WGU D027 PATHOPHARMACOLOGICAL
ADVANCED FOUNDATIONS EXAM
QUESTIONS LATEST AND UPDATED:
2025/2026
WITH CORRECT/ACCURATE ANSWERS
AT WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY
(WGU)
Key topics covered in D027
Genetics and epigenetics
Immunology
, Pathophysiology of major systems >> Cardiovascular system,
Endocrine system, Neurological system
Advanced pharmacology
Social determinants of health
ADVANCED PATHOPHARMACOLOGICAL
FOUNDATIONS
What are some physical changes from Alzheimer's dementia? - CORRECT
ANSWERS-- Brain shrinks dramatically; nerve cell death and tissue loss
- Cardinal signs: plaques (abnormal clusters of protein fragments) and
tangles (twisted strands of another protein)
How is Alzheimer's treated? - CORRECT ANSWERS-- There is no cure, but
there are pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments
- Cholinesterase inhibitors
- Memantine (namenda)
What are cholinesterase inhibitors prescribed for? - CORRECT ANSWERS--
To treat symptoms related to memory, thinking, language, judgment, and
other processes
- Helps delay or slow the worsening of symptoms
What does cholinesterase inhibitors do? - CORRECT ANSWERS-- Prevent
the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger that is important
for learning and memory
- Supports communication among nerve cells by keeping the acetylcholine
high
What are some commonly prescribed cholinesterase inhibitors? -
CORRECT ANSWERS-- Donepezil (aricept)
,- Galantamine (razadyne)
- Rivastigmine (exeleon)
Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for all stages of Alzheimer's? -
CORRECT ANSWERS-- Donepezil (aricept)
Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for mild-to-moderate stages of
Alzheimer's? - CORRECT ANSWERS-- Galantamine (razadyne)
- Rivastigmine (exeleon)
Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for mild-to-moderate
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's? - CORRECT ANSWERS-- Rivastigmine
(exeleon)
What medication combination is used to treat moderate-to-severe
Alzheimer's? - CORRECT ANSWERS-- Memantine (namenda) and donepezil
(aricept)
What is memantine (namenda) used for? - CORRECT ANSWERS--
Prescribed to improve memory, attention, reason, language, and the
ability to perform simple tasks
- Can be used alone or with other Alzheimer's disease treatments
How does memantine (namenda) work? - CORRECT ANSWERS-- Regulates
the activity of glutamate, a chemical involved in information processing,
storage, and retrieval
- Improves mental functioning and ability to perform daily activities for
some people
What is the difference in MOA between cholinesterase inhibitors and
memantine (namenda)? - CORRECT ANSWERS-- Cholinesterase inhibitors
, prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, whereas memantine (namenda)
regulates the activity of glutamate
What is ataxia? - CORRECT ANSWERS-- Also known as cerebellum attacks
- Degenerative disease of the nervous system
- Many symptoms mimic those of being drunk (i.e. slurred speech,
stumbling, falling, and incoordination)
What causes the symptoms of ataxia? - CORRECT ANSWERS-- The
damage caused to the cerebellum, the part of the brain that is responsible
for coordinating movements
- Can also be caused by damage to part of the spinal cord and nerves
What is the treatment for ataxia? - CORRECT ANSWERS-- No treatment
- In some cases, treating the underlying causes (i.e. stopping medications
that cause ataxia)
- In other cases, it is a result from chicken pox or other viral infections
(likely to resolve on its own)
- Genetic causes/predisposed disposition is usually chronic
What causes ataxia in the pediatric population? - CORRECT ANSWERS--
Genetic predisposition
- Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS)
- Prader-Willie Syndrome
ATAXIA
Ataxia is a neurological sign characterized by a lack of muscle coordination during
voluntary movements, leading to awkward, clumsy, or unsteady movements. It is a
symptom of an underlying condition or can be a specific type of degenerative
disorder itself.
Ataxia often results from damage to the cerebellum, the part of the brain
responsible for controlling balance, coordination, speech, and eye movements.
ADVANCED FOUNDATIONS EXAM
QUESTIONS LATEST AND UPDATED:
2025/2026
WITH CORRECT/ACCURATE ANSWERS
AT WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY
(WGU)
Key topics covered in D027
Genetics and epigenetics
Immunology
, Pathophysiology of major systems >> Cardiovascular system,
Endocrine system, Neurological system
Advanced pharmacology
Social determinants of health
ADVANCED PATHOPHARMACOLOGICAL
FOUNDATIONS
What are some physical changes from Alzheimer's dementia? - CORRECT
ANSWERS-- Brain shrinks dramatically; nerve cell death and tissue loss
- Cardinal signs: plaques (abnormal clusters of protein fragments) and
tangles (twisted strands of another protein)
How is Alzheimer's treated? - CORRECT ANSWERS-- There is no cure, but
there are pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments
- Cholinesterase inhibitors
- Memantine (namenda)
What are cholinesterase inhibitors prescribed for? - CORRECT ANSWERS--
To treat symptoms related to memory, thinking, language, judgment, and
other processes
- Helps delay or slow the worsening of symptoms
What does cholinesterase inhibitors do? - CORRECT ANSWERS-- Prevent
the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger that is important
for learning and memory
- Supports communication among nerve cells by keeping the acetylcholine
high
What are some commonly prescribed cholinesterase inhibitors? -
CORRECT ANSWERS-- Donepezil (aricept)
,- Galantamine (razadyne)
- Rivastigmine (exeleon)
Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for all stages of Alzheimer's? -
CORRECT ANSWERS-- Donepezil (aricept)
Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for mild-to-moderate stages of
Alzheimer's? - CORRECT ANSWERS-- Galantamine (razadyne)
- Rivastigmine (exeleon)
Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for mild-to-moderate
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's? - CORRECT ANSWERS-- Rivastigmine
(exeleon)
What medication combination is used to treat moderate-to-severe
Alzheimer's? - CORRECT ANSWERS-- Memantine (namenda) and donepezil
(aricept)
What is memantine (namenda) used for? - CORRECT ANSWERS--
Prescribed to improve memory, attention, reason, language, and the
ability to perform simple tasks
- Can be used alone or with other Alzheimer's disease treatments
How does memantine (namenda) work? - CORRECT ANSWERS-- Regulates
the activity of glutamate, a chemical involved in information processing,
storage, and retrieval
- Improves mental functioning and ability to perform daily activities for
some people
What is the difference in MOA between cholinesterase inhibitors and
memantine (namenda)? - CORRECT ANSWERS-- Cholinesterase inhibitors
, prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, whereas memantine (namenda)
regulates the activity of glutamate
What is ataxia? - CORRECT ANSWERS-- Also known as cerebellum attacks
- Degenerative disease of the nervous system
- Many symptoms mimic those of being drunk (i.e. slurred speech,
stumbling, falling, and incoordination)
What causes the symptoms of ataxia? - CORRECT ANSWERS-- The
damage caused to the cerebellum, the part of the brain that is responsible
for coordinating movements
- Can also be caused by damage to part of the spinal cord and nerves
What is the treatment for ataxia? - CORRECT ANSWERS-- No treatment
- In some cases, treating the underlying causes (i.e. stopping medications
that cause ataxia)
- In other cases, it is a result from chicken pox or other viral infections
(likely to resolve on its own)
- Genetic causes/predisposed disposition is usually chronic
What causes ataxia in the pediatric population? - CORRECT ANSWERS--
Genetic predisposition
- Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS)
- Prader-Willie Syndrome
ATAXIA
Ataxia is a neurological sign characterized by a lack of muscle coordination during
voluntary movements, leading to awkward, clumsy, or unsteady movements. It is a
symptom of an underlying condition or can be a specific type of degenerative
disorder itself.
Ataxia often results from damage to the cerebellum, the part of the brain
responsible for controlling balance, coordination, speech, and eye movements.
