WGU D398: Study Guide: Introduction to Pharmacology – D398 | 2026 Update-

Study Guide: Introduction to Pharmacology – D398 (WGU)

This guide is designed to help you prepare efficiently for Western
Governors University’s Western Governors University Introduction to
Pharmacology – D398 course. Since WGU courses focus on competency
mastery, this guide emphasizes core concepts, medication safety, and likely
assessment areas.



Course Overview

Pharmacology is the study of:

 Drugs and medications

 How drugs work in the body

 How the body processes drugs

 Safe medication administration

 Therapeutic uses and side effects

 Nursing responsibilities and patient education

You’ll need to understand both science + clinical application.



Unit 1: Foundations of Pharmacology

Key Terms to Know

 Pharmacology – study of drugs

 Drug – chemical used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease

 Pharmacokinetics – what the body does to the drug

 Pharmacodynamics – what the drug does to the body

 Therapeutic effect – intended beneficial effect

 Adverse effect – unintended harmful effect

 Side effect – predictable secondary effect

 Toxicity – harmful drug levels

 Contraindication – reason not to use a drug

1

,Drug Names

Know the 3 names:

1. Chemical name

2. Generic name (official)

3. Brand/Trade name

Example:

 Generic: acetaminophen

 Brand: Tylenol



Unit 2: Pharmacokinetics (ADME)

Absorption

How drug enters bloodstream.

Factors affecting absorption:

 Route of administration

 Blood flow

 Food intake

 pH

 GI motility

Distribution

How drug moves through body tissues.

Factors:

 Protein binding

 Blood flow

 Body fat/water composition

Metabolism

Usually occurs in the liver.

Important concept:

2

,  First-pass effect = oral drugs metabolized before reaching circulation

Excretion

Usually through:

 Kidneys

 Urine

Important labs:

 BUN

 Creatinine

 GFR

Memory trick: A D M E



Unit 3: Pharmacodynamics

Drug Actions

 Agonist = activates receptor

 Antagonist = blocks receptor

Dose Response Concepts

 Potency = amount needed for effect

 Efficacy = maximum effect possible

Therapeutic Index

Difference between therapeutic dose and toxic dose.

Narrow therapeutic index drugs require close monitoring.

Examples:

 Warfarin

 Digoxin

 Lithium



Unit 4: Routes of Administration

3

, Enteral

 Oral (PO)

 Sublingual

 Buccal

 Rectal

Parenteral

 Intradermal

 Subcutaneous

 Intramuscular

 Intravenous

Topical / Other

 Transdermal

 Inhalation

 Ophthalmic

 Otic

 Nasal

Know:

 IV = fastest onset

 Oral = safest/convenient

 Sublingual avoids first-pass metabolism



Unit 5: Medication Safety

Rights of Medication Administration

Most common version:

1. Right patient

2. Right medication

3. Right dose

4