WGU D398 Introduction to Pharmacology OA Actual Exam Questions and Answers Latest Update

Exam Coverage Summary
Drug Laws & Standards
 1906 Pure Food and Drug Act: prohibited adulterated/mislabeled products
 1938 Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act: required labeling, drug approval, warning labels
 1970 Controlled Substances Act: established DEA, set standards for abused drugs
 FDA functions: investigates/removes unsafe drugs, ensures safety/efficacy
 Drug schedules I-V based on abuse potential and medical use
Drug Naming & Classification
 Three identifiers: chemical, generic, trade/brand names
 Drug classes: grouped by mechanism of action
 Drug standards: uniform strength, quality, purity
Routes of Administration
 Enteral: oral, sublingual, rectal, NG, buccal (through GI tract)
 Parenteral: injections (IV, IM, SC) - fastest absorption, bypasses GI
 Non-parenteral: topical, transdermal, ophthalmic, otic, inhalation, nasal
 Abbreviations: PO (by mouth), BID (twice daily), PR (rectal), C (with)
Pharmacokinetics (ADME)
 Absorption: drug movement from site to bloodstream
 Distribution: from bloodstream to organs/cells
 Metabolism: chemical alteration (mainly liver)
 Excretion: elimination from body
 Half-life: time for 50% drug elimination
 Drug interactions: synergism, potentiation, antagonism
Medication Safety
 Rights of administration (7 rights): drug, client, time, documentation, route,
technique, dosage
 Sentinel events: severe errors causing death/significant harm
 Medication reconciliation: 5 steps (list current, list prescribed, compare, decide,
communicate)
 Poison control: 1-800-222-1222

,  Highest poisoning risk: ages 1-5
Cardiovascular Drugs
 Cardiac glycosides (digoxin): increase cardiac contraction force
 Antiarrhythmics (amiodarone): suppress arrhythmias
 Beta-blockers (metoprolol): block beta receptors, lower BP
 Calcium channel blockers (amlodipine): inhibit calcium entry, lower BP
 Diuretics (HCTZ): increase urine output, lower BP
 ACE inhibitors (lisinopril): block ACE, decrease angiotensin II
 ARBs (losartan): block angiotensin receptors directly
 Vasodilators (nitroglycerin): increase blood supply, treat angina
 Antilipemics (atorvastatin, fenofibrate): lower cholesterol/triglycerides
 Antithrombotics (warfarin): prevent blood clotting
Respiratory Drugs
 Bronchodilators: SABA (albuterol), LABA (formoterol)
 Anticholinergics (ipratropium): block nervous receptors
 Xanthines (theophylline): relax bronchial smooth muscle
 Inhaled corticosteroids (fluticasone): reduce inflammation
 Expectorants (guaifenesin): thin mucus
 Antitussives (dextromethorphan): suppress cough
 Antihistamines: first-gen (diphenhydramine) sedating; second-gen (loratadine) non-
sedating
 Decongestants (pseudoephedrine, oxymetazoline)
GI Drugs
 Antacids (calcium carbonate, Maalox): neutralize stomach acid
 H2 blockers (famotidine, cimetidine): reduce acid production
 PPIs (omeprazole, esomeprazole): inhibit acid pumps
 Antidiarrheals: bismuth subsalicylate, opiate agonists (loperamide)
 Laxatives/stool softeners (psyllium, docusate)
 Antiemetics: dimenhydrinate, meclizine, promethazine
Endocrine Drugs
 Adrenal corticosteroids (prednisone): reduce inflammation
 Thyroid replacement (levothyroxine): treat hypothyroidism

,  Antithyroid (methimazole, PTU): treat hyperthyroidism
 Insulins: rapid (aspart), intermediate (NPH), long-acting (glargine)
 Biguanides (metformin): decrease liver glucose production
 Sulfonylureas (glipizide): increase insulin production
GU/Reproductive Drugs
 Antiandrogens (finasteride): treat BPH
 Alpha-blockers (tamsulosin): relax prostate/bladder
 Urinary analgesic (phenazopyridine): treat UTI pain
Antibiotics
 Bactericidal vs bacteriostatic
 Beta-lactams: penicillins, cephalosporins
 Macrolides (azithromycin): least toxic, treat respiratory/STIs
 Fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin): UTIs, respiratory, bone/joint
 Aminoglycosides (gentamicin): IV only, potent
 Tetracyclines (doxycycline): acne, chlamydia, rickettsia
 Carbapenems (imipenem): serious hospital infections
 Others: clindamycin, metronidazole, vancomycin
Antineoplastic Drugs
 Antimetabolites (methotrexate): affect dividing cells
 Alkylating agents (cisplatin): prevent cell growth
 Mitotic inhibitors (vincristine): inhibit cell division
 Antitumor antibiotics (doxorubicin): target cancer cell DNA
 Biologics: active (interferons), passive (monoclonal antibodies)
 Targeted therapies (Gleevec): oral, block cell signals
 Radioactive isotopes (sodium iodine): targeted radiation
CNS/Psych Drugs
 ADHD treatments: stimulants (modafinil), non-stimulants (Strattera)
 Antidepressants: SSRIs (fluoxetine), SNRIs, TCAs
 Benzodiazepines (diazepam): sedative, anti-anxiety
 Lithium: bipolar disorder
 Anticonvulsants (valproate): also treat bipolar
 Antipsychotics: typical (haloperidol), atypical (quetiapine)

,  Alcoholism treatments: disulfiram, naltrexone
Nutrition & Supplements
 DRIs: RDAs (minimum), AI (estimated), UL (maximum)
 Fat-soluble vitamins: A, D, E, K (store in body, overdose risk)
 Water-soluble vitamins: B, C (excreted in urine)
 Essential minerals: sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, iron, zinc
 Electrolytes: maintain fluid balance
 Dietary supplements: vitamins, minerals, probiotics, herbs



250 Questions

1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient with heart failure. Which
assessment finding would indicate a potential toxic effect of this medication?
A) Increased appetite and weight gain
B) Visual disturbances including halos around lights
C) Decreased heart rate with bounding pulses
D) Elevated blood pressure with bradycardia
Digoxin toxicity commonly presents with visual disturbances such as seeing halos or yellow-
green color changes, along with GI symptoms and cardiac arrhythmias.

2. A patient prescribed lisinopril for hypertension develops a persistent dry cough and
reports swelling around the lips. What is the most appropriate action by the healthcare
provider?
A) Continue the medication and add an antitussive
B) Switch the patient to an angiotensin receptor blocker
C) Increase the dosage to improve effectiveness
D) Prescribe an antihistamine to treat both symptoms
Angioedema and cough are known adverse effects of ACE inhibitors; ARBs are often
substituted as they have a lower incidence of these side effects.

3. A 45-year-old patient with type 2 diabetes is started on metformin. Which adverse
effect should the nurse include in the patient teaching plan?
A) Weight gain and fluid retention
B) Gastrointestinal upset and metallic taste
C) Hypoglycemia and tremors