WGU D027 NURSING KNOWLEDGE EXAM 2025 | 136 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ACCURATE SOLUTIONS
1. What are the two key laboratory findings that indicate a diagnosis
of metabolic acidosis?
pH above 7.45 and bicarbonate level above 26 mEq/L
pH below 7.35 and bicarbonate level below 22 mEq/L
pH between 7.35 and 7.45 and bicarbonate level between 22 and 26
mEq/L
pH below 7.30 and bicarbonate level below 20 mEq/L
2. Explain why muscle pain in a patient taking simvastatin is a cause for
concern. What potential complications should be monitored?
It may indicate a common side effect of the medication.
It could be a sign of dehydration.
It may signal the onset of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, which
can lead to kidney failure.
It is usually harmless and does not require further evaluation.
3. What is the recommended site for administering the hepatitis B vaccine
in infants?
Deltoid muscle
Anterolateral thigh
Ventrogluteal site
Subcutaneous tissue of the abdomen
4. Explain why infants are at a higher risk for drug toxicity when
receiving medications with a narrow therapeutic range.
Their organs are fully developed, leading to faster drug
metabolism.
, They have immature pharmacokinetic processes, which can lead
to unpredictable drug levels.
Infants have a higher body mass, which dilutes the concentration of
drugs.
They are less likely to adhere to medication regimens, increasing
toxicity risk.
5. A patient is experiencing chronic pain and is prescribed a medication
that enhances the effects of endorphins. What mechanism would this
medication likely utilize to alleviate the patient's pain?
Inhibiting the release of neurotransmitters
Blocking opiate receptors
Increasing the binding of endorphins to opiate receptors
Decreasing blood flow to the affected area
6. A diagnosis of Asthma is typically achieved by which of the following
diagnostic tests?
Spirometry with bronchodilator test
Peak flow
test Chest x-
ray
ABG analysis
7. Parents ask the nurse why an over-the-counter cough suppressant with
sedative side effects is not recommended for infants. Which response by
the nurse is correct?
"Babies have a more rapid gastric emptying time and do not absorb
drugs well."
"Cough medicine tastes bad, and infants usually won't take it."
"Infants are more susceptible to central nervous system effects
than are adults."
, "Infants metabolize drugs too rapidly, so drugs are not as effective."
8. A 70-year-old woman with a history of asthma and hypertension is
prescribed a new medication for her heart condition. Which medication
class should her healthcare provider avoid prescribing, and what
alternative medication could be considered to manage her hypertension
without risking bronchospasm?
Beta blockers; Calcium channel blockers
ACE inhibitors; Beta blockers
Diuretics; ACE inhibitors
Beta blockers; Diuretics
9. Enkephalins and endorphins act to relieve pain by which process?
Inhibiting cells in the substantia gelatinosa
Stimulating the descending efferent nerve fibers
Attaching to opiate receptor sites
Blocking transduction of nociceptors
10. What is the primary purpose of radioactive iodine (I131) therapy in patients
with Graves disease?
To increase thyroid hormone production
To destroy thyroid cells and reduce hyperthyroidism
To provide symptomatic relief from
anxiety To enhance the absorption of
dietary iodine
11. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic X-linked
recessive disorder characterized by progressive muscle
degeneration and weakness. What is the cause of this disease?
DMD is caused by a mutation in the gene for the adapter
protein dystrophin
, DMD is caused by a mutation in the gene for the protein
dystroglycan
DMD is caused by defects in basal lamina due to misfolded
dystrophin
DMD is caused by a mutation in RGD sequence and decreased
muscle cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM)
12. What is the primary method used to confirm asthma in children over
the age of six?
Chest X-ray
Pulmonary function testing
Allergy testing
Physical examination
13. How is asthma confirmed in children over the age of six?
Pulmonary function testing
Serum allergy testing
Family history of asthma
Frequent upper respiratory infections
14. A 54-year-old man comes into a clinic for a routine visit. His initial BP
is 148/92. After a recheck 15 minutes later, his BP is 140/90. He states he
suffers from 'white coat hypertension.' He states he has no history of high
blood pressure and no family history of high blood pressure. Which
nursing intervention would assist this patient in receiving a clinical
diagnosis of hypertension?
Checking the patient's blood pressure in three months
Completing a biochemical blood profile
Ordering the patient a cholesterol level test
ACCURATE SOLUTIONS
1. What are the two key laboratory findings that indicate a diagnosis
of metabolic acidosis?
pH above 7.45 and bicarbonate level above 26 mEq/L
pH below 7.35 and bicarbonate level below 22 mEq/L
pH between 7.35 and 7.45 and bicarbonate level between 22 and 26
mEq/L
pH below 7.30 and bicarbonate level below 20 mEq/L
2. Explain why muscle pain in a patient taking simvastatin is a cause for
concern. What potential complications should be monitored?
It may indicate a common side effect of the medication.
It could be a sign of dehydration.
It may signal the onset of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, which
can lead to kidney failure.
It is usually harmless and does not require further evaluation.
3. What is the recommended site for administering the hepatitis B vaccine
in infants?
Deltoid muscle
Anterolateral thigh
Ventrogluteal site
Subcutaneous tissue of the abdomen
4. Explain why infants are at a higher risk for drug toxicity when
receiving medications with a narrow therapeutic range.
Their organs are fully developed, leading to faster drug
metabolism.
, They have immature pharmacokinetic processes, which can lead
to unpredictable drug levels.
Infants have a higher body mass, which dilutes the concentration of
drugs.
They are less likely to adhere to medication regimens, increasing
toxicity risk.
5. A patient is experiencing chronic pain and is prescribed a medication
that enhances the effects of endorphins. What mechanism would this
medication likely utilize to alleviate the patient's pain?
Inhibiting the release of neurotransmitters
Blocking opiate receptors
Increasing the binding of endorphins to opiate receptors
Decreasing blood flow to the affected area
6. A diagnosis of Asthma is typically achieved by which of the following
diagnostic tests?
Spirometry with bronchodilator test
Peak flow
test Chest x-
ray
ABG analysis
7. Parents ask the nurse why an over-the-counter cough suppressant with
sedative side effects is not recommended for infants. Which response by
the nurse is correct?
"Babies have a more rapid gastric emptying time and do not absorb
drugs well."
"Cough medicine tastes bad, and infants usually won't take it."
"Infants are more susceptible to central nervous system effects
than are adults."
, "Infants metabolize drugs too rapidly, so drugs are not as effective."
8. A 70-year-old woman with a history of asthma and hypertension is
prescribed a new medication for her heart condition. Which medication
class should her healthcare provider avoid prescribing, and what
alternative medication could be considered to manage her hypertension
without risking bronchospasm?
Beta blockers; Calcium channel blockers
ACE inhibitors; Beta blockers
Diuretics; ACE inhibitors
Beta blockers; Diuretics
9. Enkephalins and endorphins act to relieve pain by which process?
Inhibiting cells in the substantia gelatinosa
Stimulating the descending efferent nerve fibers
Attaching to opiate receptor sites
Blocking transduction of nociceptors
10. What is the primary purpose of radioactive iodine (I131) therapy in patients
with Graves disease?
To increase thyroid hormone production
To destroy thyroid cells and reduce hyperthyroidism
To provide symptomatic relief from
anxiety To enhance the absorption of
dietary iodine
11. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic X-linked
recessive disorder characterized by progressive muscle
degeneration and weakness. What is the cause of this disease?
DMD is caused by a mutation in the gene for the adapter
protein dystrophin
, DMD is caused by a mutation in the gene for the protein
dystroglycan
DMD is caused by defects in basal lamina due to misfolded
dystrophin
DMD is caused by a mutation in RGD sequence and decreased
muscle cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM)
12. What is the primary method used to confirm asthma in children over
the age of six?
Chest X-ray
Pulmonary function testing
Allergy testing
Physical examination
13. How is asthma confirmed in children over the age of six?
Pulmonary function testing
Serum allergy testing
Family history of asthma
Frequent upper respiratory infections
14. A 54-year-old man comes into a clinic for a routine visit. His initial BP
is 148/92. After a recheck 15 minutes later, his BP is 140/90. He states he
suffers from 'white coat hypertension.' He states he has no history of high
blood pressure and no family history of high blood pressure. Which
nursing intervention would assist this patient in receiving a clinical
diagnosis of hypertension?
Checking the patient's blood pressure in three months
Completing a biochemical blood profile
Ordering the patient a cholesterol level test
