WGU D116 Pharmacology Review Questions and Answers (2026–2027) –
Advanced Pharmacology Study Guide with Practice Questions & Solutions
A patient presents to an emergency room complaining of palpitations and irregular heartbeat. The APRN
places the patient on a cardiac monitor and observes atrial fibrillation. The APRN orders dofetilide. How
should the APRN recommend this medication be taken? - (answer)YES With food or an empty stomach
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.
,WGU D116 Pharmacology Review Questions and Answers (2026–2027) –
Advanced Pharmacology Study Guide with Practice Questions & Solutions
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
, WGU D116 Pharmacology Review Questions and Answers (2026–2027) –
Advanced Pharmacology Study Guide with Practice Questions & Solutions
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
Advanced Pharmacology Study Guide with Practice Questions & Solutions
A patient presents to an emergency room complaining of palpitations and irregular heartbeat. The APRN
places the patient on a cardiac monitor and observes atrial fibrillation. The APRN orders dofetilide. How
should the APRN recommend this medication be taken? - (answer)YES With food or an empty stomach
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.
,WGU D116 Pharmacology Review Questions and Answers (2026–2027) –
Advanced Pharmacology Study Guide with Practice Questions & Solutions
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
, WGU D116 Pharmacology Review Questions and Answers (2026–2027) –
Advanced Pharmacology Study Guide with Practice Questions & Solutions
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
