• ADVANCED
PHARMACOLOGY 09/18/2026
EXAM
WGU D116 ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY FINAL
EXAM OBJECTIVE ASSEMENT & PRE-ASSESMENT
700 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE
THIS YEAR - JUST RELEASED
.
0.) A client with Parkinson's disease has been prescribed benztropine (Cogentin). The nurse monitors for which
gastrointestinal (GI) side effect of this medication?
1. Diarrhea
2. Dry mouth
3. Increased appetite
P 1
, • ADVANCED
PHARMACOLOGY 09/18/2026
EXAM
4. Hyperactive bowel sounds - Correct Answer :2. Dry mouth
Rationale:
Common GI side effects of benztropine therapy include constipation and dry mouth. Other GI side effects
include nausea and ileus. These effects are the result of the anticholinergic properties of the medication.
**Eliminate options 1 and 4 because they are comparable or alike. Recall that the medication is an
anticholinergic, which causes dry mouth**
1.) A client with a history of simple partial seizures is taking clorazepate (Tranxene), and asks the nurse if there is
a risk of addiction. The nurse's response is based on the understanding that clorazepate:
1. Is not habit forming, either physically or psychologically
2. Leads to physical tolerance, but only after 10 or more years of therapy
3. Leads to physical and psychological dependence with prolonged high-dose therapy
4. Can result in psychological dependence only, because of the nature of the medication
- Correct Answer :3. Leads to physical and psychological dependence with prolonged high-dose therapy
Rationale:
Clorazepate is classified as an anticonvulsant, antianxiety agent, and sedative-hypnotic (benzodiazepine). One of
the concerns with clorazepate therapy is that the medication can lead to physical or psychological dependence
with prolonged therapy at high doses. For this reason, the amount of medication that is readily available to the
client at any one time is restricted.
**Eliminate options 2 and 4 first because of the closed-ended word "only"**
2.) A client who was started on anticonvulsant therapy with clonazepam (Klonopin) tells the nurse of increasing
clumsiness and unsteadiness since starting the medication. The client is visibly upset by these manifestations
and asks the nurse what to do. The nurse's response is based on the understanding that these symptoms:
1. Usually occur if the client takes the medication with food
2. Are probably the result of an interaction with another medication
3. Indicate that the client is experiencing a severe untoward reaction to the medication
4. Are worse during initial therapy and decrease or disappear with long-term use –
P 2
, • ADVANCED
PHARMACOLOGY 09/18/2026
EXAM
Correct Answer :4. Are worse during initial therapy and decrease or disappear with long-term use
Rationale:
Drowsiness, unsteadiness, and clumsiness are expected effects of the medication during early therapy. They are
dose related and usually diminish or disappear altogether with continued use of the medication. It does not
indicate that a severe side effect is occurring. It is also unrelated to interaction with another medication. The
client is encouraged to take this medication with food to minimize gastrointestinal upset.
**Eliminate options 2 and 3 first because they are comparable or alike and because of the word "severe" in
option 3**
3.) A hospitalized client is having the dosage of clonazepam (Klonopin) adjusted. The nurse should plan to:
1. Weigh the client daily.
2. Observe for ecchymosis.
3. Institute seizure precautions.
4. Monitor blood glucose levels. –
Correct Answer :3. Institute seizure precautions.
Rationale:
Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine used as an anticonvulsant. During initial therapy and during periods of dosage
adjustment, the nurse should initiate seizure precautions for the client. Options 1, 2, and 4 are not associated
with the use of this medication.
4.) A client has a prescription for valproic acid (Depakene) orally once daily. The nurse plans to:
1. Administer the medication with an antacid.
2. Administer the medication with a carbonated beverage.
3. Ensure that the medication is administered at the same time each day.
4. Ensure that the medication is administered 2 hours before breakfast only, when the client's stomach is empty.
- Correct Answer :3. Ensure that the medication is administered at the same time each day.
P 3
, • ADVANCED
PHARMACOLOGY 09/18/2026
EXAM
Rationale:
Valproic acid is an anticonvulsant, antimanic, and antimigraine medication. It may be administered with or
without food. It should not be taken with an antacid or carbonated beverage because these products will affect
medication absorption. The medication is administered at the same time each day to maintain therapeutic serum
levels.
**Use general pharmacology guidelines to assist in eliminating options 1 and 2. Eliminate option 4 because of the
closed-ended word "only."**
245.) A client taking carbamazepine (Tegretol) asks the nurse what to do if he misses one dose. The nurse
responds that the carbamazepine should be:
1. Withheld until the next scheduled dose
2. Withheld and the health care provider is notified immediately
3. Taken as long as it is not immediately before the next dose
4. Withheld until the next scheduled dose, which should then be doubled –
Correct Answer :3. Taken as long as it is not immediately before the next dose
Rationale:
Carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant that should be taken around the clock, precisely as directed. If a dose is
omitted, the client should take the dose as soon as it is remembered, as long as it is not immediately before the
next dose. The medication should not be double dosed. If more than one dose is omitted, the client should call
the health care provider.
1) A nurse is caring for a client with hyperparathyroidism and notes that the client's serum calcium level is 13
mg/dL. Which medication should the nurse prepare to administer as prescribed to the client?
1. Calcium chloride
2. Calcium gluconate
3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
4. Large doses of vitamin D - Correct Answer :3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
Rationale:
The normal serum calcium level is 8.6 to 10.0 mg/dL. This client is experiencing hypercalcemia. Calcium gluconate
and calcium chloride are medications used for the treatment of tetany, which occurs as a result of acute
hypocalcemia. In hypercalcemia, large doses of vitamin D need to be avoided. Calcitonin, a thyroid hormone,
decreases the plasma calcium level by inhibiting bone resorption and lowering the serum calcium concentration.
P 4
PHARMACOLOGY 09/18/2026
EXAM
WGU D116 ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY FINAL
EXAM OBJECTIVE ASSEMENT & PRE-ASSESMENT
700 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE
THIS YEAR - JUST RELEASED
.
0.) A client with Parkinson's disease has been prescribed benztropine (Cogentin). The nurse monitors for which
gastrointestinal (GI) side effect of this medication?
1. Diarrhea
2. Dry mouth
3. Increased appetite
P 1
, • ADVANCED
PHARMACOLOGY 09/18/2026
EXAM
4. Hyperactive bowel sounds - Correct Answer :2. Dry mouth
Rationale:
Common GI side effects of benztropine therapy include constipation and dry mouth. Other GI side effects
include nausea and ileus. These effects are the result of the anticholinergic properties of the medication.
**Eliminate options 1 and 4 because they are comparable or alike. Recall that the medication is an
anticholinergic, which causes dry mouth**
1.) A client with a history of simple partial seizures is taking clorazepate (Tranxene), and asks the nurse if there is
a risk of addiction. The nurse's response is based on the understanding that clorazepate:
1. Is not habit forming, either physically or psychologically
2. Leads to physical tolerance, but only after 10 or more years of therapy
3. Leads to physical and psychological dependence with prolonged high-dose therapy
4. Can result in psychological dependence only, because of the nature of the medication
- Correct Answer :3. Leads to physical and psychological dependence with prolonged high-dose therapy
Rationale:
Clorazepate is classified as an anticonvulsant, antianxiety agent, and sedative-hypnotic (benzodiazepine). One of
the concerns with clorazepate therapy is that the medication can lead to physical or psychological dependence
with prolonged therapy at high doses. For this reason, the amount of medication that is readily available to the
client at any one time is restricted.
**Eliminate options 2 and 4 first because of the closed-ended word "only"**
2.) A client who was started on anticonvulsant therapy with clonazepam (Klonopin) tells the nurse of increasing
clumsiness and unsteadiness since starting the medication. The client is visibly upset by these manifestations
and asks the nurse what to do. The nurse's response is based on the understanding that these symptoms:
1. Usually occur if the client takes the medication with food
2. Are probably the result of an interaction with another medication
3. Indicate that the client is experiencing a severe untoward reaction to the medication
4. Are worse during initial therapy and decrease or disappear with long-term use –
P 2
, • ADVANCED
PHARMACOLOGY 09/18/2026
EXAM
Correct Answer :4. Are worse during initial therapy and decrease or disappear with long-term use
Rationale:
Drowsiness, unsteadiness, and clumsiness are expected effects of the medication during early therapy. They are
dose related and usually diminish or disappear altogether with continued use of the medication. It does not
indicate that a severe side effect is occurring. It is also unrelated to interaction with another medication. The
client is encouraged to take this medication with food to minimize gastrointestinal upset.
**Eliminate options 2 and 3 first because they are comparable or alike and because of the word "severe" in
option 3**
3.) A hospitalized client is having the dosage of clonazepam (Klonopin) adjusted. The nurse should plan to:
1. Weigh the client daily.
2. Observe for ecchymosis.
3. Institute seizure precautions.
4. Monitor blood glucose levels. –
Correct Answer :3. Institute seizure precautions.
Rationale:
Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine used as an anticonvulsant. During initial therapy and during periods of dosage
adjustment, the nurse should initiate seizure precautions for the client. Options 1, 2, and 4 are not associated
with the use of this medication.
4.) A client has a prescription for valproic acid (Depakene) orally once daily. The nurse plans to:
1. Administer the medication with an antacid.
2. Administer the medication with a carbonated beverage.
3. Ensure that the medication is administered at the same time each day.
4. Ensure that the medication is administered 2 hours before breakfast only, when the client's stomach is empty.
- Correct Answer :3. Ensure that the medication is administered at the same time each day.
P 3
, • ADVANCED
PHARMACOLOGY 09/18/2026
EXAM
Rationale:
Valproic acid is an anticonvulsant, antimanic, and antimigraine medication. It may be administered with or
without food. It should not be taken with an antacid or carbonated beverage because these products will affect
medication absorption. The medication is administered at the same time each day to maintain therapeutic serum
levels.
**Use general pharmacology guidelines to assist in eliminating options 1 and 2. Eliminate option 4 because of the
closed-ended word "only."**
245.) A client taking carbamazepine (Tegretol) asks the nurse what to do if he misses one dose. The nurse
responds that the carbamazepine should be:
1. Withheld until the next scheduled dose
2. Withheld and the health care provider is notified immediately
3. Taken as long as it is not immediately before the next dose
4. Withheld until the next scheduled dose, which should then be doubled –
Correct Answer :3. Taken as long as it is not immediately before the next dose
Rationale:
Carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant that should be taken around the clock, precisely as directed. If a dose is
omitted, the client should take the dose as soon as it is remembered, as long as it is not immediately before the
next dose. The medication should not be double dosed. If more than one dose is omitted, the client should call
the health care provider.
1) A nurse is caring for a client with hyperparathyroidism and notes that the client's serum calcium level is 13
mg/dL. Which medication should the nurse prepare to administer as prescribed to the client?
1. Calcium chloride
2. Calcium gluconate
3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
4. Large doses of vitamin D - Correct Answer :3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
Rationale:
The normal serum calcium level is 8.6 to 10.0 mg/dL. This client is experiencing hypercalcemia. Calcium gluconate
and calcium chloride are medications used for the treatment of tetany, which occurs as a result of acute
hypocalcemia. In hypercalcemia, large doses of vitamin D need to be avoided. Calcitonin, a thyroid hormone,
decreases the plasma calcium level by inhibiting bone resorption and lowering the serum calcium concentration.
P 4
