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1. 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?: YES With food
or an empty stomach
2. 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?: Do not take the
nitroglycerin and call 911
Taking the medications together can cause a serious drop in blood pressure leading
to cardiovascular collapse.
3. 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 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?: 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.
4. 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?: 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
5. A 30-year-old patient presents to a primary care clinic with a history of anx-
iety. The advanced practice registered nurse reviews the mechanism of action
by which many neuropharmacological agents act and decides to prescribe
, 2024/25|WGU D116 Pharmacology ||2024-2025 most recent version|Co
prehensive questions and verified answers/accurate solutions|Already
graded A+|Get it 100% correct.
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citalopram.
What is the mechanism of action of this medication?: YES Influences receptor
activity on target cells
Correct! This medication influences the activity in the receptors, and it targets cells.
6. A patient is admitted with a diagnosis of Huntington disease. On admission,
the patient exhibits uncontrolled twitching, difficulty walking, trouble swal-
lowing, confusion, and memory loss. The advanced practice registered nurse
(APRN) prescribes baclofen.
What is the mechanism of action of this medication?: 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 acetyl-
choline and y-aminobutyric acid in the basal ganglia and extrapyramidal system.
7. 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 consciousness and is
followed by a period of central nervous system (CNS) depression.
Which type of seizure is this patient experiencing?: 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.
8. 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?: YES Physical dependence
, 2024/25|WGU D116 Pharmacology ||2024-2025 most recent version|Co
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Correct! The patient suddenly stopping the medication will cause physical symptoms
that can range from nausea to seizures.
9. 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.
Which antidepressant has the benefit of enhancing libido?: YES Bupropion
Correct! Bupropion does not cause sexual dysfunction. This will help the patient with
a history of sexual dysfunction. This will enhance the patient's libido, which will help
with both depression and sexual dysfunction.
10. A patient is wheezing and short of breath. The nurse assesses a heart rate
of 88 beats per minute, a respiratory rate of 24 breaths per minute, and a blood
pressure of 124/78 mm Hg. The prescriber orders a nonspecific beta-agonist
medication.
Besides evaluating the patient for a reduction in respiratory distress, the nurse
should monitor for which side effect?: YES Tachycardia
Correct! Beta-agonists are used for asthma because of their beta2 effects on
bronchial smooth muscle, causing dilation. Beta1 effects cause tachycardia and
hypertension. Beta receptors do not exert effects on the bladder.
11. A patient is experiencing toxic side effects from atropine, including delir-
ium and hallucinations. Which medication should the provider administer?: -
YES Physostigmine
Correct! Physostigmine is the drug of choice for treating poisoning from atropine and
other drugs that cause muscarinic blockade. Donepezil is used to treat Alzheimer
disease. Edrophonium is used to distinguish between a myasthenic crisis and
a cholinesterase inhibitor overdose. Neostigmine does not cross the blood-brain
barrier and would not effectively treat this patient's central nervous system (CNS)
symptoms.
12. A patient brought to the emergency department requires sutures. The
prescriber orders a local anesthetic with epinephrine.
The epinephrine is ordered to ___________.: allow a reduced dose of the anes-
thetic
Correct! Epinephrine prolongs absorption of the anesthetic because it is an alpha1
, 2024/25|WGU D116 Pharmacology ||2024-2025 most recent version|Co
prehensive questions and verified answers/accurate solutions|Already
graded A+|Get it 100% correct.
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agonist. It is frequently combined with a local anesthetic for this purpose so the
amount of anesthetic required may be reduced. Local anesthetics do not induce
hypertension; therefore, epinephrine would not be needed to prevent it. Epinephrine
does not act as an antiemetic and would not reduce anesthetic-induced nausea.
Epinephrine is not used to reduce the pain of an injection.
13. A patient has been diagnosed with Parkinson disease (PD) and begins
treatment with carbidopa. After several months of therapy, the patient reports
no change in symptoms.
As the provider, you should do which of the following?: Increase the dose of
carbidopa
Discuss the "on-off" phenomenon
Reevaluate the diagnosis
NO Add a dopamine agonist
Incorrect. Adding a dopamine agonist is not indicated.
14. A patient who is taking oral contraceptives begins taking valproic acid for
seizures. After a week of therapy with valproic acid, the patient tells the nurse
that she is experiencing nausea.
What should the nurse do?: YES Ask the patient if she is taking the valproic acid
with food because taking the drug on an empty stomach can cause gastrointestinal
side effects
Correct! Gastrointestinal effects, including nausea, vomiting, and indigestion, are
common with valproic acid and can be minimized by taking the drug with food or
using an enteric-coated product. Hyperammonemia can occur when valproic acid is
combined with topiramate. Signs of pregnancy usually do not occur within a week,
so this is less likely. Hepatotoxicity is a rare adverse effect.
15. A patient with cerebral palsy who has been receiving baclofen via gas-
trostomy tube for three months is admitted to the hospital for evaluation of
new-onset seizures.
What might you suspect to be the cause of these seizures?: YES Missed doses
of baclofen
Correct! Baclofen does not appear to cause physical dependence, but abrupt
discontinuation has been associated with adverse reactions. Abrupt withdrawal of
oral baclofen can cause visual hallucinations, paranoid ideation, and seizures and
should be considered when a patient develops these symptoms. Seizures are not a
symptom of baclofen toxicity.
prehensive questions and verified answers/accurate solutions|Already
graded A+|Get it 100% correct.
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1. 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?: YES With food
or an empty stomach
2. 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?: Do not take the
nitroglycerin and call 911
Taking the medications together can cause a serious drop in blood pressure leading
to cardiovascular collapse.
3. 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 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?: 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.
4. 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?: 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
5. A 30-year-old patient presents to a primary care clinic with a history of anx-
iety. The advanced practice registered nurse reviews the mechanism of action
by which many neuropharmacological agents act and decides to prescribe
, 2024/25|WGU D116 Pharmacology ||2024-2025 most recent version|Co
prehensive questions and verified answers/accurate solutions|Already
graded A+|Get it 100% correct.
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_hjj9g2
citalopram.
What is the mechanism of action of this medication?: YES Influences receptor
activity on target cells
Correct! This medication influences the activity in the receptors, and it targets cells.
6. A patient is admitted with a diagnosis of Huntington disease. On admission,
the patient exhibits uncontrolled twitching, difficulty walking, trouble swal-
lowing, confusion, and memory loss. The advanced practice registered nurse
(APRN) prescribes baclofen.
What is the mechanism of action of this medication?: 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 acetyl-
choline and y-aminobutyric acid in the basal ganglia and extrapyramidal system.
7. 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 consciousness and is
followed by a period of central nervous system (CNS) depression.
Which type of seizure is this patient experiencing?: 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.
8. 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?: YES Physical dependence
, 2024/25|WGU D116 Pharmacology ||2024-2025 most recent version|Co
prehensive questions and verified answers/accurate solutions|Already
graded A+|Get it 100% correct.
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_hjj9g2
Correct! The patient suddenly stopping the medication will cause physical symptoms
that can range from nausea to seizures.
9. 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.
Which antidepressant has the benefit of enhancing libido?: YES Bupropion
Correct! Bupropion does not cause sexual dysfunction. This will help the patient with
a history of sexual dysfunction. This will enhance the patient's libido, which will help
with both depression and sexual dysfunction.
10. A patient is wheezing and short of breath. The nurse assesses a heart rate
of 88 beats per minute, a respiratory rate of 24 breaths per minute, and a blood
pressure of 124/78 mm Hg. The prescriber orders a nonspecific beta-agonist
medication.
Besides evaluating the patient for a reduction in respiratory distress, the nurse
should monitor for which side effect?: YES Tachycardia
Correct! Beta-agonists are used for asthma because of their beta2 effects on
bronchial smooth muscle, causing dilation. Beta1 effects cause tachycardia and
hypertension. Beta receptors do not exert effects on the bladder.
11. A patient is experiencing toxic side effects from atropine, including delir-
ium and hallucinations. Which medication should the provider administer?: -
YES Physostigmine
Correct! Physostigmine is the drug of choice for treating poisoning from atropine and
other drugs that cause muscarinic blockade. Donepezil is used to treat Alzheimer
disease. Edrophonium is used to distinguish between a myasthenic crisis and
a cholinesterase inhibitor overdose. Neostigmine does not cross the blood-brain
barrier and would not effectively treat this patient's central nervous system (CNS)
symptoms.
12. A patient brought to the emergency department requires sutures. The
prescriber orders a local anesthetic with epinephrine.
The epinephrine is ordered to ___________.: allow a reduced dose of the anes-
thetic
Correct! Epinephrine prolongs absorption of the anesthetic because it is an alpha1
, 2024/25|WGU D116 Pharmacology ||2024-2025 most recent version|Co
prehensive questions and verified answers/accurate solutions|Already
graded A+|Get it 100% correct.
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_hjj9g2
agonist. It is frequently combined with a local anesthetic for this purpose so the
amount of anesthetic required may be reduced. Local anesthetics do not induce
hypertension; therefore, epinephrine would not be needed to prevent it. Epinephrine
does not act as an antiemetic and would not reduce anesthetic-induced nausea.
Epinephrine is not used to reduce the pain of an injection.
13. A patient has been diagnosed with Parkinson disease (PD) and begins
treatment with carbidopa. After several months of therapy, the patient reports
no change in symptoms.
As the provider, you should do which of the following?: Increase the dose of
carbidopa
Discuss the "on-off" phenomenon
Reevaluate the diagnosis
NO Add a dopamine agonist
Incorrect. Adding a dopamine agonist is not indicated.
14. A patient who is taking oral contraceptives begins taking valproic acid for
seizures. After a week of therapy with valproic acid, the patient tells the nurse
that she is experiencing nausea.
What should the nurse do?: YES Ask the patient if she is taking the valproic acid
with food because taking the drug on an empty stomach can cause gastrointestinal
side effects
Correct! Gastrointestinal effects, including nausea, vomiting, and indigestion, are
common with valproic acid and can be minimized by taking the drug with food or
using an enteric-coated product. Hyperammonemia can occur when valproic acid is
combined with topiramate. Signs of pregnancy usually do not occur within a week,
so this is less likely. Hepatotoxicity is a rare adverse effect.
15. A patient with cerebral palsy who has been receiving baclofen via gas-
trostomy tube for three months is admitted to the hospital for evaluation of
new-onset seizures.
What might you suspect to be the cause of these seizures?: YES Missed doses
of baclofen
Correct! Baclofen does not appear to cause physical dependence, but abrupt
discontinuation has been associated with adverse reactions. Abrupt withdrawal of
oral baclofen can cause visual hallucinations, paranoid ideation, and seizures and
should be considered when a patient develops these symptoms. Seizures are not a
symptom of baclofen toxicity.
