WGU D398 Introduction to Pharmacology 2026–2027 Latest Update | Comprehensive Practice
Questions, Detailed Answer Explanations, Complete Study Review & Exam Preparation Guide
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## Exam Coverage Summary
Drug Regulation and Safety
1906 Pure Food and Drug Act: Prohibits adulterated/mislabeled food and drugs
1938 Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act: Established drug approval requirements and warning labels
1970 Controlled Substances Act: Created DEA and established drug schedules
FDA functions: Investigating and removing unsafe drugs
Controlled Substance Schedules
Schedule I: Highest abuse risk, no accepted medical use (heroin)
Schedule II: High abuse risk, accepted medical uses (morphine, amphetamine)
Schedule III: Moderate abuse risk (barbiturates, anabolic steroids)
Schedule IV: Low abuse risk (diazepam, phenobarbital)
Schedule V: Lowest abuse risk (cough suppressants, antidiarrheals)
Drug Administration and Routes
Parenteral: Fastest route, bypasses absorption (injections)
Enteral: Through GI tract (oral, sublingual, rectal, NG, buccal)
Topical: Through skin, eyes, lungs, nasal passages
Rights of administration: Drug, client, time, documentation, route, technique, dosage
Pharmacokinetics (ADME)
Absorption: Movement from delivery site to bloodstream
Distribution: Transfer from bloodstream to organs/cells
Metabolism: Chemical changes primarily in the liver
Excretion: Elimination of metabolic wastes
Halflife: Time for 50% of drug to be eliminated
Drug Interactions
Synergism: Combined effect greater than sum
Potentiation: One drug increases another's effects
Antagonism: One drug reduces another's effects
Cardiovascular System
,Cardiac glycosides (digoxin): Enhance cardiac contractions; side effects: visual halos, tremors
Antiarrhythmics (amiodarone): Side effects: pulmonary fibrosis, visual disturbances
Betablockers (metoprolol): Block beta receptors; side effects: dizziness, fatigue
Calcium channel blockers (amlodipine): Relax blood vessels; side effects: edema, headache
Diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide): Increase urine output; side effects: electrolyte depletion
ACE inhibitors (lisinopril): Lower BP; side effects: cough, angioedema
ARBs (losartan): Block angiotensin receptors; fewer cough side effects
Vasodilators (nitroglycerin): Increase blood supply; contraindicated with PDE inhibitors
Antilipemics (atorvastatin): Lower cholesterol; side effects: muscle weakness, rhabdomyolysis
Fibrates (fenofibrate): Lower triglycerides; GI side effects, interacts with statins
Antithrombotics (warfarin): Prevent blood clots; bleeding complications
Respiratory System
Bronchodilators (albuterol, formoterol): Relax airway muscles; cardiac effects, tremors
Anticholinergics (ipratropium): Block nervous receptors; dry mouth, contraindicated in glaucoma
Xanthine derivatives (theophylline): Relax airways; insomnia, cardiac effects
Inhaled corticosteroids (fluticasone): Reduce inflammation; oral fungal infections
Expectorants (guaifenesin): Thin mucus; aid sputum expulsion
Antitussives (dextromethorphan): Suppress cough
Antihistamines (diphenhydramine, loratadine): Treat allergies; sedation (firstgeneration)
Decongestants (pseudoephedrine, oxymetazoline): Relieve nasal congestion
Gastrointestinal System
Antacids (calcium carbonate): Neutralize stomach acid
H2 blockers (famotidine): Lower acid production
PPIs (omeprazole): Inhibit acid pumps; longterm: fractures, B12 deficiency
Antidiarrheals (loperamide, bismuth subsalicylate): Reduce diarrhea
Laxatives (psyllium, docusate): Relieve constipation
Antiemetics (dimenhydrinate, promethazine): Prevent nausea; promethazine: muscular rigidity
Endocrine System
Adrenal corticosteroids (prednisone): Reduce inflammation; mood changes, weight gain
Thyroid medications (levothyroxine, methimazole): Treat hypo/hyperthyroidism
Diabetes medications (metformin, glipizide): Lower blood glucose; metformin: lactic acidosis
Insulin types: Rapid (aspart), Intermediate (isophane), Long (glargine)
,Other Systems
Gout treatment (colchicine): GI side effects, bone marrow suppression
BPH treatment (finasteride, tamsulosin): Antiandrogens, alphablockers
UTI medications (phenazopyridine): Red/orange urine
Antibiotics: Penicillins, cephalosporins, macrolides, fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines,
carbapenems, vancomycin
Antivirals: Prevent viral replication
Antineoplastics: Antimetabolites, alkylating agents, mitotic inhibitors, antitumor antibiotics, biologics
Radiopharmaceuticals: Radioactive sodium iodine
Central Nervous System
ADHD medications (Strattera): Nonstimulant; reduced effects on growth
Antidepressants: SSRIs (fluoxetine), SNRIs (venlafaxine), TCAs: SSRIs first choice
Bipolar disorder: Lithium salts, valproate, lamotrigine, carbamazepine
Antipsychotics: Typical (haloperidol), Atypical (risperidone); tardive dyskinesia
Alcohol use disorder: Disulfiram (aversion), naltrexone (blocks pleasure)
Benzodiazepines: Antianxiety, sedative; suffix pam
Nutrition and Supplements
DRIs: Guidelines for healthy consumption
RDAs: Minimum vitamins/minerals for wellbeing
UL: Maximum safe consumption
Fatsoluble vitamins: A, D, E, K; stored in fat, risk of toxicity
Watersoluble vitamins: B, C; excreted in urine
Essential minerals: Sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, iron, zinc
Dietary supplements: Vitamins, minerals, probiotics, herbs, CBD
1. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication that must be given by injection to achieve the fastest possible
onset of action. Which route of administration should the nurse select to bypass the absorption step entirely?
A) Oral administration
B) Sublingual administration
C) Parenteral administration
, D) Topical administration
C) Parenteral administration Parenteral administration involves injecting medications with needles or syringes,
which is the fastest way to administer drugs because they bypass the absorption step and begin acting immediately
in the bloodstream.
2. The FDA is responsible for ensuring consumer safety regarding medications. Which action falls under the FDA's
regulatory authority?
A) Prescribing medications to patients
B) Investigating and removing unsafe drugs from the market
C) Dispensing medications at pharmacies
D) Administering medications in hospitals
B) Investigating and removing unsafe drugs from the market The FDA has the authority to investigate and remove
unsafe drugs from the market as part of its consumer safety function, ensuring that medications meet safety and
efficacy standards for public use.
3. A client is prescribed a Schedule II controlled substance for chronic pain management. Which characteristic is
associated with Schedule II medications?
A) Highest risk of abuse with no accepted medical use
B) High risk of abuse and dependence but have accepted medical uses
C) Moderate to low abuse and dependence risk
D) Lowest risk for abuse and dependence
B) High risk of abuse and dependence but have accepted medical uses Schedule II medications, including
psychostimulants and opioidbased medications like morphine and amphetamine, have a high risk of abuse and
dependence but are approved for medical use in the United States.
Questions, Detailed Answer Explanations, Complete Study Review & Exam Preparation Guide
## Exam Coverage Summary
Drug Regulation and Safety
1906 Pure Food and Drug Act: Prohibits adulterated/mislabeled food and drugs
1938 Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act: Established drug approval requirements and warning labels
1970 Controlled Substances Act: Created DEA and established drug schedules
FDA functions: Investigating and removing unsafe drugs
Controlled Substance Schedules
Schedule I: Highest abuse risk, no accepted medical use (heroin)
Schedule II: High abuse risk, accepted medical uses (morphine, amphetamine)
Schedule III: Moderate abuse risk (barbiturates, anabolic steroids)
Schedule IV: Low abuse risk (diazepam, phenobarbital)
Schedule V: Lowest abuse risk (cough suppressants, antidiarrheals)
Drug Administration and Routes
Parenteral: Fastest route, bypasses absorption (injections)
Enteral: Through GI tract (oral, sublingual, rectal, NG, buccal)
Topical: Through skin, eyes, lungs, nasal passages
Rights of administration: Drug, client, time, documentation, route, technique, dosage
Pharmacokinetics (ADME)
Absorption: Movement from delivery site to bloodstream
Distribution: Transfer from bloodstream to organs/cells
Metabolism: Chemical changes primarily in the liver
Excretion: Elimination of metabolic wastes
Halflife: Time for 50% of drug to be eliminated
Drug Interactions
Synergism: Combined effect greater than sum
Potentiation: One drug increases another's effects
Antagonism: One drug reduces another's effects
Cardiovascular System
,Cardiac glycosides (digoxin): Enhance cardiac contractions; side effects: visual halos, tremors
Antiarrhythmics (amiodarone): Side effects: pulmonary fibrosis, visual disturbances
Betablockers (metoprolol): Block beta receptors; side effects: dizziness, fatigue
Calcium channel blockers (amlodipine): Relax blood vessels; side effects: edema, headache
Diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide): Increase urine output; side effects: electrolyte depletion
ACE inhibitors (lisinopril): Lower BP; side effects: cough, angioedema
ARBs (losartan): Block angiotensin receptors; fewer cough side effects
Vasodilators (nitroglycerin): Increase blood supply; contraindicated with PDE inhibitors
Antilipemics (atorvastatin): Lower cholesterol; side effects: muscle weakness, rhabdomyolysis
Fibrates (fenofibrate): Lower triglycerides; GI side effects, interacts with statins
Antithrombotics (warfarin): Prevent blood clots; bleeding complications
Respiratory System
Bronchodilators (albuterol, formoterol): Relax airway muscles; cardiac effects, tremors
Anticholinergics (ipratropium): Block nervous receptors; dry mouth, contraindicated in glaucoma
Xanthine derivatives (theophylline): Relax airways; insomnia, cardiac effects
Inhaled corticosteroids (fluticasone): Reduce inflammation; oral fungal infections
Expectorants (guaifenesin): Thin mucus; aid sputum expulsion
Antitussives (dextromethorphan): Suppress cough
Antihistamines (diphenhydramine, loratadine): Treat allergies; sedation (firstgeneration)
Decongestants (pseudoephedrine, oxymetazoline): Relieve nasal congestion
Gastrointestinal System
Antacids (calcium carbonate): Neutralize stomach acid
H2 blockers (famotidine): Lower acid production
PPIs (omeprazole): Inhibit acid pumps; longterm: fractures, B12 deficiency
Antidiarrheals (loperamide, bismuth subsalicylate): Reduce diarrhea
Laxatives (psyllium, docusate): Relieve constipation
Antiemetics (dimenhydrinate, promethazine): Prevent nausea; promethazine: muscular rigidity
Endocrine System
Adrenal corticosteroids (prednisone): Reduce inflammation; mood changes, weight gain
Thyroid medications (levothyroxine, methimazole): Treat hypo/hyperthyroidism
Diabetes medications (metformin, glipizide): Lower blood glucose; metformin: lactic acidosis
Insulin types: Rapid (aspart), Intermediate (isophane), Long (glargine)
,Other Systems
Gout treatment (colchicine): GI side effects, bone marrow suppression
BPH treatment (finasteride, tamsulosin): Antiandrogens, alphablockers
UTI medications (phenazopyridine): Red/orange urine
Antibiotics: Penicillins, cephalosporins, macrolides, fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines,
carbapenems, vancomycin
Antivirals: Prevent viral replication
Antineoplastics: Antimetabolites, alkylating agents, mitotic inhibitors, antitumor antibiotics, biologics
Radiopharmaceuticals: Radioactive sodium iodine
Central Nervous System
ADHD medications (Strattera): Nonstimulant; reduced effects on growth
Antidepressants: SSRIs (fluoxetine), SNRIs (venlafaxine), TCAs: SSRIs first choice
Bipolar disorder: Lithium salts, valproate, lamotrigine, carbamazepine
Antipsychotics: Typical (haloperidol), Atypical (risperidone); tardive dyskinesia
Alcohol use disorder: Disulfiram (aversion), naltrexone (blocks pleasure)
Benzodiazepines: Antianxiety, sedative; suffix pam
Nutrition and Supplements
DRIs: Guidelines for healthy consumption
RDAs: Minimum vitamins/minerals for wellbeing
UL: Maximum safe consumption
Fatsoluble vitamins: A, D, E, K; stored in fat, risk of toxicity
Watersoluble vitamins: B, C; excreted in urine
Essential minerals: Sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, iron, zinc
Dietary supplements: Vitamins, minerals, probiotics, herbs, CBD
1. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication that must be given by injection to achieve the fastest possible
onset of action. Which route of administration should the nurse select to bypass the absorption step entirely?
A) Oral administration
B) Sublingual administration
C) Parenteral administration
, D) Topical administration
C) Parenteral administration Parenteral administration involves injecting medications with needles or syringes,
which is the fastest way to administer drugs because they bypass the absorption step and begin acting immediately
in the bloodstream.
2. The FDA is responsible for ensuring consumer safety regarding medications. Which action falls under the FDA's
regulatory authority?
A) Prescribing medications to patients
B) Investigating and removing unsafe drugs from the market
C) Dispensing medications at pharmacies
D) Administering medications in hospitals
B) Investigating and removing unsafe drugs from the market The FDA has the authority to investigate and remove
unsafe drugs from the market as part of its consumer safety function, ensuring that medications meet safety and
efficacy standards for public use.
3. A client is prescribed a Schedule II controlled substance for chronic pain management. Which characteristic is
associated with Schedule II medications?
A) Highest risk of abuse with no accepted medical use
B) High risk of abuse and dependence but have accepted medical uses
C) Moderate to low abuse and dependence risk
D) Lowest risk for abuse and dependence
B) High risk of abuse and dependence but have accepted medical uses Schedule II medications, including
psychostimulants and opioidbased medications like morphine and amphetamine, have a high risk of abuse and
dependence but are approved for medical use in the United States.
