1
WGU
WGU D116 PHARMACOLOGY REVIEW EXAM QUESTI
N N N N N
ONS AND ANSWERS UPDATED (2024/2025) (VERIF
N N N N N
IED ANSWERS) N
An advanced practice registered nurse has diagnosed a 44-year-
n n n n n n n n
old male with depression. A plan is developed to start treatment with medi
n n n n n n n n n n n n
cation. The patient has a history of sexual dysfunction and is concerned abo
n n n n n n n n n n n n
ut taking medication that may worsen this condition.
n n n n n n n
Which antidepressant has the benefit of enhancing libido? -
n n n n n n n n
ANS ✓YES Bupropion
n n n
Correct! Bupropion does not cause sexual dysfunction. This will help the pa
n n n n n n n n n n n
tient with a history of sexual dysfunction. This will enhance the patient's li
n n n n n n n n n n n n
bido, which will help with both depression and sexual dysfunction.
n n n n n n n n n
A patient is wheezing and short of breath. The nurse assesses a heart rate o
n n n n n n n n n n n n n n
f 88 beats per minute, a respiratory rate of 24 breaths per minute, and a bl
n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n
ood pressure of 124/78 mm Hg. The prescriber orders a nonspecific beta-
n n n n n n n n n n n
agonist medication. n
Besides evaluating the patient for a reduction in respiratory distress, the n
n n n n n n n n n n n
urse should monitor for which side effect? - ANS ✓YES Tachycardia
n n n n n n n n n n
Correct! Beta- n
agonists are used for asthma because of their beta2 effects on bronchial sm
n n n n n n n n n n n n
ooth muscle, causing dilation. Beta1 effects cause tachycardia and hyperten
n n n n n n n n n
sion. Beta receptors do not exert effects on the bladder.
n n n n n n n n n
A patient is experiencing toxic side effects from atropine, including deliriu
n n n n n n n n n n
m and hallucinations. Which medication should the provider administer? -
n n n n n n n n n
ANS ✓YES Physostigmine
n n n
WGU D116 n
, 2
WGU
Correct! Physostigmine is the drug of choice for treating poisoning from atr
n n n n n n n n n n n
opine and other drugs that cause muscarinic blockade. Donepezil is used to
n n n n n n n n n n n
ntreat Alzheimer disease. Edrophonium is used to distinguish between a my
n n n n n n n n n n
asthenic crisis and a cholinesterase inhibitor overdose. Neostigmine does n
n n n n n n n n n
ot cross the blood-
n n n
brain barrier and would not effectively treat this patient's central nervous
n n n n n n n n n n n
system (CNS) symptoms. n n
A patient brought to the emergency department requires sutures. The pres
n n n n n n n n n n
criber orders a local anesthetic with epinephrine.
n n n n n n
The epinephrine is ordered to ___________. -
n n n n n n
ANS ✓allow a reduced dose of the anesthetic
n n n n n n n n
Correct! Epinephrine prolongs absorption of the anesthetic because it is an
n n n n n n n n n n n
alpha1 agonist. It is frequently combined with a local anesthetic for this pu
n n n n n n n n n n n n
rpose so the amount of anesthetic required may be reduced. Local anesthet
n n n n n n n n n n n
ics do not induce hypertension; therefore, epinephrine would not be neede
n n n n n n n n n n
d to prevent it. Epinephrine does not act as an antiemetic and would not re
n n n n n n n n n n n n n n
duce anesthetic- n
induced nausea. Epinephrine is not used to reduce the pain of an injection.
n n n n n n n n n n n n
A patient has been diagnosed with Parkinson disease (PD) and begins treat
n n n n n n n n n n n
ment with carbidopa. After several months of therapy, the patient reports n
n n n n n n n n n n n
o change in symptoms.
n n n
As the provider, you should do which of the following? -
n n n n n n n n n n
ANS ✓Increase the dose of carbidopa
n n n n n n
Discuss the "on-off" phenomenon n n n
Reevaluate the diagnosis n n
NO Add a dopamine agonist
n n n n
Incorrect. Adding a dopamine agonist is not indicated.
n n n n n n n
A patient who is taking oral contraceptives begins taking valproic acid for s
n n n n n n n n n n n n
eizures. After a week of therapy with valproic acid, the patient tells the nur
n n n n n n n n n n n n n
se that she is experiencing nausea.
n n n n n
WGU D116 n
, 3
WGU
What should the nurse do? - n n n n n
ANS ✓YES Ask the patient if she is taking the valproic acid with food because taki
n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n
ng the drug on an empty stomach can cause gastrointestinal side effects
n n n n n n n n n n n
Correct! Gastrointestinal effects, including nausea, vomiting, and indigestio
n n n n n n n
n, are common with valproic acid and can be minimized by taking the drug
n n n n n n n n n n n n n n
with food or using an enteric-
n n n n n
coated product. Hyperammonemia can occur when valproic acid is combin
n n n n n n n n n
ed with topiramate. Signs of pregnancy usually do not occur within a week,
n n n n n n n n n n n n n
so this is less likely. Hepatotoxicity is a rare adverse effect.
n n n n n n n n n n
A patient with cerebral palsy who has been receiving baclofen via gastrosto
n n n n n n n n n n n
my tube for three months is admitted to the hospital for evaluation of new-
n n n n n n n n n n n n n
onset seizures. n
What might you suspect to be the cause of these seizures? -
n n n n n n n n n n n
ANS ✓YES Missed doses of baclofen
n n n n n n
Correct! Baclofen does not appear to cause physical dependence, but abrup
n n n n n n n n n n
t discontinuation has been associated with adverse reactions. Abrupt withd
n n n n n n n n n
rawal of oral baclofen can cause visual hallucinations, paranoid ideation, a
n n n n n n n n n n
nd seizures and should be considered when a patient develops these sympt
n n n n n n n n n n n
oms. Seizures are not a symptom of baclofen toxicity.
n n n n n n n n
A nurse is preparing a patient to go home from the emergency department
n n n n n n n n n n n n n
after receiving sutures for a laceration on one hand. The provider used lido
n n n n n n n n n n n n
caine with epinephrine as a local anesthetic.
n n n n n n
Which symptom in this patient causes the most concern? -
n n n n n n n n n
ANS ✓YES Nervousness and tachycardia
n n n n n
Correct! Absorption of the vasoconstrictor can cause systemic effects, inclu
n n n n n n n n n
ding nervousness and tachycardia. If severe, alpha- and beta-
n n n n n n n n
adrenergic antagonists can be given. Local anesthetics are nonselective mo
n n n n n n n n n
difiers of neuronal function and can block motor neurons, so it is expected
n n n n n n n n n n n n n
that patients may have difficulty with movement. The sensation of pressure
n n n n n n n n n n
nalso is affected and is an expected effect. As the local anesthetic wears off, t
n n n n n n n n n n n n n n
he sensation of pain will return.
n n n n n
WGU D116 n
, 4
WGU
A patient who has recurrent migraine headaches is prescribed sumatriptan
n n n n n n n n n
. Which aspect of this patient's history is of concern when taking this drug?
n n n n n n n n n n n n n n
- ANS ✓Coronary artery disease
n n n n
Adverse events include coronary vasospasm.
n n n n
Incorrect. There is no contraindication for asthma, diabetes, or renal disea
n n n n n n n n n n
se.
A patient who has been taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) for d
n n n n n n n n n n n n
epression for several months tells the provider that the medication has not
n n n n n n n n n n n n
helped with symptoms. You plan to switch the patient to an SSRI.
n n n n n n n n n n n
What should you instruct the nurse to teach this patient? -
n n n n n n n n n n
ANS ✓YES "Stop taking the MAOI two weeks before starting the SSRI."
n n n n n n n n n n n n
Correct! MAOIs increase serotonin receptor (5-
n n n n n
HT) availability, thus greatly increasing the risk of serotonin syndrome. MA
n n n n n n n n n n
OIs should be withdrawn at least 14 days before an SSRI is started. An SSRI
n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n
should never be given at the same time as an MAOI. It is not necessary to w
n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n
ait five weeks before starting an SSRI.
n n n n n n
A patient is admitted to a hospital for treatment for first-
n n n n n n n n n n
time symptoms of mania and is exhibiting euphoric mania.
n n n n n n n n
Which medication should you order? - ANS ✓YES Lithium
n n n n n n n n
Correct! In almost all cases of mania, divalproex sodium is the drug of choic
n n n n n n n n n n n n n
e, except for euphoric mania symptoms. Lithium is used to treat euphoric
n n n n n n n n n n n n
mania. Olanzapine and risperidone are used to treat other symptoms that a
n n n n n n n n n n n
re associated with borderline personality disorder (BPD).
n n n n n n
A patient is brought to the emergency department with shortness of breath
n n n n n n n n n n n
, a respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute, intercostal retractions, and fr
n n n n n n n n n n n n
othy, pink sputum. n n
Which drug should the provider administer for this patient? -
n n n n n n n n n
ANS ✓YES Furosemide
n n n
Correct! Furosemide, a potent diuretic, is used when rapid or massive mobi
n n n n n n n n n n n
lization of fluids is needed. This patient shows severe signs of congestive he
n n n n n n n n n n n n
WGU D116 n
WGU
WGU D116 PHARMACOLOGY REVIEW EXAM QUESTI
N N N N N
ONS AND ANSWERS UPDATED (2024/2025) (VERIF
N N N N N
IED ANSWERS) N
An advanced practice registered nurse has diagnosed a 44-year-
n n n n n n n n
old male with depression. A plan is developed to start treatment with medi
n n n n n n n n n n n n
cation. The patient has a history of sexual dysfunction and is concerned abo
n n n n n n n n n n n n
ut taking medication that may worsen this condition.
n n n n n n n
Which antidepressant has the benefit of enhancing libido? -
n n n n n n n n
ANS ✓YES Bupropion
n n n
Correct! Bupropion does not cause sexual dysfunction. This will help the pa
n n n n n n n n n n n
tient with a history of sexual dysfunction. This will enhance the patient's li
n n n n n n n n n n n n
bido, which will help with both depression and sexual dysfunction.
n n n n n n n n n
A patient is wheezing and short of breath. The nurse assesses a heart rate o
n n n n n n n n n n n n n n
f 88 beats per minute, a respiratory rate of 24 breaths per minute, and a bl
n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n
ood pressure of 124/78 mm Hg. The prescriber orders a nonspecific beta-
n n n n n n n n n n n
agonist medication. n
Besides evaluating the patient for a reduction in respiratory distress, the n
n n n n n n n n n n n
urse should monitor for which side effect? - ANS ✓YES Tachycardia
n n n n n n n n n n
Correct! Beta- n
agonists are used for asthma because of their beta2 effects on bronchial sm
n n n n n n n n n n n n
ooth muscle, causing dilation. Beta1 effects cause tachycardia and hyperten
n n n n n n n n n
sion. Beta receptors do not exert effects on the bladder.
n n n n n n n n n
A patient is experiencing toxic side effects from atropine, including deliriu
n n n n n n n n n n
m and hallucinations. Which medication should the provider administer? -
n n n n n n n n n
ANS ✓YES Physostigmine
n n n
WGU D116 n
, 2
WGU
Correct! Physostigmine is the drug of choice for treating poisoning from atr
n n n n n n n n n n n
opine and other drugs that cause muscarinic blockade. Donepezil is used to
n n n n n n n n n n n
ntreat Alzheimer disease. Edrophonium is used to distinguish between a my
n n n n n n n n n n
asthenic crisis and a cholinesterase inhibitor overdose. Neostigmine does n
n n n n n n n n n
ot cross the blood-
n n n
brain barrier and would not effectively treat this patient's central nervous
n n n n n n n n n n n
system (CNS) symptoms. n n
A patient brought to the emergency department requires sutures. The pres
n n n n n n n n n n
criber orders a local anesthetic with epinephrine.
n n n n n n
The epinephrine is ordered to ___________. -
n n n n n n
ANS ✓allow a reduced dose of the anesthetic
n n n n n n n n
Correct! Epinephrine prolongs absorption of the anesthetic because it is an
n n n n n n n n n n n
alpha1 agonist. It is frequently combined with a local anesthetic for this pu
n n n n n n n n n n n n
rpose so the amount of anesthetic required may be reduced. Local anesthet
n n n n n n n n n n n
ics do not induce hypertension; therefore, epinephrine would not be neede
n n n n n n n n n n
d to prevent it. Epinephrine does not act as an antiemetic and would not re
n n n n n n n n n n n n n n
duce anesthetic- n
induced nausea. Epinephrine is not used to reduce the pain of an injection.
n n n n n n n n n n n n
A patient has been diagnosed with Parkinson disease (PD) and begins treat
n n n n n n n n n n n
ment with carbidopa. After several months of therapy, the patient reports n
n n n n n n n n n n n
o change in symptoms.
n n n
As the provider, you should do which of the following? -
n n n n n n n n n n
ANS ✓Increase the dose of carbidopa
n n n n n n
Discuss the "on-off" phenomenon n n n
Reevaluate the diagnosis n n
NO Add a dopamine agonist
n n n n
Incorrect. Adding a dopamine agonist is not indicated.
n n n n n n n
A patient who is taking oral contraceptives begins taking valproic acid for s
n n n n n n n n n n n n
eizures. After a week of therapy with valproic acid, the patient tells the nur
n n n n n n n n n n n n n
se that she is experiencing nausea.
n n n n n
WGU D116 n
, 3
WGU
What should the nurse do? - n n n n n
ANS ✓YES Ask the patient if she is taking the valproic acid with food because taki
n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n
ng the drug on an empty stomach can cause gastrointestinal side effects
n n n n n n n n n n n
Correct! Gastrointestinal effects, including nausea, vomiting, and indigestio
n n n n n n n
n, are common with valproic acid and can be minimized by taking the drug
n n n n n n n n n n n n n n
with food or using an enteric-
n n n n n
coated product. Hyperammonemia can occur when valproic acid is combin
n n n n n n n n n
ed with topiramate. Signs of pregnancy usually do not occur within a week,
n n n n n n n n n n n n n
so this is less likely. Hepatotoxicity is a rare adverse effect.
n n n n n n n n n n
A patient with cerebral palsy who has been receiving baclofen via gastrosto
n n n n n n n n n n n
my tube for three months is admitted to the hospital for evaluation of new-
n n n n n n n n n n n n n
onset seizures. n
What might you suspect to be the cause of these seizures? -
n n n n n n n n n n n
ANS ✓YES Missed doses of baclofen
n n n n n n
Correct! Baclofen does not appear to cause physical dependence, but abrup
n n n n n n n n n n
t discontinuation has been associated with adverse reactions. Abrupt withd
n n n n n n n n n
rawal of oral baclofen can cause visual hallucinations, paranoid ideation, a
n n n n n n n n n n
nd seizures and should be considered when a patient develops these sympt
n n n n n n n n n n n
oms. Seizures are not a symptom of baclofen toxicity.
n n n n n n n n
A nurse is preparing a patient to go home from the emergency department
n n n n n n n n n n n n n
after receiving sutures for a laceration on one hand. The provider used lido
n n n n n n n n n n n n
caine with epinephrine as a local anesthetic.
n n n n n n
Which symptom in this patient causes the most concern? -
n n n n n n n n n
ANS ✓YES Nervousness and tachycardia
n n n n n
Correct! Absorption of the vasoconstrictor can cause systemic effects, inclu
n n n n n n n n n
ding nervousness and tachycardia. If severe, alpha- and beta-
n n n n n n n n
adrenergic antagonists can be given. Local anesthetics are nonselective mo
n n n n n n n n n
difiers of neuronal function and can block motor neurons, so it is expected
n n n n n n n n n n n n n
that patients may have difficulty with movement. The sensation of pressure
n n n n n n n n n n
nalso is affected and is an expected effect. As the local anesthetic wears off, t
n n n n n n n n n n n n n n
he sensation of pain will return.
n n n n n
WGU D116 n
, 4
WGU
A patient who has recurrent migraine headaches is prescribed sumatriptan
n n n n n n n n n
. Which aspect of this patient's history is of concern when taking this drug?
n n n n n n n n n n n n n n
- ANS ✓Coronary artery disease
n n n n
Adverse events include coronary vasospasm.
n n n n
Incorrect. There is no contraindication for asthma, diabetes, or renal disea
n n n n n n n n n n
se.
A patient who has been taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) for d
n n n n n n n n n n n n
epression for several months tells the provider that the medication has not
n n n n n n n n n n n n
helped with symptoms. You plan to switch the patient to an SSRI.
n n n n n n n n n n n
What should you instruct the nurse to teach this patient? -
n n n n n n n n n n
ANS ✓YES "Stop taking the MAOI two weeks before starting the SSRI."
n n n n n n n n n n n n
Correct! MAOIs increase serotonin receptor (5-
n n n n n
HT) availability, thus greatly increasing the risk of serotonin syndrome. MA
n n n n n n n n n n
OIs should be withdrawn at least 14 days before an SSRI is started. An SSRI
n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n
should never be given at the same time as an MAOI. It is not necessary to w
n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n
ait five weeks before starting an SSRI.
n n n n n n
A patient is admitted to a hospital for treatment for first-
n n n n n n n n n n
time symptoms of mania and is exhibiting euphoric mania.
n n n n n n n n
Which medication should you order? - ANS ✓YES Lithium
n n n n n n n n
Correct! In almost all cases of mania, divalproex sodium is the drug of choic
n n n n n n n n n n n n n
e, except for euphoric mania symptoms. Lithium is used to treat euphoric
n n n n n n n n n n n n
mania. Olanzapine and risperidone are used to treat other symptoms that a
n n n n n n n n n n n
re associated with borderline personality disorder (BPD).
n n n n n n
A patient is brought to the emergency department with shortness of breath
n n n n n n n n n n n
, a respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute, intercostal retractions, and fr
n n n n n n n n n n n n
othy, pink sputum. n n
Which drug should the provider administer for this patient? -
n n n n n n n n n
ANS ✓YES Furosemide
n n n
Correct! Furosemide, a potent diuretic, is used when rapid or massive mobi
n n n n n n n n n n n
lization of fluids is needed. This patient shows severe signs of congestive he
n n n n n n n n n n n n
WGU D116 n
