WGU D441 MEDICAL DOSAGE CALCULATIONS
AND PHARMACOLOGY OA TEST QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
Answer: B. Change the patch every 72 hours and apply it to a new skin area.
Rationale: Fentanyl patches should be changed every 72 hours and applied to a
different skin area to avoid skin irritation and ensure effective drug absorption. -
CORRECT ANSWER 1. A patient with chronic pain is prescribed fentanyl
transdermal patches. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include
in the patient's teaching?
A. Apply the patch to the same site each time to ensure consistency.
B. Change the patch every 72 hours and apply it to a new skin area.
C. Remove the patch immediately if experiencing any itching at the application
site.
D. Place the patch directly over the painful area for optimal absorption.
Answer: A. Heart rate of 58 beats per minute.
Rationale: Digoxin can slow the heart rate. If the heart rate is below 60 beats per
minute, the nurse should withhold the medication and notify the provider due to
the risk of bradycardia. - CORRECT ANSWER A nurse is administering digoxin to a
patient with heart failure. Which of the following assessment findings should
cause the nurse to withhold the medication and notify the provider?
A. Heart rate of 58 beats per minute.
B. Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg.
C. Potassium level of 4.5 mEq/L.
D. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute.
,Answer: C. Partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
Rationale: The PTT is monitored to assess the therapeutic effect of heparin
therapy. It helps to ensure that the patient is within the therapeutic range and
avoids the risk of bleeding. - CORRECT ANSWER A patient is receiving a continuous
infusion of heparin for a pulmonary embolism. Which lab value should the nurse
monitor to assess the effectiveness of the therapy?
A. Platelet count
B. Prothrombin time (PT)
C. Partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
D. Hematocrit
Answer: C. "Avoid consuming alcohol while taking this medication."
Rationale: Alcohol increases the risk of lactic acidosis in patients taking metformin.
It is essential for patients to avoid alcohol to prevent adverse effects. - CORRECT
ANSWER A patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus is prescribed metformin. Which
of the following instructions should the nurse provide to the patient?
A. "Take this medication on an empty stomach for better absorption."
B. "You may experience weight gain with this medication."
C. "Avoid consuming alcohol while taking this medication."
D. "If you miss a dose, double the next dose."
Answer: C. Swelling of the face or tongue.
Rationale: Swelling of the face or tongue may indicate angioedema, a potentially
life-threatening adverse effect of ACE inhibitors like lisinopril. Immediate medical
attention is required. - CORRECT ANSWER A patient is prescribed lisinopril for
hypertension. Which adverse effect should the nurse instruct the patient to
immediately report to the healthcare provider?
,A. Dry cough
B. Dizziness when standing
C. Swelling of the face or tongue
D. Increased urination
Answer: A. INR (International Normalized Ratio)
Rationale: The INR is the lab test used to monitor the therapeutic range of
warfarin therapy. Keeping the INR within the prescribed range helps to prevent
complications such as bleeding or clotting. - CORRECT ANSWER A patient is
receiving warfarin therapy and is scheduled for lab testing. Which of the following
lab results should the nurse review to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy?
A. INR (International Normalized Ratio)
B. Platelet count
C. Hemoglobin
D. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
Answer: A. "Increase potassium-rich foods in your diet."
Rationale: Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic that can cause potassium loss. Patients
are often encouraged to eat potassium-rich foods to maintain electrolyte balance.
- CORRECT ANSWER A nurse is providing discharge instructions for a patient
prescribed a new medication, hydrochlorothiazide. Which of the following should
the nurse include?
A. "Increase potassium-rich foods in your diet."
B. "Avoid sun exposure while taking this medication."
C. "Expect an increase in blood pressure."
D. "Take this medication at bedtime."
, Answer: B. Respiratory depression
Rationale: Morphine can cause respiratory depression, a potentially life-
threatening side effect. Nurses should closely monitor respiratory status,
especially in patients new to opioid therapy. - CORRECT ANSWER A patient is
prescribed morphine for severe pain after surgery. Which of the following side
effects should the nurse monitor for closely?
A. Increased urinary output
B. Respiratory depression
C. Increased heart rate
D. Hypotension
Answer: C. "Use this inhaler as the first line of treatment for acute symptoms."
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) used as a rescue inhaler
for acute bronchospasms. It provides quick relief and should be used immediately
when symptoms occur. - CORRECT ANSWER A patient with asthma is prescribed
albuterol for acute bronchospasm. Which of the following instructions should the
nurse include?
A. "Take this medication at the same time every day."
B. "Use this medication only if your daily inhaler does not work."
C. "Use this inhaler as the first line of treatment for acute symptoms."
D. "Avoid using this medication more than once a week.
Answer: A. Leafy green vegetables
Rationale: Leafy green vegetables contain high levels of vitamin K, which can
decrease the effectiveness of warfarin. Patients on warfarin should keep their
AND PHARMACOLOGY OA TEST QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
Answer: B. Change the patch every 72 hours and apply it to a new skin area.
Rationale: Fentanyl patches should be changed every 72 hours and applied to a
different skin area to avoid skin irritation and ensure effective drug absorption. -
CORRECT ANSWER 1. A patient with chronic pain is prescribed fentanyl
transdermal patches. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include
in the patient's teaching?
A. Apply the patch to the same site each time to ensure consistency.
B. Change the patch every 72 hours and apply it to a new skin area.
C. Remove the patch immediately if experiencing any itching at the application
site.
D. Place the patch directly over the painful area for optimal absorption.
Answer: A. Heart rate of 58 beats per minute.
Rationale: Digoxin can slow the heart rate. If the heart rate is below 60 beats per
minute, the nurse should withhold the medication and notify the provider due to
the risk of bradycardia. - CORRECT ANSWER A nurse is administering digoxin to a
patient with heart failure. Which of the following assessment findings should
cause the nurse to withhold the medication and notify the provider?
A. Heart rate of 58 beats per minute.
B. Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg.
C. Potassium level of 4.5 mEq/L.
D. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute.
,Answer: C. Partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
Rationale: The PTT is monitored to assess the therapeutic effect of heparin
therapy. It helps to ensure that the patient is within the therapeutic range and
avoids the risk of bleeding. - CORRECT ANSWER A patient is receiving a continuous
infusion of heparin for a pulmonary embolism. Which lab value should the nurse
monitor to assess the effectiveness of the therapy?
A. Platelet count
B. Prothrombin time (PT)
C. Partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
D. Hematocrit
Answer: C. "Avoid consuming alcohol while taking this medication."
Rationale: Alcohol increases the risk of lactic acidosis in patients taking metformin.
It is essential for patients to avoid alcohol to prevent adverse effects. - CORRECT
ANSWER A patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus is prescribed metformin. Which
of the following instructions should the nurse provide to the patient?
A. "Take this medication on an empty stomach for better absorption."
B. "You may experience weight gain with this medication."
C. "Avoid consuming alcohol while taking this medication."
D. "If you miss a dose, double the next dose."
Answer: C. Swelling of the face or tongue.
Rationale: Swelling of the face or tongue may indicate angioedema, a potentially
life-threatening adverse effect of ACE inhibitors like lisinopril. Immediate medical
attention is required. - CORRECT ANSWER A patient is prescribed lisinopril for
hypertension. Which adverse effect should the nurse instruct the patient to
immediately report to the healthcare provider?
,A. Dry cough
B. Dizziness when standing
C. Swelling of the face or tongue
D. Increased urination
Answer: A. INR (International Normalized Ratio)
Rationale: The INR is the lab test used to monitor the therapeutic range of
warfarin therapy. Keeping the INR within the prescribed range helps to prevent
complications such as bleeding or clotting. - CORRECT ANSWER A patient is
receiving warfarin therapy and is scheduled for lab testing. Which of the following
lab results should the nurse review to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy?
A. INR (International Normalized Ratio)
B. Platelet count
C. Hemoglobin
D. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
Answer: A. "Increase potassium-rich foods in your diet."
Rationale: Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic that can cause potassium loss. Patients
are often encouraged to eat potassium-rich foods to maintain electrolyte balance.
- CORRECT ANSWER A nurse is providing discharge instructions for a patient
prescribed a new medication, hydrochlorothiazide. Which of the following should
the nurse include?
A. "Increase potassium-rich foods in your diet."
B. "Avoid sun exposure while taking this medication."
C. "Expect an increase in blood pressure."
D. "Take this medication at bedtime."
, Answer: B. Respiratory depression
Rationale: Morphine can cause respiratory depression, a potentially life-
threatening side effect. Nurses should closely monitor respiratory status,
especially in patients new to opioid therapy. - CORRECT ANSWER A patient is
prescribed morphine for severe pain after surgery. Which of the following side
effects should the nurse monitor for closely?
A. Increased urinary output
B. Respiratory depression
C. Increased heart rate
D. Hypotension
Answer: C. "Use this inhaler as the first line of treatment for acute symptoms."
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) used as a rescue inhaler
for acute bronchospasms. It provides quick relief and should be used immediately
when symptoms occur. - CORRECT ANSWER A patient with asthma is prescribed
albuterol for acute bronchospasm. Which of the following instructions should the
nurse include?
A. "Take this medication at the same time every day."
B. "Use this medication only if your daily inhaler does not work."
C. "Use this inhaler as the first line of treatment for acute symptoms."
D. "Avoid using this medication more than once a week.
Answer: A. Leafy green vegetables
Rationale: Leafy green vegetables contain high levels of vitamin K, which can
decrease the effectiveness of warfarin. Patients on warfarin should keep their
