WGU D027 – Advanced
Pathopharmacological Foundations |
Complete Test Bank, Practice Questions,
Study Guide & Rationales | Updated
2026 MSN Program Prep
What are some physical changes from Alzheimer's dementia? -CORRECTANSWER -
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? -CORRECTANSWER - There is no cure, but there are
pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments
- Cholinesterase inhibitors
- Memantine (namenda)
What are cholinesterase inhibitors prescribed for? -CORRECTANSWER - 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? -CORRECTANSWER - 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? -CORRECTANSWER -
Donepezil (aricept)
- Galantamine (razadyne)
- Rivastigmine (exeleon)
Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for all stages of Alzheimer's? -
CORRECTANSWER - Donepezil (aricept)
Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for mild-to-moderate stages of Alzheimer's?
-CORRECTANSWER - Galantamine (razadyne)
- Rivastigmine (exeleon)
Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's and
Parkinson's? -CORRECTANSWER - Rivastigmine (exeleon)
What medication combination is used to treat moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's? -
CORRECTANSWER - Memantine (namenda) and donepezil (aricept)
What is memantine (namenda) used for? -CORRECTANSWER - Prescribed to improve
memory, attention, reason, language, and the ability to perform simple tasks
- Can be used alone or with other Alzheimer's disease treatments
,How does memantine (namenda) work? -CORRECTANSWER - 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)? -CORRECTANSWER - Cholinesterase inhibitors prevent the breakdown of
acetylcholine, whereas memantine (namenda) regulates the activity of glutamate
What is ataxia? -CORRECTANSWER - 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? -CORRECTANSWER - 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? -CORRECTANSWER - No treatment
- 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? -CORRECTANSWER - Genetic
predisposition
- Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS)
- Prader-Willie Syndrome
What is Fragile X syndrome (FXS)? -CORRECTANSWER - 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? -CORRECTANSWER - 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? -CORRECTANSWER - The gene
Fragile X (the FMR1 gene) is on the X syndrome
- Mutation of the FMR1 gene
Pathopharmacological Foundations |
Complete Test Bank, Practice Questions,
Study Guide & Rationales | Updated
2026 MSN Program Prep
What are some physical changes from Alzheimer's dementia? -CORRECTANSWER -
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? -CORRECTANSWER - There is no cure, but there are
pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments
- Cholinesterase inhibitors
- Memantine (namenda)
What are cholinesterase inhibitors prescribed for? -CORRECTANSWER - 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? -CORRECTANSWER - 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? -CORRECTANSWER -
Donepezil (aricept)
- Galantamine (razadyne)
- Rivastigmine (exeleon)
Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for all stages of Alzheimer's? -
CORRECTANSWER - Donepezil (aricept)
Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for mild-to-moderate stages of Alzheimer's?
-CORRECTANSWER - Galantamine (razadyne)
- Rivastigmine (exeleon)
Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's and
Parkinson's? -CORRECTANSWER - Rivastigmine (exeleon)
What medication combination is used to treat moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's? -
CORRECTANSWER - Memantine (namenda) and donepezil (aricept)
What is memantine (namenda) used for? -CORRECTANSWER - Prescribed to improve
memory, attention, reason, language, and the ability to perform simple tasks
- Can be used alone or with other Alzheimer's disease treatments
,How does memantine (namenda) work? -CORRECTANSWER - 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)? -CORRECTANSWER - Cholinesterase inhibitors prevent the breakdown of
acetylcholine, whereas memantine (namenda) regulates the activity of glutamate
What is ataxia? -CORRECTANSWER - 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? -CORRECTANSWER - 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? -CORRECTANSWER - No treatment
- 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? -CORRECTANSWER - Genetic
predisposition
- Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS)
- Prader-Willie Syndrome
What is Fragile X syndrome (FXS)? -CORRECTANSWER - 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? -CORRECTANSWER - 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? -CORRECTANSWER - The gene
Fragile X (the FMR1 gene) is on the X syndrome
- Mutation of the FMR1 gene
