WGU D027 ADVANCED PATHOPHARMACOLOGICAL
FOUNDATIONS Question and Answer 2026 |
Updated Practice Questions with Detailed
Solutions | A+ Verified
• How is Alzheimer's treated? -✓✓- There is no cure, but there are pharmacological and
non-pharmacological treatments
- Cholinesterase inhibitors
- Memantine (namenda)
• What are cholinesterase inhibitors prescribed for? -✓✓- 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? -✓✓- 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? -✓✓- Donepezil
(aricept)
- Galantamine (razadyne)
- Rivastigmine (exeleon)
• Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for all stages of Alzheimer's? -✓✓-
Donepezil (aricept)
• Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for mild-to-moderate stages of
Alzheimer's? -✓✓- Galantamine (razadyne)
- Rivastigmine (exeleon)
• Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's and
Parkinson's? -✓✓- Rivastigmine (exeleon)
• What medication combination is used to treat moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's? -✓✓-
Memantine (namenda) and donepezil (aricept)
• What is memantine (namenda) used for? -✓✓- 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? -✓✓- 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)? -✓✓- Cholinesterase inhibitors prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine,
whereas memantine (namenda) regulates the activity of glutamate
• What is ataxia? -✓✓- 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? -✓✓- 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? -✓✓- 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? -✓✓- Genetic predisposition
- Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS)
- Prader-Willie Syndrome
• What is Fragile X syndrome (FXS)? -✓✓- 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? -✓✓- 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? -✓✓- 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)? -✓✓- 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? -✓✓-
Being a FMR1 premutation carrier
- The appearance of neurological features such as ataxia (balance problems), tremors,
and other symptoms
- MRI findings (changes in the brain)
• What is Prader-Willie Syndrome? -✓✓- Genetic disorder that affects many parts of the
body and their growth
- Causes mental and behavioral problems
- Can be dangerous or life threatening if untreated
- Combination of contraceptives contraindicated in breast feeding
- More common in females
- Confirmed from laboratory findings
• What is the cause of Prader-Willi Syndrome? -✓✓- Depletion of chromosome 15 from
father
- Missing or non-working genes on chromosome 15 (15q11-q13)
- Most cases are not inherited and occur randomly
- Depletion of genes (genes from the region are missing)
- Uniparental disomy - both chromosomes are inherited from the mother
- Imprinting mutation - genes on the paternal chromosome is inactive
• What does Prader-Willi Syndrome do to the body? -✓✓- Caused the hypothalamus to
malfunction (the area of the brain that affects hunger, thirst, sex and growth hormones)
- In infancy, an individual does not meet development milestones suck as sitting up and
walking
- Their eyes lack coordination
• What is a key feature of Prader-Willi Syndrome? -✓✓- A constant sense of hunger
that usually begins around 2 years of age
- People with Prader-Willi Syndrome want to eat constantly because they never feel full
• What are some symptoms in infants with Prader-Willi Syndrome? -✓✓- Hypotonia with
floppy structure and poor muscle tone
- Distinct facial features affecting the shape and size of eyes, lips, forehead, etc.
, - Poor sucking ability making it difficult to feed
- Always lethargic and poor responsiveness
- Underdeveloped genitals
• What is celiac disease? -✓✓- Autoimmune disease
- Damages to the small intestinal epithelium when there is ingestion of gluten
- Loss of mucosal surface and brush border enzymes leads to severe malabsorption
that is more pronounced in the duodenum and jejunum
• What strong genetic disposition does celiac disease have? -✓✓- Human leukocyte
antigen DQ2 (HLA-DQ2) and HLA-DQ5
• What test is recommended for celiac disease? -✓✓- IgA-tTG
- Total IgA
- Simple, inexpensive, widely available, typically covered by insurance, and is very
accurate in untreated celiac disease
• What are the recommended tests for celiac disease? -✓✓- Total IgA
- IgA-tTg
- IgA-EMA
- If IgA is deficient, it is recommended that IgG/IgA-DGP also be ordered
• What are diagnostic methods of celiac disease? -✓✓- Serologic measurements of
antiendomysial and antitrandsglutaminase IgA antibodies and HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8
- Duodenal biopsy
• Why is it important to remain on a normal, gluten-containing diet prior to testing for
celiac disease? -✓✓- Alter the results of the test
- If the blood tests and symptoms indicate the disease, a physician will likely suggest a
biopsy for the lining of the small intestine to confirm the diagnosis
• Which part of the bowels is more affected by celiac disease? -✓✓- Duodenum and
jejunum
• What are some symptoms of celiac disease? -✓✓- Pale, greasy, bulky, and foul
smelling diarrhea
- Easily bruises and/or bleeds
- Abdominal pain
- Hypomagnesemia and hypocalcemia (irritability, tremors, convulsions, tetany, bone
pain, osteomalacia, and dental abnormalities)
• What is the treatment for celiac disease? -✓✓- Lifelong adherence to a gluten free
diet
- Steroids and immunosuppressants may be required
FOUNDATIONS Question and Answer 2026 |
Updated Practice Questions with Detailed
Solutions | A+ Verified
• How is Alzheimer's treated? -✓✓- There is no cure, but there are pharmacological and
non-pharmacological treatments
- Cholinesterase inhibitors
- Memantine (namenda)
• What are cholinesterase inhibitors prescribed for? -✓✓- 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? -✓✓- 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? -✓✓- Donepezil
(aricept)
- Galantamine (razadyne)
- Rivastigmine (exeleon)
• Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for all stages of Alzheimer's? -✓✓-
Donepezil (aricept)
• Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for mild-to-moderate stages of
Alzheimer's? -✓✓- Galantamine (razadyne)
- Rivastigmine (exeleon)
• Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's and
Parkinson's? -✓✓- Rivastigmine (exeleon)
• What medication combination is used to treat moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's? -✓✓-
Memantine (namenda) and donepezil (aricept)
• What is memantine (namenda) used for? -✓✓- 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? -✓✓- 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)? -✓✓- Cholinesterase inhibitors prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine,
whereas memantine (namenda) regulates the activity of glutamate
• What is ataxia? -✓✓- 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? -✓✓- 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? -✓✓- 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? -✓✓- Genetic predisposition
- Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS)
- Prader-Willie Syndrome
• What is Fragile X syndrome (FXS)? -✓✓- 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? -✓✓- 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? -✓✓- 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)? -✓✓- 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? -✓✓-
Being a FMR1 premutation carrier
- The appearance of neurological features such as ataxia (balance problems), tremors,
and other symptoms
- MRI findings (changes in the brain)
• What is Prader-Willie Syndrome? -✓✓- Genetic disorder that affects many parts of the
body and their growth
- Causes mental and behavioral problems
- Can be dangerous or life threatening if untreated
- Combination of contraceptives contraindicated in breast feeding
- More common in females
- Confirmed from laboratory findings
• What is the cause of Prader-Willi Syndrome? -✓✓- Depletion of chromosome 15 from
father
- Missing or non-working genes on chromosome 15 (15q11-q13)
- Most cases are not inherited and occur randomly
- Depletion of genes (genes from the region are missing)
- Uniparental disomy - both chromosomes are inherited from the mother
- Imprinting mutation - genes on the paternal chromosome is inactive
• What does Prader-Willi Syndrome do to the body? -✓✓- Caused the hypothalamus to
malfunction (the area of the brain that affects hunger, thirst, sex and growth hormones)
- In infancy, an individual does not meet development milestones suck as sitting up and
walking
- Their eyes lack coordination
• What is a key feature of Prader-Willi Syndrome? -✓✓- A constant sense of hunger
that usually begins around 2 years of age
- People with Prader-Willi Syndrome want to eat constantly because they never feel full
• What are some symptoms in infants with Prader-Willi Syndrome? -✓✓- Hypotonia with
floppy structure and poor muscle tone
- Distinct facial features affecting the shape and size of eyes, lips, forehead, etc.
, - Poor sucking ability making it difficult to feed
- Always lethargic and poor responsiveness
- Underdeveloped genitals
• What is celiac disease? -✓✓- Autoimmune disease
- Damages to the small intestinal epithelium when there is ingestion of gluten
- Loss of mucosal surface and brush border enzymes leads to severe malabsorption
that is more pronounced in the duodenum and jejunum
• What strong genetic disposition does celiac disease have? -✓✓- Human leukocyte
antigen DQ2 (HLA-DQ2) and HLA-DQ5
• What test is recommended for celiac disease? -✓✓- IgA-tTG
- Total IgA
- Simple, inexpensive, widely available, typically covered by insurance, and is very
accurate in untreated celiac disease
• What are the recommended tests for celiac disease? -✓✓- Total IgA
- IgA-tTg
- IgA-EMA
- If IgA is deficient, it is recommended that IgG/IgA-DGP also be ordered
• What are diagnostic methods of celiac disease? -✓✓- Serologic measurements of
antiendomysial and antitrandsglutaminase IgA antibodies and HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8
- Duodenal biopsy
• Why is it important to remain on a normal, gluten-containing diet prior to testing for
celiac disease? -✓✓- Alter the results of the test
- If the blood tests and symptoms indicate the disease, a physician will likely suggest a
biopsy for the lining of the small intestine to confirm the diagnosis
• Which part of the bowels is more affected by celiac disease? -✓✓- Duodenum and
jejunum
• What are some symptoms of celiac disease? -✓✓- Pale, greasy, bulky, and foul
smelling diarrhea
- Easily bruises and/or bleeds
- Abdominal pain
- Hypomagnesemia and hypocalcemia (irritability, tremors, convulsions, tetany, bone
pain, osteomalacia, and dental abnormalities)
• What is the treatment for celiac disease? -✓✓- Lifelong adherence to a gluten free
diet
- Steroids and immunosuppressants may be required
