1|Page
WGU D027 Exam Pathopharmacological Advanced
Foundations Objective Final Exam | Complete
Questions with Correct Answers | Verified Answers
| Western Governors University 2026
What are some physical changes from Alzheimer's dementia? -
ANSWER -- Brain shrinks dramatically; nerve cell death and tissue loss
- Cardinal signs: plaques (abnormal clusters of protein fragments) and
tangles (twisted strands of another protein)
How is Alzheimer's treated? - ANSWER -- There is no cure, but there
are pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments
- Cholinesterase inhibitors
- Memantine (namenda)
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
pg. 1
,2|Page
- Supports communication among nerve cells by keeping the
acetylcholine high
What are some commonly prescribed cholinesterase inhibitors? -
ANSWER -- Donepezil (aricept)
- Galantamine (razadyne)
- Rivastigmine (exeleon)
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)
Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for mild-to-moderate
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's? - ANSWER -- Rivastigmine (exeleon)
What medication combination is used to treat moderate-to-severe
Alzheimer's? - ANSWER -- Memantine (namenda) and donepezil
(aricept)
What is memantine (namenda) used for? - ANSWER -- Prescribed to
improve memory, attention, reason, language, and the ability to
perform simple tasks
pg. 2
,3|Page
- Can be used alone or with other Alzheimer's disease treatments
How does memantine (namenda) work? - ANSWER -- Regulates the
activity of glutamate, a chemical involved in information processing,
storage, and retrieval
- Improves mental functioning and ability to perform daily activities for
some people
What is the difference in MOA between cholinesterase inhibitors and
memantine (namenda)? - ANSWER -- Cholinesterase inhibitors prevent
the breakdown of acetylcholine, whereas memantine (namenda)
regulates the activity of glutamate
What is ataxia? - ANSWER -- Also known as cerebellum attacks
- Degenerative disease of the nervous system
- Many symptoms mimic those of being drunk (i.e. slurred speech,
stumbling, falling, and incoordination)
What causes the symptoms of ataxia? - ANSWER -- The damage caused
to the cerebellum, the part of the brain that is responsible for
coordinating movements
- Can also be caused by damage to part of the spinal cord and nerves
What is the treatment for ataxia? - ANSWER -- No treatment
pg. 3
, 4|Page
- In some cases, treating the underlying causes (i.e. stopping
medications that cause ataxia)
- In other cases, it is a result from chicken pox or other viral infections
(likely to resolve on its own)
- Genetic causes/predisposed disposition is usually chronic
What causes ataxia in the pediatric population? - ANSWER -- Genetic
predisposition
- Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS)
- Prader-Willie Syndrome
What is Fragile X syndrome (FXS)? - ANSWER -- A genetic condition
inherited from parents which results in various developmental
problems
- Rare, but may be dangerous or life-threatening
- Present at birth and is a lifelong condition
- Rarely requires lab testing or imaging
- Often linked to autism (1/3 do have autism)
- X-linked disorder
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
pg. 4
WGU D027 Exam Pathopharmacological Advanced
Foundations Objective Final Exam | Complete
Questions with Correct Answers | Verified Answers
| Western Governors University 2026
What are some physical changes from Alzheimer's dementia? -
ANSWER -- Brain shrinks dramatically; nerve cell death and tissue loss
- Cardinal signs: plaques (abnormal clusters of protein fragments) and
tangles (twisted strands of another protein)
How is Alzheimer's treated? - ANSWER -- There is no cure, but there
are pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments
- Cholinesterase inhibitors
- Memantine (namenda)
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
pg. 1
,2|Page
- Supports communication among nerve cells by keeping the
acetylcholine high
What are some commonly prescribed cholinesterase inhibitors? -
ANSWER -- Donepezil (aricept)
- Galantamine (razadyne)
- Rivastigmine (exeleon)
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)
Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for mild-to-moderate
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's? - ANSWER -- Rivastigmine (exeleon)
What medication combination is used to treat moderate-to-severe
Alzheimer's? - ANSWER -- Memantine (namenda) and donepezil
(aricept)
What is memantine (namenda) used for? - ANSWER -- Prescribed to
improve memory, attention, reason, language, and the ability to
perform simple tasks
pg. 2
,3|Page
- Can be used alone or with other Alzheimer's disease treatments
How does memantine (namenda) work? - ANSWER -- Regulates the
activity of glutamate, a chemical involved in information processing,
storage, and retrieval
- Improves mental functioning and ability to perform daily activities for
some people
What is the difference in MOA between cholinesterase inhibitors and
memantine (namenda)? - ANSWER -- Cholinesterase inhibitors prevent
the breakdown of acetylcholine, whereas memantine (namenda)
regulates the activity of glutamate
What is ataxia? - ANSWER -- Also known as cerebellum attacks
- Degenerative disease of the nervous system
- Many symptoms mimic those of being drunk (i.e. slurred speech,
stumbling, falling, and incoordination)
What causes the symptoms of ataxia? - ANSWER -- The damage caused
to the cerebellum, the part of the brain that is responsible for
coordinating movements
- Can also be caused by damage to part of the spinal cord and nerves
What is the treatment for ataxia? - ANSWER -- No treatment
pg. 3
, 4|Page
- In some cases, treating the underlying causes (i.e. stopping
medications that cause ataxia)
- In other cases, it is a result from chicken pox or other viral infections
(likely to resolve on its own)
- Genetic causes/predisposed disposition is usually chronic
What causes ataxia in the pediatric population? - ANSWER -- Genetic
predisposition
- Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS)
- Prader-Willie Syndrome
What is Fragile X syndrome (FXS)? - ANSWER -- A genetic condition
inherited from parents which results in various developmental
problems
- Rare, but may be dangerous or life-threatening
- Present at birth and is a lifelong condition
- Rarely requires lab testing or imaging
- Often linked to autism (1/3 do have autism)
- X-linked disorder
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
pg. 4
