Page | 1 v v v vv v
WGU D116 Pharmacology review v vv vv
Questions and Correct Answers/
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Latest Update / Already Graded
v vvv vv v vv
A patient presents to an emergency room complaining of palpitations
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vv and irregular heartbeat. The advanced practice registered nurse
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v v (APRN) places the patient on a cardiac monitor and observes atrial
v v v v v v v v v v
v fibrillation. The APRN orders dofetilide.
v v v v v
How should the APRN recommend this medication be taken?
v v v v v v v v
Ans: YES With food or an empty stomach
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A 70-year-old male calls a clinic complaining of chest pain that started
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after having sexual activity. He took sildenafil 50 mg about eight hours
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ago. He has nitroglycerin 0.3 mg on hand.
vv v v v v v v v
How should the advanced practice registered nurse respond?
v v v v v v v
Ans: Do not take the nitroglycerin and call 911
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Taking the medications together can cause a serious drop in
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blood pressure leading to cardiovascular collapse.
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A patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder who is in a mental health
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vclinic is discussing the possibility of beginning lithium with an advanced
v v v v v v v v v v v
practice registered nurse (APRN). The patient expresses understanding
vv v v v v v v v
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
v v v v v v
, Page | 2v v v vv v
and wishes to proceed with treatment. The APRN explains to the
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patient that this medication requires specific lab monitoring and wants
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to draw baseline labs. The patient asks why the test is needed.
vv v v v v v v v v v v v
Which explanation should the APRN provide to this patient?
v v v v v v v v
Ans: A baseline blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and
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vcreatinine (CREA) level needs to be drawn to assess kidney v vv v vv v vv v v v vv v v vv v vv
vfunction prior to treatment. vv v vv v v
This drug can cause decreased renal function,
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and a baseline should be drawn for future comparison.
v v v vv v vv v v v v vv v
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is reviewing the
v v v v v v v v
medications that will be commonly experienced with a new nurse to
vv v v v v v v v v v v
vdetermine whether the drugs are safe for the patients. The new nurse is
v v v v v v v v v v v v v
vgiven a scenario where a patient is being prescribed sildenafil 25 mg po
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prn, a prototype drug for erectile dysfunction.
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Which patient may take this drug safely?
v v v v v v
Ans: YES A 54-year-male with a medical history of
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hypertension, mild eczema, and previous history of a
vv vv v vv vv v vv vv v vv v vv v
urolithiasis where all is well controlled and there are
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no current complications
v v vv v
A 30-year-old patient presents to a primary care clinic with a history of
v v v v v v v v v v v v
anxiety. The advanced practice registered nurse reviews the
v v v v v v v v v
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
v v v v v v
, Page | 3
v v v vv v
mechanism of action by which many neuropharmacological agents act v v v v v v v v
and decides to prescribe citalopram.
vv v v v v
What is the mechanism of action of this medication?
v v v v v v v v
Ans: YES Influences receptor activity on target cells
vv v vv v vv v vv v vv v vv v vv v
Correct! This medication influences the activity in the
vv v vv vv v vv v v vv v v
receptors, and it targets cells.
vv vv v v v vv v
A patient is admitted with a diagnosis of Huntington disease. On
v v v v v v v v v v
admission, the patient exhibits uncontrolled twitching, difficulty
vv v v v v v v
walking, trouble swallowing, confusion, and memory loss. The
v v v v v v v v v
advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) prescribes baclofen.
vv v v v v v v
What is the mechanism of action of this medication?
v v v v v v v v
Ans: NO Modulates the effects of glutamate
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vat NMDA receptors
v vv v
YES Inhibits neurotransmitter GABA
vv v vv v vv v
NO Halts the breakdown of acetylcholine by
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acetylcholinesterase
vv
Alters the synthesis and release of norepinephrine, serotonin,
vv v v vv v v vv v v vv v
and dopamine
vvv v
Incorrect. Cholinesterase inhibitors prevent the breakdown of
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acetylcholine by acetylcholinesterase. They are used
vv vv v v vv v vv v vv
in patients with Alzheimer's.
v v vv v vv v
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
v v v v v v
, Page | 4 v v v vv v
Correct! Huntington's disease involves a deficiency of the
vv v vv v vv v vv v vv v vv v vv v
neurotransmitters acetylcholine and y-aminobutyric acid in the
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basal ganglia and extrapyramidal system.
vv vv v vv v v vv v
A 21-year-old patient accompanied by a parent comes to a clinic for an
v v v v v v v v v v v v
emergency visit with an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN)
v v v v v v v v v v
following a seizure. Upon interviewing the patient and the parent, the
v v v v v v v v v v v v
v APRN determines that the seizure is classified by marked impairment
v v v v v v v v v v
v of consciousness and is followed by a period of central nervous system
v v v v v v v v v v v v
(CNS) depression.
v v v
Which type of seizure is this patient experiencing?
v v v v v v v
Ans: Atonic vv v
vv NO Myoclonic v
YES Tonic-clonic v
vv Absence
Incorrect. Myoclonic seizures consist of a sudden vv v vv v vv v vv v v v vv
muscle contraction that lasts for just one second.
v vv v vv v vv v vv v vv vv v v
Correct! A tonic-clonic seizure is a type of seizure that is
vv v vv vv v vv v vv v v vv v v vv v v v
also called a convulsion. This type of seizure can include
v vv v vv v v vv v vv vv v vv v v vv
muscle
v
stiffness, loss of consciousness, and body jerking.
vv vv v vv v vv vv v v v
A patient has been taking oral oxycodone every six hours for back pain
v v v v v v v v v v v v
during the past three years. The patient suddenly decides to stop
v v v v v v v v v v v v
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
v v v v v v
WGU D116 Pharmacology review v vv vv
Questions and Correct Answers/
vv v vv vv v
Latest Update / Already Graded
v vvv vv v vv
A patient presents to an emergency room complaining of palpitations
v v v v v v v v v
vv and irregular heartbeat. The advanced practice registered nurse
v v v v v v v
v v (APRN) places the patient on a cardiac monitor and observes atrial
v v v v v v v v v v
v fibrillation. The APRN orders dofetilide.
v v v v v
How should the APRN recommend this medication be taken?
v v v v v v v v
Ans: YES With food or an empty stomach
vv v vv v vv v vv v vv v vv v vv v
A 70-year-old male calls a clinic complaining of chest pain that started
v v v vv vv vv vv vv vv vv vv
after having sexual activity. He took sildenafil 50 mg about eight hours
vv v v vv vv v v vv v vv vv vv
ago. He has nitroglycerin 0.3 mg on hand.
vv v v v v v v v
How should the advanced practice registered nurse respond?
v v v v v v v
Ans: Do not take the nitroglycerin and call 911
vv v vv v vv v vv v vv v vv v vv v vv v
Taking the medications together can cause a serious drop in
vv v v vv v vv v v vv v v vv v vv
blood pressure leading to cardiovascular collapse.
vv vv v vv v vv v v vv v
A patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder who is in a mental health
v v v v v v v v v v v
vclinic is discussing the possibility of beginning lithium with an advanced
v v v v v v v v v v v
practice registered nurse (APRN). The patient expresses understanding
vv v v v v v v v
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
v v v v v v
, Page | 2v v v vv v
and wishes to proceed with treatment. The APRN explains to the
v v v v v v v v v v
patient that this medication requires specific lab monitoring and wants
v v v v v v v v v v v
to draw baseline labs. The patient asks why the test is needed.
vv v v v v v v v v v v v
Which explanation should the APRN provide to this patient?
v v v v v v v v
Ans: A baseline blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and
vv v vv v vv v vv v vv v vv v vv v vv
vcreatinine (CREA) level needs to be drawn to assess kidney v vv v vv v vv v v v vv v v vv v vv
vfunction prior to treatment. vv v vv v v
This drug can cause decreased renal function,
v vv v v vv vv v vv v vv
and a baseline should be drawn for future comparison.
v v v vv v vv v v v v vv v
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is reviewing the
v v v v v v v v
medications that will be commonly experienced with a new nurse to
vv v v v v v v v v v v
vdetermine whether the drugs are safe for the patients. The new nurse is
v v v v v v v v v v v v v
vgiven a scenario where a patient is being prescribed sildenafil 25 mg po
v v v v v v v v v v v v v
prn, a prototype drug for erectile dysfunction.
v v v v v v v v
Which patient may take this drug safely?
v v v v v v
Ans: YES A 54-year-male with a medical history of
vv v vv v vv v v v vv v vv v
hypertension, mild eczema, and previous history of a
vv vv v vv vv v vv vv v vv v vv v
urolithiasis where all is well controlled and there are
v vv v vv v v v vv v vv v v vv v
no current complications
v v vv v
A 30-year-old patient presents to a primary care clinic with a history of
v v v v v v v v v v v v
anxiety. The advanced practice registered nurse reviews the
v v v v v v v v v
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
v v v v v v
, Page | 3
v v v vv v
mechanism of action by which many neuropharmacological agents act v v v v v v v v
and decides to prescribe citalopram.
vv v v v v
What is the mechanism of action of this medication?
v v v v v v v v
Ans: YES Influences receptor activity on target cells
vv v vv v vv v vv v vv v vv v vv v
Correct! This medication influences the activity in the
vv v vv vv v vv v v vv v v
receptors, and it targets cells.
vv vv v v v vv v
A patient is admitted with a diagnosis of Huntington disease. On
v v v v v v v v v v
admission, the patient exhibits uncontrolled twitching, difficulty
vv v v v v v v
walking, trouble swallowing, confusion, and memory loss. The
v v v v v v v v v
advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) prescribes baclofen.
vv v v v v v v
What is the mechanism of action of this medication?
v v v v v v v v
Ans: NO Modulates the effects of glutamate
vv v v vv v v vv v v vv
vat NMDA receptors
v vv v
YES Inhibits neurotransmitter GABA
vv v vv v vv v
NO Halts the breakdown of acetylcholine by
v vv v v vv v v vv v
acetylcholinesterase
vv
Alters the synthesis and release of norepinephrine, serotonin,
vv v v vv v v vv v v vv v
and dopamine
vvv v
Incorrect. Cholinesterase inhibitors prevent the breakdown of
vv v vv v vv v vv v v vv v
acetylcholine by acetylcholinesterase. They are used
vv vv v v vv v vv v vv
in patients with Alzheimer's.
v v vv v vv v
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
v v v v v v
, Page | 4 v v v vv v
Correct! Huntington's disease involves a deficiency of the
vv v vv v vv v vv v vv v vv v vv v
neurotransmitters acetylcholine and y-aminobutyric acid in the
v vv v vv v v vv v vv v v
basal ganglia and extrapyramidal system.
vv vv v vv v v vv v
A 21-year-old patient accompanied by a parent comes to a clinic for an
v v v v v v v v v v v v
emergency visit with an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN)
v v v v v v v v v v
following a seizure. Upon interviewing the patient and the parent, the
v v v v v v v v v v v v
v APRN determines that the seizure is classified by marked impairment
v v v v v v v v v v
v of consciousness and is followed by a period of central nervous system
v v v v v v v v v v v v
(CNS) depression.
v v v
Which type of seizure is this patient experiencing?
v v v v v v v
Ans: Atonic vv v
vv NO Myoclonic v
YES Tonic-clonic v
vv Absence
Incorrect. Myoclonic seizures consist of a sudden vv v vv v vv v vv v v v vv
muscle contraction that lasts for just one second.
v vv v vv v vv v vv v vv vv v v
Correct! A tonic-clonic seizure is a type of seizure that is
vv v vv vv v vv v vv v v vv v v vv v v v
also called a convulsion. This type of seizure can include
v vv v vv v v vv v vv vv v vv v v vv
muscle
v
stiffness, loss of consciousness, and body jerking.
vv vv v vv v vv vv v v v
A patient has been taking oral oxycodone every six hours for back pain
v v v v v v v v v v v v
during the past three years. The patient suddenly decides to stop
v v v v v v v v v v v v
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
v v v v v v
