WGU D116 ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS & A… EXAM
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
WGU D116 Advanced
Pharmacology Objective
Assessment Questions &
Answers 2026-2027 | Latest
OA Review
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales
100 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document contains 100 expertly crafted questions with correct answers and concise explanations,
focusing on advanced pharmacology. It is suitable for comprehensive study and review in preparation for
certification exams. The clear format and detailed rationales enhance understanding and retention of
critical pharmacological concepts.
CONTENTS
Pharmacology Basics Q1–Q15
Neurotransmitters Q16–Q56
Drug Interactions Q57–Q61
Vitamins and Supplements Q62–Q85
Page 1
,Cardiovascular Pharmacology Q86–Q91
Diabetes Management Q92–Q100
E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 100
doxazosin
CORRECT ANSWER
Cardura, Cardura XL
alpha blocker
potent and selective post-junctional alpha-1-adrenergic blocker.
This action blocks alpha 1 receptors in vascular smooth muscle & bladder/prostate.
causes vasodilation of arterioles and veins and relaxation of smooth muscle in the bladder neck/prostate (to
improve urinary flow in BPH) results in a decrease in systemic blood pressure.
For: HTN, enlarged prostate in BPH by relaxing blood vessels.
-start at 1mg daily for HTN
-for BPH, 1 mg at bedtime and maintenance 4-8mg once daily
BLACK BOX: first-dose phenomenon. significant orthostatic hypotension or syncope - esp after 1st dose or dose
increases.
& risk of intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS) during cataract surgery.
decreases standing and supine blood pressure so monitor BP & HR.
dont give if pt has allergy to:
quinolones, alfuzosin, prozosin, tamulosin, or terazosin.
dont take if pregnant/breastfeeding, stomach/intestine problems.
dont take with sildenafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil.
dont give to pts with heart failure or elderly. dizziness, lightheadedness/fainting may occur. dont give with hepatic
impairment (extensively metabolized by liver)
drug interactions with other antihypertensives or PDE5 inhibitors (sildenafil) or CYP3A4 inhibitors (ketoconazole,
ritonavir) bc it will increase levels of doxazosin.
usual dose is 2mg-16 mg taken once a day or slow release 4-8mg once a day.
clinical pearls: not first line for HTN but can be useful if pt has HTN & BPH.
good option for older men who need help with BP and urinary flow.
pt should be educated to rise slowly from sitting/lying. remind pt about eye surgery risk! must inform
opthalmologist if they've ever taken this med.
avoid alcohol & hot showers. dont stop abruptly. report s/s of low BP, fainting.
DOXAZOSIN: DILATES VESSELS & DECONGESTS THE PROSTATE
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 100
Page 2
,synaptic gap
CORRECT ANSWER
synaptic cleft:
-presynpatic neuron: sends signal
-postsynaptic neuron: receives the signal
messages are passed along the nervous system.
process:
1) action potential: reaches presynaptic terminal
2) calcium influx: triggers vessicles to release NP into synaptic gap.
3) NT binds to receptors on postsynaptic neuron.
--signal is either excitatory (triggers action potential) or inhibitory (dampens activity).
5) NT are cleared via:
~reuptake: into presynaptic cell
~enzymatic degradation (MAO, COMT)
~diffusion away
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 100
lithium
CORRECT ANSWER
Mood stabilizer for bipolar (type 1) effective for acute mainia, maintenance, and reducing suicide risk. treats
resistant depression, cluter headaches.
modulates serotonin, dopamine, norepi, intracellular messengers (IP3) & has neuroprotective and neuroplastic
effects.
typical dose: 600-1200 mg/day
therapeutic range:
acute mania: 0.8-1.2
maintenance: 0.6-1.0
toxicity: >1.5!!n/v/d, tremor, confusion.. hold dose & hydrate!
lifethreatening is >2.0! ataxia, slurred speech, worsening confusion.. er referral & fluids
severe >2.5: seizures, coma, death, medical emergency!! ICU/dialysis
monitoring:
-Lithium: check 5-7 days after dose change or initation then q3-6 months.. trough levels checked 12 hours after last
dose!
-TSH: get baseline then check q6-12 months. lithium can cause hypothyroidism.
-renal function (BUN, CR, GFR): get baseline then q6-12 months. risk of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.
-Electrolytes (Na, Ca): baseline and periodically. lithium competes with sodium.
-EKG: get one on older adults or with cardiac history. can cause t-wave flattening or arrhythmias.
s/e: common: GI upset, nausea, tremor, polyuria/polydipsia, weight gain, acne, mild cognitive dulling
serious adverse: hypothyroidism, nephrotoxicity, tremor (coarse), arrhythmias, tetatogenicity -- esp. ebstein's
anomaly!
Page 3
, Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 100
Acetylcholine
CORRECT ANSWER
! ACh: Excitatory. in CNS and peripheral nervous system.
broken down by acetylcholinesterase in synaptic cleft.
In PNS:
-somatic system: stimulates skeletal muscle in neuromuscual junction
-autonomic nervous system:
~parasympathetic (rest & digest): ACh is released by pre & post gang neurons.
~sympathetic: pregang neurons use ACh; post gang use norepi (except for sweat glands -- use ACh)
In CNS:
for learning, memory, arousal, attention.
major role in alzheimer's disease (decreased ACh). muscle activation.
Low ACh:
-AD - memory loss, treated with cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine).
-Myasthenias Gravis: autoimmune destruction of ACh at NM junction
Meds:
Anticholinergics: decrease ACh effects (atropine, scopalamine, ipratropium)
Used in COPD, brady, motion sickness. s/e: dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation, confusion esp.
elderly.
Cholinesterase Inhibitors: increase ACh (donepezil, neostigmine)
Used for AD, MG, reversing neuromuscular blockers
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 100
Page 4
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
WGU D116 Advanced
Pharmacology Objective
Assessment Questions &
Answers 2026-2027 | Latest
OA Review
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales
100 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document contains 100 expertly crafted questions with correct answers and concise explanations,
focusing on advanced pharmacology. It is suitable for comprehensive study and review in preparation for
certification exams. The clear format and detailed rationales enhance understanding and retention of
critical pharmacological concepts.
CONTENTS
Pharmacology Basics Q1–Q15
Neurotransmitters Q16–Q56
Drug Interactions Q57–Q61
Vitamins and Supplements Q62–Q85
Page 1
,Cardiovascular Pharmacology Q86–Q91
Diabetes Management Q92–Q100
E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 100
doxazosin
CORRECT ANSWER
Cardura, Cardura XL
alpha blocker
potent and selective post-junctional alpha-1-adrenergic blocker.
This action blocks alpha 1 receptors in vascular smooth muscle & bladder/prostate.
causes vasodilation of arterioles and veins and relaxation of smooth muscle in the bladder neck/prostate (to
improve urinary flow in BPH) results in a decrease in systemic blood pressure.
For: HTN, enlarged prostate in BPH by relaxing blood vessels.
-start at 1mg daily for HTN
-for BPH, 1 mg at bedtime and maintenance 4-8mg once daily
BLACK BOX: first-dose phenomenon. significant orthostatic hypotension or syncope - esp after 1st dose or dose
increases.
& risk of intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS) during cataract surgery.
decreases standing and supine blood pressure so monitor BP & HR.
dont give if pt has allergy to:
quinolones, alfuzosin, prozosin, tamulosin, or terazosin.
dont take if pregnant/breastfeeding, stomach/intestine problems.
dont take with sildenafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil.
dont give to pts with heart failure or elderly. dizziness, lightheadedness/fainting may occur. dont give with hepatic
impairment (extensively metabolized by liver)
drug interactions with other antihypertensives or PDE5 inhibitors (sildenafil) or CYP3A4 inhibitors (ketoconazole,
ritonavir) bc it will increase levels of doxazosin.
usual dose is 2mg-16 mg taken once a day or slow release 4-8mg once a day.
clinical pearls: not first line for HTN but can be useful if pt has HTN & BPH.
good option for older men who need help with BP and urinary flow.
pt should be educated to rise slowly from sitting/lying. remind pt about eye surgery risk! must inform
opthalmologist if they've ever taken this med.
avoid alcohol & hot showers. dont stop abruptly. report s/s of low BP, fainting.
DOXAZOSIN: DILATES VESSELS & DECONGESTS THE PROSTATE
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 100
Page 2
,synaptic gap
CORRECT ANSWER
synaptic cleft:
-presynpatic neuron: sends signal
-postsynaptic neuron: receives the signal
messages are passed along the nervous system.
process:
1) action potential: reaches presynaptic terminal
2) calcium influx: triggers vessicles to release NP into synaptic gap.
3) NT binds to receptors on postsynaptic neuron.
--signal is either excitatory (triggers action potential) or inhibitory (dampens activity).
5) NT are cleared via:
~reuptake: into presynaptic cell
~enzymatic degradation (MAO, COMT)
~diffusion away
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 100
lithium
CORRECT ANSWER
Mood stabilizer for bipolar (type 1) effective for acute mainia, maintenance, and reducing suicide risk. treats
resistant depression, cluter headaches.
modulates serotonin, dopamine, norepi, intracellular messengers (IP3) & has neuroprotective and neuroplastic
effects.
typical dose: 600-1200 mg/day
therapeutic range:
acute mania: 0.8-1.2
maintenance: 0.6-1.0
toxicity: >1.5!!n/v/d, tremor, confusion.. hold dose & hydrate!
lifethreatening is >2.0! ataxia, slurred speech, worsening confusion.. er referral & fluids
severe >2.5: seizures, coma, death, medical emergency!! ICU/dialysis
monitoring:
-Lithium: check 5-7 days after dose change or initation then q3-6 months.. trough levels checked 12 hours after last
dose!
-TSH: get baseline then check q6-12 months. lithium can cause hypothyroidism.
-renal function (BUN, CR, GFR): get baseline then q6-12 months. risk of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.
-Electrolytes (Na, Ca): baseline and periodically. lithium competes with sodium.
-EKG: get one on older adults or with cardiac history. can cause t-wave flattening or arrhythmias.
s/e: common: GI upset, nausea, tremor, polyuria/polydipsia, weight gain, acne, mild cognitive dulling
serious adverse: hypothyroidism, nephrotoxicity, tremor (coarse), arrhythmias, tetatogenicity -- esp. ebstein's
anomaly!
Page 3
, Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 100
Acetylcholine
CORRECT ANSWER
! ACh: Excitatory. in CNS and peripheral nervous system.
broken down by acetylcholinesterase in synaptic cleft.
In PNS:
-somatic system: stimulates skeletal muscle in neuromuscual junction
-autonomic nervous system:
~parasympathetic (rest & digest): ACh is released by pre & post gang neurons.
~sympathetic: pregang neurons use ACh; post gang use norepi (except for sweat glands -- use ACh)
In CNS:
for learning, memory, arousal, attention.
major role in alzheimer's disease (decreased ACh). muscle activation.
Low ACh:
-AD - memory loss, treated with cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine).
-Myasthenias Gravis: autoimmune destruction of ACh at NM junction
Meds:
Anticholinergics: decrease ACh effects (atropine, scopalamine, ipratropium)
Used in COPD, brady, motion sickness. s/e: dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation, confusion esp.
elderly.
Cholinesterase Inhibitors: increase ACh (donepezil, neostigmine)
Used for AD, MG, reversing neuromuscular blockers
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 100
Page 4
