 premutation carrier
Foundations Objective Assessment 2026/2027 –
Western Governors University – Complete
Exam Material with Questions and Verified
Answers
What are some physical changes from Alzheimer's dementia? - ANSWERS--
Brain shrinks dramatically; nerve cell death and tissue loss
- Cardinal signs: plaques (abnormal clusters of protein fragments) and
tangles (twisted strands of another protein)
How is Alzheimer's treated? - ANSWERS-- There is no cure, but there are
pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments
- Cholinesterase inhibitors
- Memantine (namenda)
What are cholinesterase inhibitors prescribed for? - ANSWERS-- To treat
symptoms related to memory, thinking, language, judgment, and other
processes
- Helps delay or slow the worsening of symptoms
What does cholinesterase inhibitors do? - ANSWERS-- Prevent the breakdown
of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger that is important for learning and
memory
- Supports communication among nerve cells by keeping the acetylcholine
high
,What are some commonly prescribed cholinesterase inhibitors? - ANSWERS--
Donepezil (aricept)
- Galantamine (razadyne)
- Rivastigmine (exeleon)
Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for all stages of Alzheimer's? -
ANSWERS-- Donepezil (aricept)
Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for mild-to-moderate stages of
Alzheimer's? - ANSWERS-- Galantamine (razadyne)
- Rivastigmine (exeleon)
Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's
and Parkinson's? - ANSWERS-- Rivastigmine (exeleon)
What medication combination is used to treat moderate-to-severe
Alzheimer's? - ANSWERS-- Memantine (namenda) and donepezil (aricept)
What is memantine (namenda) used for? - ANSWERS-- Prescribed to improve
memory, attention, reason, language, and the ability to perform simple tasks
- Can be used alone or with other Alzheimer's disease treatments
How does memantine (namenda) work? - ANSWERS-- Regulates the activity
of glutamate, a chemical involved in information processing, storage, and
retrieval
- Improves mental functioning and ability to perform daily activities for some
people
What is the difference in MOA between cholinesterase inhibitors and
memantine (namenda)? - ANSWERS-- Cholinesterase inhibitors prevent the
,breakdown of acetylcholine, whereas memantine (namenda) regulates the
activity of glutamate
What is ataxia? - ANSWERS-- Also known as cerebellum attacks
- Degenerative disease of the nervous system
- Many symptoms mimic those of being drunk (i.e. slurred speech, stumbling,
falling, and incoordination)
What causes the symptoms of ataxia? - ANSWERS-- The damage caused to
the cerebellum, the part of the brain that is responsible for coordinating
movements
- Can also be caused by damage to part of the spinal cord and nerves
What is the treatment for ataxia? - ANSWERS-- No treatment
- In some cases, treating the underlying causes (i.e. stopping medications
that cause ataxia)
- In other cases, it is a result from chicken pox or other viral infections (likely
to resolve on its own)
- Genetic causes/predisposed disposition is usually chronic
What causes ataxia in the pediatric population? - ANSWERS-- Genetic
predisposition
- Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS)
- Prader-Willie Syndrome
What is Fragile X syndrome (FXS)? - ANSWERS-- A genetic condition inherited
from parents which results in various developmental problems
- Rare, but may be dangerous or life-threatening
- Present at birth and is a lifelong condition
, - Rarely requires lab testing or imaging
- Often linked to autism (1/3 do have autism)
- X-linked disorder
Since Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is an X-linked disorder, does a specific
gender have a greater risk? - ANSWERS-- Often, females are carriers and
males are affected
- However, both males and females can be carriers, and both can be affected
by the condition
- Usually milder in females
How did Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) get its name? - ANSWERS-- The gene
Fragile X (the FMR1 gene) is on the X syndrome
- Mutation of the FMR1 gene
What is the difference between Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome
(FXTAS) and Fragile X Syndrome (FXS)? - ANSWERS-- Both caused by
mutations on the FMR1 gene, but they are caused by different changes in
this gene
- FXS is caused by a full mutation
- FXTAS is a premutation
- FXS is present at birth, but display these features in early life
- FXTAS develops in adulthood (usually after age 50) and the symptoms may
appear slowly and develop over the years
- FXTAS individuals are usually healthy with normal cognitive skills prior to
the onset
How is Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS) diagnosed? -
ANSWERS-- Being a FMR1 premutation carrier
