WGU D116 ADVANCED
PHARMACOLOGY FINAL EXAM 2026
ACTUAL EXAM SCRIPT COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS GRADE A+
◉ A 70-year-old male calls a clinic complaining of chest pain that
started after sexual activity. He took sildenafil 50 mg about eight hours
ago. He has nitroglycerin 0.3 mg on hand. How should the APRN
respond? Answer: Do not take the nitroglycerin and call 911
◉ Taking the medications together can cause what? Answer: A serious
drop in blood pressure leading to cardiovascular collapse.
◉ A patient with bipolar disorder is discussing beginning lithium. The
APRN wants baseline labs. The patient asks why. Which explanation
should be provided? Answer: A baseline BUN and creatinine is needed
to assess kidney function because lithium can decrease renal function.
◉ A new nurse is reviewing sildenafil use. Which patient may take
sildenafil safely? Answer: YES A 54-year-old male with controlled
hypertension, mild eczema, and past urolithiasis without complications
◉ A 30-year-old patient with anxiety is prescribed citalopram. What is
its mechanism of action? Answer: YES Influences receptor activity on
target cells
,◉ Correct explanation of citalopram's mechanism Answer: This
medication influences the activity in the receptors, and it targets cells.
◉ A Huntington disease patient has twitching, dysphagia, confusion,
memory loss. APRN prescribes baclofen. Mechanism of action?
Answer: YES Inhibits neurotransmitter GABA
◉ NO Modulates the effects of glutamate at NMDA receptors Answer:
Incorrect.
◉ NO Halts breakdown of acetylcholine by acetylcholinesterase
Answer: Incorrect. Cholinesterase inhibitors prevent ACh breakdown
and are used for Alzheimer's.
◉ Alters synthesis and release of norepinephrine, serotonin, and
dopamine Answer: Incorrect.
◉ Correct explanation Answer: Baclofen enhances GABA; Huntington
involves deficiency of acetylcholine and GABA.
◉ A 21-year-old patient has a seizure with impaired consciousness
followed by CNS depression. Type of seizure? Answer: YES Tonic-
clonic
◉ Atonic Answer: NO
,◉ Myoclonic Answer: NO — consists of sudden 1-second contractions
◉ Absence Answer: NO
◉ Correct explanation Answer: A tonic-clonic seizure involves
convulsions, stiffening, loss of consciousness, jerking.
◉ A patient taking oxycodone every 6 hrs for 3 years suddenly stops.
What is the clinical concern? Answer: YES Physical dependence
◉ Correct explanation Answer: Stopping abruptly causes withdrawal
and can cause symptoms from nausea to seizures.
◉ A 44-year-old male with depression and sexual dysfunction history
needs an antidepressant that enhances libido. Answer: YES Bupropion
◉ Explanation Answer: Bupropion does not cause sexual dysfunction
and may improve libido.
◉ A wheezing patient receives a nonspecific beta-agonist. Besides
respiratory relief, what side effect should the nurse monitor? Answer:
YES Tachycardia
◉ Explanation Answer: Beta1 stimulation causes tachycardia and
hypertension.
, ◉ A patient has toxic atropine effects (delirium, hallucinations). Which
medication should the provider administer? Answer: YES
Physostigmine
◉ Explanation Answer: Physostigmine treats atropine poisoning and
crosses the BBB.
◉ A patient requires sutures. Provider orders local anesthetic with
epinephrine. Epinephrine is used to ________. Answer: Allow a reduced
dose of the anesthetic
◉ Explanation Answer: Epinephrine (alpha1 agonist) prolongs
absorption and reduces anesthetic needed.
◉ A Parkinson patient on carbidopa reports no change after months.
What should the provider do? Answer: Reevaluate the diagnosis
◉ Increase the dose of carbidopa Answer: Option but less correct
◉ Discuss "on-off" phenomenon Answer: Possible but not primary
◉ NO Add a dopamine agonist Answer: Incorrect
PHARMACOLOGY FINAL EXAM 2026
ACTUAL EXAM SCRIPT COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS GRADE A+
◉ A 70-year-old male calls a clinic complaining of chest pain that
started after sexual activity. He took sildenafil 50 mg about eight hours
ago. He has nitroglycerin 0.3 mg on hand. How should the APRN
respond? Answer: Do not take the nitroglycerin and call 911
◉ Taking the medications together can cause what? Answer: A serious
drop in blood pressure leading to cardiovascular collapse.
◉ A patient with bipolar disorder is discussing beginning lithium. The
APRN wants baseline labs. The patient asks why. Which explanation
should be provided? Answer: A baseline BUN and creatinine is needed
to assess kidney function because lithium can decrease renal function.
◉ A new nurse is reviewing sildenafil use. Which patient may take
sildenafil safely? Answer: YES A 54-year-old male with controlled
hypertension, mild eczema, and past urolithiasis without complications
◉ A 30-year-old patient with anxiety is prescribed citalopram. What is
its mechanism of action? Answer: YES Influences receptor activity on
target cells
,◉ Correct explanation of citalopram's mechanism Answer: This
medication influences the activity in the receptors, and it targets cells.
◉ A Huntington disease patient has twitching, dysphagia, confusion,
memory loss. APRN prescribes baclofen. Mechanism of action?
Answer: YES Inhibits neurotransmitter GABA
◉ NO Modulates the effects of glutamate at NMDA receptors Answer:
Incorrect.
◉ NO Halts breakdown of acetylcholine by acetylcholinesterase
Answer: Incorrect. Cholinesterase inhibitors prevent ACh breakdown
and are used for Alzheimer's.
◉ Alters synthesis and release of norepinephrine, serotonin, and
dopamine Answer: Incorrect.
◉ Correct explanation Answer: Baclofen enhances GABA; Huntington
involves deficiency of acetylcholine and GABA.
◉ A 21-year-old patient has a seizure with impaired consciousness
followed by CNS depression. Type of seizure? Answer: YES Tonic-
clonic
◉ Atonic Answer: NO
,◉ Myoclonic Answer: NO — consists of sudden 1-second contractions
◉ Absence Answer: NO
◉ Correct explanation Answer: A tonic-clonic seizure involves
convulsions, stiffening, loss of consciousness, jerking.
◉ A patient taking oxycodone every 6 hrs for 3 years suddenly stops.
What is the clinical concern? Answer: YES Physical dependence
◉ Correct explanation Answer: Stopping abruptly causes withdrawal
and can cause symptoms from nausea to seizures.
◉ A 44-year-old male with depression and sexual dysfunction history
needs an antidepressant that enhances libido. Answer: YES Bupropion
◉ Explanation Answer: Bupropion does not cause sexual dysfunction
and may improve libido.
◉ A wheezing patient receives a nonspecific beta-agonist. Besides
respiratory relief, what side effect should the nurse monitor? Answer:
YES Tachycardia
◉ Explanation Answer: Beta1 stimulation causes tachycardia and
hypertension.
, ◉ A patient has toxic atropine effects (delirium, hallucinations). Which
medication should the provider administer? Answer: YES
Physostigmine
◉ Explanation Answer: Physostigmine treats atropine poisoning and
crosses the BBB.
◉ A patient requires sutures. Provider orders local anesthetic with
epinephrine. Epinephrine is used to ________. Answer: Allow a reduced
dose of the anesthetic
◉ Explanation Answer: Epinephrine (alpha1 agonist) prolongs
absorption and reduces anesthetic needed.
◉ A Parkinson patient on carbidopa reports no change after months.
What should the provider do? Answer: Reevaluate the diagnosis
◉ Increase the dose of carbidopa Answer: Option but less correct
◉ Discuss "on-off" phenomenon Answer: Possible but not primary
◉ NO Add a dopamine agonist Answer: Incorrect
