WGU D116 ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY OA AND PRE ASSESSMENT
1. 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?: YES With food or an empty stomach
2. 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?: Do not take the
nitroglycerin and call 911
3. Taking the medications together can cause what?: A serious drop in blood pressure
leading to cardiovascular collapse.
4. A patient with bipolar disorder is discussing beginning lithium. The APRN
wants baseline labs. The patient asks why. Which explanation should be
provided?: A baseline BUN and creatinine is needed to assess kidney function because lithium can decrease
renal function.
5. A new nurse is reviewing sildenafil use. Which patient may take sildenafil
safely?: YES A 54-year-old male with controlled hypertension, mild eczema, and past urolithiasis without compli-
cations
6. A 30-year-old patient with anxiety is prescribed citalopram. What is its mech-
anism of action?: YES Influences receptor activity on target cells
7. Correct explanation of citalopram's mechanism: This medication influences the activity in
the receptors, and it targets cells.
8. A Huntington disease patient has twitching, dysphagia, confusion, memory
loss. APRN prescribes baclofen. Mechanism of action?: YES Inhibits neurotransmitter
GABA
9. NO Modulates the effects of glutamate at NMDA receptors: Incorrect.
10. NO Halts breakdown of acetylcholine by acetylcholinesterase: Incorrect.
Cholinesterase inhibitors prevent ACh breakdown and are used for Alzheimer's.
,11. Alters synthesis and release of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine-
: Incorrect.
, 12. Correct explanation: Baclofen enhances GABA; Huntington involves deficiency of acetylcholine and
GABA.
13. A 21-year-old patient has a seizure with impaired consciousness followed
by CNS depression. Type of seizure?: YES Tonic-clonic
14. Atonic: NO
15. Myoclonic: NO — consists of sudden 1-second contractions
16. Absence: NO
17. Correct explanation: A tonic-clonic seizure involves convulsions, stittening, loss of consciousness, jerk-
ing.
18. A patient taking oxycodone every 6 hrs for 3 years suddenly stops. What is
the clinical concern?: YES Physical dependence
19. Correct explanation: Stopping abruptly causes withdrawal and can cause symptoms from nausea to
seizures.
20. A 44-year-old male with depression and sexual dysfunction history needs
an antidepressant that enhances libido.: YES Bupropion
21. Explanation: Bupropion does not cause sexual dysfunction and may improve libido.
22. A wheezing patient receives a nonspecific beta-agonist. Besides respiratory
relief, what side effect should the nurse monitor?: YES Tachycardia
23. Explanation: Beta1 stimulation causes tachycardia and hypertension.
24. A patient has toxic atropine effects (delirium, hallucinations). Which med-
ication should the provider administer?: YES Physostigmine
25. Explanation: Physostigmine treats atropine poisoning and crosses the BBB.
26. A patient requires sutures. Provider orders local anesthetic with epineph-
rine. Epinephrine is used to .: Allow a reduced dose of the anesthetic
27. Explanation: Epinephrine (alpha1 agonist) prolongs absorption and reduces anesthetic needed.
28. A Parkinson patient on carbidopa reports no change after months. What
should the provider do?: Reevaluate the diagnosis
29. Increase the dose of carbidopa: Option but less correct
30. Discuss "on-off" phenomenon: Possible but not primary
1. 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?: YES With food or an empty stomach
2. 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?: Do not take the
nitroglycerin and call 911
3. Taking the medications together can cause what?: A serious drop in blood pressure
leading to cardiovascular collapse.
4. A patient with bipolar disorder is discussing beginning lithium. The APRN
wants baseline labs. The patient asks why. Which explanation should be
provided?: A baseline BUN and creatinine is needed to assess kidney function because lithium can decrease
renal function.
5. A new nurse is reviewing sildenafil use. Which patient may take sildenafil
safely?: YES A 54-year-old male with controlled hypertension, mild eczema, and past urolithiasis without compli-
cations
6. A 30-year-old patient with anxiety is prescribed citalopram. What is its mech-
anism of action?: YES Influences receptor activity on target cells
7. Correct explanation of citalopram's mechanism: This medication influences the activity in
the receptors, and it targets cells.
8. A Huntington disease patient has twitching, dysphagia, confusion, memory
loss. APRN prescribes baclofen. Mechanism of action?: YES Inhibits neurotransmitter
GABA
9. NO Modulates the effects of glutamate at NMDA receptors: Incorrect.
10. NO Halts breakdown of acetylcholine by acetylcholinesterase: Incorrect.
Cholinesterase inhibitors prevent ACh breakdown and are used for Alzheimer's.
,11. Alters synthesis and release of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine-
: Incorrect.
, 12. Correct explanation: Baclofen enhances GABA; Huntington involves deficiency of acetylcholine and
GABA.
13. A 21-year-old patient has a seizure with impaired consciousness followed
by CNS depression. Type of seizure?: YES Tonic-clonic
14. Atonic: NO
15. Myoclonic: NO — consists of sudden 1-second contractions
16. Absence: NO
17. Correct explanation: A tonic-clonic seizure involves convulsions, stittening, loss of consciousness, jerk-
ing.
18. A patient taking oxycodone every 6 hrs for 3 years suddenly stops. What is
the clinical concern?: YES Physical dependence
19. Correct explanation: Stopping abruptly causes withdrawal and can cause symptoms from nausea to
seizures.
20. A 44-year-old male with depression and sexual dysfunction history needs
an antidepressant that enhances libido.: YES Bupropion
21. Explanation: Bupropion does not cause sexual dysfunction and may improve libido.
22. A wheezing patient receives a nonspecific beta-agonist. Besides respiratory
relief, what side effect should the nurse monitor?: YES Tachycardia
23. Explanation: Beta1 stimulation causes tachycardia and hypertension.
24. A patient has toxic atropine effects (delirium, hallucinations). Which med-
ication should the provider administer?: YES Physostigmine
25. Explanation: Physostigmine treats atropine poisoning and crosses the BBB.
26. A patient requires sutures. Provider orders local anesthetic with epineph-
rine. Epinephrine is used to .: Allow a reduced dose of the anesthetic
27. Explanation: Epinephrine (alpha1 agonist) prolongs absorption and reduces anesthetic needed.
28. A Parkinson patient on carbidopa reports no change after months. What
should the provider do?: Reevaluate the diagnosis
29. Increase the dose of carbidopa: Option but less correct
30. Discuss "on-off" phenomenon: Possible but not primary
