WGU D444 Adult Health 1 Objective Assessment | OA V1 and
V2 – Questions and Answers plus rationale
Question 1
What is the study of how drugs enter the body, reach their site of action, are
metabolized, and exit the body called?
A) Pharmacodynamics
B) Pharmacokinetics
C) Pharmacotherapeutics
D) Pharmacognosy
Correct Answer: B) Pharmacokinetics
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics describes the movement of drugs through the body,
including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME).
Pharmacodynamics (A) is the study of what drugs do to the body and their
mechanisms of action.
Question 2
A patient with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril. The nurse understands that this
medication works by which mechanism of action?
,A) Blocking beta-adrenergic receptors
B) Inhibiting angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
C) Blocking calcium channels in cardiac muscle
D) Decreasing sympathetic outflow from the CNS
Correct Answer: B) Inhibiting angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
Rationale: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor that works by blocking the conversion of
angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor. This leads to vasodilation
and decreased blood pressure.
Question 3
A 65-year-old patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which lab value
requires immediate notification of the healthcare provider?
A) Sodium 138 mEq/L
B) Potassium 3.0 mEq/L
C) Calcium 6.2 mg/dL
D) Magnesium 2.0 mg/dL
Correct Answer: B) Potassium 3.0 mEq/L
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss. A potassium
level of 3.0 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia, which can lead to cardiac dysrhythmias.
Normal potassium is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L.
Question 4
A patient is diagnosed with pneumonia. Which assessment finding is most
concerning?
A) Productive cough with yellow sputum
,B) Temperature of 101.2°F (38.4°C)
C) Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
D) Crackles heard in the lower lung fields
Correct Answer: C) Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
Rationale: An O2 saturation below 60% indicates hypoxemia and respiratory
compromise, requiring immediate intervention such as supplemental oxygen. The
other findings are expected with pneumonia.
Question 5
A 72-year-old patient with COPD is admitted with increasing shortness of breath.
Arterial blood gas results show: pH 7.32, PaCO2 55 mmHg, PaO2 70 mmHg,
HCO3 26 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these findings?
A) Respiratory alkalosis
B) Metabolic acidosis
C) Respiratory acidosis
D) Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: C) Respiratory acidosis
Rationale: The pH is low (acidosis, normal 7.35-7.45), PaCO2 is high (normal 35-
45), and HCO3 is normal (normal 22-26). This indicates acute respiratory acidosis
due to CO2 retention from COPD exacerbation.
Question 6
A patient with type 2 diabetes is started on metformin. Which instruction should
the nurse include in patient teaching?
A) "Take this medication on an empty stomach for best absorption."
, B) "Monitor for signs of hypoglycemia, especially shaky hands and sweating."
C) "Report any unusual muscle pain or weakness to your healthcare provider."
D) "This medication works by increasing insulin production from the pancreas."
Correct Answer: C) "Report any unusual muscle pain or weakness to your
healthcare provider."
Rationale: Metformin carries a rare but serious risk of lactic acidosis. Muscle pain,
weakness, or malaise can be early signs. Metformin should be taken with food (A).
It does not typically cause hypoglycemia alone (B). It works by decreasing hepatic
glucose production, not increasing insulin (D).
Question 7
A patient with heart failure has gained 4 pounds since yesterday and has 2+ pitting
edema in the lower extremities. Which medication does the nurse anticipate
administering?
A) Digoxin
B) Metoprolol
C) Furosemide
D) Lisinopril
Correct Answer: C) Furosemide
Rationale: Rapid weight gain and edema indicate fluid volume overload.
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that will help eliminate excess fluid. Digoxin (A)
increases contractility, metoprolol (B) is a beta-blocker, and lisinopril (D) is an ACE
inhibitor for long-term management.
V2 – Questions and Answers plus rationale
Question 1
What is the study of how drugs enter the body, reach their site of action, are
metabolized, and exit the body called?
A) Pharmacodynamics
B) Pharmacokinetics
C) Pharmacotherapeutics
D) Pharmacognosy
Correct Answer: B) Pharmacokinetics
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics describes the movement of drugs through the body,
including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME).
Pharmacodynamics (A) is the study of what drugs do to the body and their
mechanisms of action.
Question 2
A patient with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril. The nurse understands that this
medication works by which mechanism of action?
,A) Blocking beta-adrenergic receptors
B) Inhibiting angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
C) Blocking calcium channels in cardiac muscle
D) Decreasing sympathetic outflow from the CNS
Correct Answer: B) Inhibiting angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
Rationale: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor that works by blocking the conversion of
angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor. This leads to vasodilation
and decreased blood pressure.
Question 3
A 65-year-old patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which lab value
requires immediate notification of the healthcare provider?
A) Sodium 138 mEq/L
B) Potassium 3.0 mEq/L
C) Calcium 6.2 mg/dL
D) Magnesium 2.0 mg/dL
Correct Answer: B) Potassium 3.0 mEq/L
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss. A potassium
level of 3.0 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia, which can lead to cardiac dysrhythmias.
Normal potassium is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L.
Question 4
A patient is diagnosed with pneumonia. Which assessment finding is most
concerning?
A) Productive cough with yellow sputum
,B) Temperature of 101.2°F (38.4°C)
C) Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
D) Crackles heard in the lower lung fields
Correct Answer: C) Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
Rationale: An O2 saturation below 60% indicates hypoxemia and respiratory
compromise, requiring immediate intervention such as supplemental oxygen. The
other findings are expected with pneumonia.
Question 5
A 72-year-old patient with COPD is admitted with increasing shortness of breath.
Arterial blood gas results show: pH 7.32, PaCO2 55 mmHg, PaO2 70 mmHg,
HCO3 26 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these findings?
A) Respiratory alkalosis
B) Metabolic acidosis
C) Respiratory acidosis
D) Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: C) Respiratory acidosis
Rationale: The pH is low (acidosis, normal 7.35-7.45), PaCO2 is high (normal 35-
45), and HCO3 is normal (normal 22-26). This indicates acute respiratory acidosis
due to CO2 retention from COPD exacerbation.
Question 6
A patient with type 2 diabetes is started on metformin. Which instruction should
the nurse include in patient teaching?
A) "Take this medication on an empty stomach for best absorption."
, B) "Monitor for signs of hypoglycemia, especially shaky hands and sweating."
C) "Report any unusual muscle pain or weakness to your healthcare provider."
D) "This medication works by increasing insulin production from the pancreas."
Correct Answer: C) "Report any unusual muscle pain or weakness to your
healthcare provider."
Rationale: Metformin carries a rare but serious risk of lactic acidosis. Muscle pain,
weakness, or malaise can be early signs. Metformin should be taken with food (A).
It does not typically cause hypoglycemia alone (B). It works by decreasing hepatic
glucose production, not increasing insulin (D).
Question 7
A patient with heart failure has gained 4 pounds since yesterday and has 2+ pitting
edema in the lower extremities. Which medication does the nurse anticipate
administering?
A) Digoxin
B) Metoprolol
C) Furosemide
D) Lisinopril
Correct Answer: C) Furosemide
Rationale: Rapid weight gain and edema indicate fluid volume overload.
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that will help eliminate excess fluid. Digoxin (A)
increases contractility, metoprolol (B) is a beta-blocker, and lisinopril (D) is an ACE
inhibitor for long-term management.
