Advanced Pharmacology WGU D116 Final Competency
Certification Study Guide Exam Questions with Certified for
Accuracy Answers 2025/2026
A patient has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) for 10 years and has a
history of 3 periods of neurologic dysfunction lasting several weeks separated by long
periods of full recovery. In the past 6 months, the patient has had a prolonged period of
neurologic
dysfunction without remission. The nurse understands that the patient may have which
MS subtype correct answer
a) Primary progressive MS
b) Progressive-relapsing MS
c) Relapsing-remitting MS
d) Secondary progressive MS
d) Secondary progressive MS
A patient has been diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis for 1 year and
reports a recent brief period of being symptom-free. The nurse will tell the patient that
this indicates what correct answer
a) Hope for long-term remission
b) Temporary improvement
c) Development of relapsing-remitting MS
d) Development of secondary progressive MS
b) Temporary improvement
A patient is being treated with interferon beta-1a [Avonex] for relapsing-remitting MS.
The patient calls the clinic to report headache, fever, chills, and muscle aches after
administering a dose. What will the nurse recommend correct answer
a) Acetaminophen or ibuprofen
b) Asking the provider to order a complete blood count (CBC)
,c) Coming to the clinic for evaluation for leukoencephalopathy
d) Discontinuing the drug immediately
a) Acetaminophen or ibuprofen
A patient with multiple sclerosis is to begin treatment with interferon beta. The patient
comes to the clinic to have pretreatment laboratory tests. Which statement by the
patient indicates a need for further teaching about these tests correct answer
a) "After the first year of treatment, I will need once yearly blood work."
b) "I will need to have lab tests done every 3 months for the first year."
c) "If my liver function tests are abnormal, I will need to stop using this drug."
d) "These lab tests will measure liver and bone marrow function."
a) "After the first year of treatment, I will need once yearly blood work."
A patient administers interferon beta-1a SQ [Rebif] 22 mcg/0.5 mL three times each
week. The patient calls the nurse to report unrelieved itching and erythema at the
injection site, despite the use of topical hydrocortisone for several weeks. What will the
nurse tell this patient to do correct answer
a) Apply ice to the injection site before and after the injection.
b) Ask the provider to reduce the dose of interferon beta to 8.8 mcg/0.2 mL.
c) Discuss using a prescription-strength hydrocortisone product with the provider.
d) Take oral diphenhydramine [Benadryl].
d) Take oral diphenhydramine [Benadryl].
A patient has received an initial dose of glatiramer acetate [Copaxone] for relapsing-
remitting multiple sclerosis. The nurse notes that the patient appears flushed and
anxious and has urticaria. The patient reports palpitations, chest pain, and a feeling of
laryngeal constriction. What will the nurse do correct answer
a) Obtain an order for epinephrine to treat a hypersensitivity reaction.
,b) Prepare to provide cardiorespiratory support.
c) Report a possible cardiotoxic episode to the provider.d.
d) Stay with the patient until this self-limiting episode passes.
d) Stay with the patient until this self-limiting episode passes.
A patient who stopped taking teriflunomide [Aubagio] 1 year prior tells the nurse that she
has just found out she is pregnant. Which action by the nurse is correct correct answer
a) Contact the provider to obtain an order for serum drug levels.
b) Reassure the patient that her fetus should be safe.
c) Suggest that she consider an abortion.
d) Tell her that she will not be able to nurse her baby when it is born.
a) Contact the provider to obtain an order for serum drug levels.
A patient is about to begin therapy with fingolimod [Gilenya] to treat multiple sclerosis.
The nurse learns that the patient has not had chickenpox or the varicella zoster virus
(VZV) vaccine. What will the nurse do correct answer
a) Advise the patient to avoid individuals with chickenpox.
d) Give the VZV vaccine with the initial dose of fingolimod.
c) Give the VZV vaccine and tell the patient to begin using fingolimod in 1 month.
d) Obtain an order for a VZV antibody test.
d) Obtain an order for a VZV antibody test.
A nurse provides teaching for a 25-year-old patient who will receive mitoxantrone
[Novantrone] for worsening relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Which statement by
the patient indicates a need for further teaching correct answer
a) "I may experience cardiac side effects several years after receiving this drug."
b) "I should report fever, chills, cough, and hoarseness immediately."
, c) "I will need an infusion of this medication once weekly."
d) "I will need a liver function test and a pregnancy test before each dose."
c) "I will need an infusion of this medication once weekly."
*** is given every 3 months
A patient who has recently begun taking interferon beta reports feeling depressed.
Which action by the nurse is correct correct answer
Notify the provider of these symptoms
A patient has begun taking dimethyl fumarate [Tecfidera] to treat relapsing MS and calls
the clinic to report flushing of the skin with itching and burning sensations. What will the
nurse recommend to this patient correct answer
a) "Take a non-enteric-coated aspirin 30 minutes before each dose."
b) "The provider will order an antihistamine to treat this symptom."
c) "Try taking the medication on an empty stomach."
d) "You should notify the provider immediately."
a) "Take a non-enteric-coated aspirin 30 minutes before each dose."
Immunomodulator drugs have shown effectiveness for what correct answer (Select all
that apply.)
a) Preventing the development of MS
b) Primary progressive MS
c) Progressive-relapsing MS
Certification Study Guide Exam Questions with Certified for
Accuracy Answers 2025/2026
A patient has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) for 10 years and has a
history of 3 periods of neurologic dysfunction lasting several weeks separated by long
periods of full recovery. In the past 6 months, the patient has had a prolonged period of
neurologic
dysfunction without remission. The nurse understands that the patient may have which
MS subtype correct answer
a) Primary progressive MS
b) Progressive-relapsing MS
c) Relapsing-remitting MS
d) Secondary progressive MS
d) Secondary progressive MS
A patient has been diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis for 1 year and
reports a recent brief period of being symptom-free. The nurse will tell the patient that
this indicates what correct answer
a) Hope for long-term remission
b) Temporary improvement
c) Development of relapsing-remitting MS
d) Development of secondary progressive MS
b) Temporary improvement
A patient is being treated with interferon beta-1a [Avonex] for relapsing-remitting MS.
The patient calls the clinic to report headache, fever, chills, and muscle aches after
administering a dose. What will the nurse recommend correct answer
a) Acetaminophen or ibuprofen
b) Asking the provider to order a complete blood count (CBC)
,c) Coming to the clinic for evaluation for leukoencephalopathy
d) Discontinuing the drug immediately
a) Acetaminophen or ibuprofen
A patient with multiple sclerosis is to begin treatment with interferon beta. The patient
comes to the clinic to have pretreatment laboratory tests. Which statement by the
patient indicates a need for further teaching about these tests correct answer
a) "After the first year of treatment, I will need once yearly blood work."
b) "I will need to have lab tests done every 3 months for the first year."
c) "If my liver function tests are abnormal, I will need to stop using this drug."
d) "These lab tests will measure liver and bone marrow function."
a) "After the first year of treatment, I will need once yearly blood work."
A patient administers interferon beta-1a SQ [Rebif] 22 mcg/0.5 mL three times each
week. The patient calls the nurse to report unrelieved itching and erythema at the
injection site, despite the use of topical hydrocortisone for several weeks. What will the
nurse tell this patient to do correct answer
a) Apply ice to the injection site before and after the injection.
b) Ask the provider to reduce the dose of interferon beta to 8.8 mcg/0.2 mL.
c) Discuss using a prescription-strength hydrocortisone product with the provider.
d) Take oral diphenhydramine [Benadryl].
d) Take oral diphenhydramine [Benadryl].
A patient has received an initial dose of glatiramer acetate [Copaxone] for relapsing-
remitting multiple sclerosis. The nurse notes that the patient appears flushed and
anxious and has urticaria. The patient reports palpitations, chest pain, and a feeling of
laryngeal constriction. What will the nurse do correct answer
a) Obtain an order for epinephrine to treat a hypersensitivity reaction.
,b) Prepare to provide cardiorespiratory support.
c) Report a possible cardiotoxic episode to the provider.d.
d) Stay with the patient until this self-limiting episode passes.
d) Stay with the patient until this self-limiting episode passes.
A patient who stopped taking teriflunomide [Aubagio] 1 year prior tells the nurse that she
has just found out she is pregnant. Which action by the nurse is correct correct answer
a) Contact the provider to obtain an order for serum drug levels.
b) Reassure the patient that her fetus should be safe.
c) Suggest that she consider an abortion.
d) Tell her that she will not be able to nurse her baby when it is born.
a) Contact the provider to obtain an order for serum drug levels.
A patient is about to begin therapy with fingolimod [Gilenya] to treat multiple sclerosis.
The nurse learns that the patient has not had chickenpox or the varicella zoster virus
(VZV) vaccine. What will the nurse do correct answer
a) Advise the patient to avoid individuals with chickenpox.
d) Give the VZV vaccine with the initial dose of fingolimod.
c) Give the VZV vaccine and tell the patient to begin using fingolimod in 1 month.
d) Obtain an order for a VZV antibody test.
d) Obtain an order for a VZV antibody test.
A nurse provides teaching for a 25-year-old patient who will receive mitoxantrone
[Novantrone] for worsening relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Which statement by
the patient indicates a need for further teaching correct answer
a) "I may experience cardiac side effects several years after receiving this drug."
b) "I should report fever, chills, cough, and hoarseness immediately."
, c) "I will need an infusion of this medication once weekly."
d) "I will need a liver function test and a pregnancy test before each dose."
c) "I will need an infusion of this medication once weekly."
*** is given every 3 months
A patient who has recently begun taking interferon beta reports feeling depressed.
Which action by the nurse is correct correct answer
Notify the provider of these symptoms
A patient has begun taking dimethyl fumarate [Tecfidera] to treat relapsing MS and calls
the clinic to report flushing of the skin with itching and burning sensations. What will the
nurse recommend to this patient correct answer
a) "Take a non-enteric-coated aspirin 30 minutes before each dose."
b) "The provider will order an antihistamine to treat this symptom."
c) "Try taking the medication on an empty stomach."
d) "You should notify the provider immediately."
a) "Take a non-enteric-coated aspirin 30 minutes before each dose."
Immunomodulator drugs have shown effectiveness for what correct answer (Select all
that apply.)
a) Preventing the development of MS
b) Primary progressive MS
c) Progressive-relapsing MS
