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WGU D116 ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY OA AND PRE
ASSESSMENT EXAM NEWEST 2026/2027 QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (100% VERIFIED
ANSWERS) |ALREADY GRADED A+| ||PROFESSOR
VERIFIED||
A patient presents to an emergency room complaining of palpitations
and irregular heartbeat. The advanced practice registered nurse (APRN)
places the patient on a cardiac monitor and observes atrial fibrillation.
The APRN orders dofetilide.
How should the APRN recommend this medication be taken?
......ANSWER......YES With food or an empty stomach
A 70-year-old male calls a clinic complaining of chest pain that started
after having sexual activity. He took sildenafil 50 mg about eight hours
ago. He has nitroglycerin 0.3 mg on hand.
How should the advanced practice registered nurse respond?
......ANSWER......Do not take the nitroglycerin and call 911
Taking the medications together can cause a serious drop in blood
pressure leading to cardiovascular collapse.
A patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder who is in a mental health
clinic is discussing the possibility of beginning lithium with an advanced
practice registered nurse (APRN). The patient expresses understanding
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,2|Page
and wishes to proceed with treatment. The APRN explains to the
patient that this medication requires specific lab monitoring and wants
to draw baseline labs. The patient asks why the test is needed.
Which explanation should the APRN provide to this patient?
......ANSWER......A baseline blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine
(CREA) level needs to be drawn to assess kidney function prior to
treatment.
This drug can cause decreased renal function, and a baseline should be
drawn for future comparison.
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is reviewing the
medications that will be commonly experienced with a new nurse to
determine whether the drugs are safe for the patients. The new nurse is
given a scenario where a patient is being prescribed sildenafil 25 mg po
prn, a prototype drug for erectile dysfunction.
Which patient may take this drug safely? ......ANSWER......YES A 54-year-
male with a medical history of hypertension, mild eczema, and
previous history of a urolithiasis where all is well controlled and there
are no current complications
A 30-year-old patient presents to a primary care clinic with a history of
anxiety. The advanced practice registered nurse reviews the mechanism
of action by which many neuropharmacological agents act and decides
to prescribe citalopram.
What is the mechanism of action of this medication?
......ANSWER......YES Influences receptor activity on target cells
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,3|Page
Correct! This medication influences the activity in the receptors, and it
targets cells.
A patient is admitted with a diagnosis of Huntington disease. On
admission, the patient exhibits uncontrolled twitching, difficulty
walking, trouble swallowing, confusion, and memory loss. The
advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) prescribes baclofen.
What is the mechanism of action of this medication?
......ANSWER......NO Modulates the effects of glutamate at NMDA
receptors
YES Inhibits neurotransmitter GABA
NO Halts the breakdown of acetylcholine by acetylcholinesterase
Alters the synthesis and release of norepinephrine, serotonin, and
dopamine
Incorrect. Cholinesterase inhibitors prevent the breakdown of
acetylcholine by acetylcholinesterase. They are used in patients with
Alzheimer's.
Correct! Huntington's disease involves a deficiency of the
neurotransmitters acetylcholine and y-aminobutyric acid in the basal
ganglia and extrapyramidal system.
A 21-year-old patient accompanied by a parent comes to a clinic for an
emergency visit with an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN)
following a seizure. Upon interviewing the patient and the parent, the
APRN determines that the seizure is classified by marked impairment of
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consciousness and is followed by a period of central nervous system
(CNS) depression.
Which type of seizure is this patient experiencing?
......ANSWER......Atonic
NO Myoclonic
YES Tonic-clonic
Absence
Incorrect. Myoclonic seizures consist of a sudden muscle contraction
that lasts for just one second.
Correct! A tonic-clonic seizure is a type of seizure that is also called a
convulsion. This type of seizure can include muscle stiffness, loss of
consciousness, and body jerking.
A patient has been taking oral oxycodone every six hours for back pain
during the past three years. The patient suddenly decides to stop taking
the pain medication and is trying an alternative therapy without a
clinician's approval.
Which risk is of clinical concern? ......ANSWER......YES Physical
dependence
Correct! The patient suddenly stopping the medication will cause
physical symptoms that can range from nausea to seizures.
An advanced practice registered nurse has diagnosed a 44-year-old
male with depression. A plan is developed to start treatment with
medication. The patient has a history of sexual dysfunction and is
concerned about taking medication that may worsen this condition.
pg. 4
WGU D116 ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY OA AND PRE
ASSESSMENT EXAM NEWEST 2026/2027 QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (100% VERIFIED
ANSWERS) |ALREADY GRADED A+| ||PROFESSOR
VERIFIED||
A patient presents to an emergency room complaining of palpitations
and irregular heartbeat. The advanced practice registered nurse (APRN)
places the patient on a cardiac monitor and observes atrial fibrillation.
The APRN orders dofetilide.
How should the APRN recommend this medication be taken?
......ANSWER......YES With food or an empty stomach
A 70-year-old male calls a clinic complaining of chest pain that started
after having sexual activity. He took sildenafil 50 mg about eight hours
ago. He has nitroglycerin 0.3 mg on hand.
How should the advanced practice registered nurse respond?
......ANSWER......Do not take the nitroglycerin and call 911
Taking the medications together can cause a serious drop in blood
pressure leading to cardiovascular collapse.
A patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder who is in a mental health
clinic is discussing the possibility of beginning lithium with an advanced
practice registered nurse (APRN). The patient expresses understanding
pg. 1
,2|Page
and wishes to proceed with treatment. The APRN explains to the
patient that this medication requires specific lab monitoring and wants
to draw baseline labs. The patient asks why the test is needed.
Which explanation should the APRN provide to this patient?
......ANSWER......A baseline blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine
(CREA) level needs to be drawn to assess kidney function prior to
treatment.
This drug can cause decreased renal function, and a baseline should be
drawn for future comparison.
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is reviewing the
medications that will be commonly experienced with a new nurse to
determine whether the drugs are safe for the patients. The new nurse is
given a scenario where a patient is being prescribed sildenafil 25 mg po
prn, a prototype drug for erectile dysfunction.
Which patient may take this drug safely? ......ANSWER......YES A 54-year-
male with a medical history of hypertension, mild eczema, and
previous history of a urolithiasis where all is well controlled and there
are no current complications
A 30-year-old patient presents to a primary care clinic with a history of
anxiety. The advanced practice registered nurse reviews the mechanism
of action by which many neuropharmacological agents act and decides
to prescribe citalopram.
What is the mechanism of action of this medication?
......ANSWER......YES Influences receptor activity on target cells
pg. 2
,3|Page
Correct! This medication influences the activity in the receptors, and it
targets cells.
A patient is admitted with a diagnosis of Huntington disease. On
admission, the patient exhibits uncontrolled twitching, difficulty
walking, trouble swallowing, confusion, and memory loss. The
advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) prescribes baclofen.
What is the mechanism of action of this medication?
......ANSWER......NO Modulates the effects of glutamate at NMDA
receptors
YES Inhibits neurotransmitter GABA
NO Halts the breakdown of acetylcholine by acetylcholinesterase
Alters the synthesis and release of norepinephrine, serotonin, and
dopamine
Incorrect. Cholinesterase inhibitors prevent the breakdown of
acetylcholine by acetylcholinesterase. They are used in patients with
Alzheimer's.
Correct! Huntington's disease involves a deficiency of the
neurotransmitters acetylcholine and y-aminobutyric acid in the basal
ganglia and extrapyramidal system.
A 21-year-old patient accompanied by a parent comes to a clinic for an
emergency visit with an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN)
following a seizure. Upon interviewing the patient and the parent, the
APRN determines that the seizure is classified by marked impairment of
pg. 3
, 4|Page
consciousness and is followed by a period of central nervous system
(CNS) depression.
Which type of seizure is this patient experiencing?
......ANSWER......Atonic
NO Myoclonic
YES Tonic-clonic
Absence
Incorrect. Myoclonic seizures consist of a sudden muscle contraction
that lasts for just one second.
Correct! A tonic-clonic seizure is a type of seizure that is also called a
convulsion. This type of seizure can include muscle stiffness, loss of
consciousness, and body jerking.
A patient has been taking oral oxycodone every six hours for back pain
during the past three years. The patient suddenly decides to stop taking
the pain medication and is trying an alternative therapy without a
clinician's approval.
Which risk is of clinical concern? ......ANSWER......YES Physical
dependence
Correct! The patient suddenly stopping the medication will cause
physical symptoms that can range from nausea to seizures.
An advanced practice registered nurse has diagnosed a 44-year-old
male with depression. A plan is developed to start treatment with
medication. The patient has a history of sexual dysfunction and is
concerned about taking medication that may worsen this condition.
pg. 4
