1
PATHOPHARMACOLOGICAL
FOUNDATIONS WGU D027 ADVANCED
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025/2026
NEWEST
What are cholinesterase inhibitors prescribed for? -- ANSWER--- 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? -- ANSWER--- 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? -- ANSWER--- Donepezil
(aricept)
- Galantamine (razadyne)
- Rivastigmine (exeleon)
Page 1 of 99
, 2
Since Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is an X-linked disorder, does a specific gender have a
greater risk? -- ANSWER--- 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? -- ANSWER--- 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)? -- ANSWER--- 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? -- ANSWER---
Being a FMR1 premutation carrier
- The appearance of neurological features such as ataxia (balance problems), tremors, and
other symptoms
, 3
-
- MRI findings (changes in the brain)
What does Prader-Willi Syndrome do to the body? -- ANSWER--- 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? -- ANSWER--- 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? -- ANSWER--- 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 Prader-Willie Syndrome? -- ANSWER--- Genetic disorder that affects many parts of
the body and their growth
, 4
- 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? -- ANSWER--- 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
Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for all stages of Alzheimer's? -- ANSWER---
Donepezil (aricept)
Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for mild-to-moderate stages of Alzheimer's? --
ANSWER--- Galantamine (razadyne)
- Rivastigmine (exeleon)
PATHOPHARMACOLOGICAL
FOUNDATIONS WGU D027 ADVANCED
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025/2026
NEWEST
What are cholinesterase inhibitors prescribed for? -- ANSWER--- 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? -- ANSWER--- 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? -- ANSWER--- Donepezil
(aricept)
- Galantamine (razadyne)
- Rivastigmine (exeleon)
Page 1 of 99
, 2
Since Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is an X-linked disorder, does a specific gender have a
greater risk? -- ANSWER--- 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? -- ANSWER--- 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)? -- ANSWER--- 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? -- ANSWER---
Being a FMR1 premutation carrier
- The appearance of neurological features such as ataxia (balance problems), tremors, and
other symptoms
, 3
-
- MRI findings (changes in the brain)
What does Prader-Willi Syndrome do to the body? -- ANSWER--- 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? -- ANSWER--- 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? -- ANSWER--- 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 Prader-Willie Syndrome? -- ANSWER--- Genetic disorder that affects many parts of
the body and their growth
, 4
- 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? -- ANSWER--- 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
Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for all stages of Alzheimer's? -- ANSWER---
Donepezil (aricept)
Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for mild-to-moderate stages of Alzheimer's? --
ANSWER--- Galantamine (razadyne)
- Rivastigmine (exeleon)
