WGU D441 PHARMACOLOGY
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT 2026 200
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES LATEST EXAM PREP
PACK
Pharmacology Objective Assessment (D441)
1. A 67-year-old patient with a history of hypertension and chronic
kidney disease is prescribed lisinopril. The nurse monitors for which
expected pharmacologic effect of this medication?
A. Increased sodium retention
B. Decreased angiotensin II production
C. Increased aldosterone secretion
D. Vasoconstriction
Rationale: ACE inhibitors block conversion of angiotensin I to II,
leading to vasodilation and reduced blood pressure.
2. A patient taking warfarin is instructed about dietary considerations.
Which statement indicates proper understanding?
A. I will avoid all green vegetables permanently
B. I can eat anything as long as I take my medication
C. I will maintain consistent vitamin K intake daily
D. I should double my dose if I eat spinach
Rationale: Consistency in vitamin K intake prevents fluctuations in
anticoagulation.
3. A nurse administers morphine sulfate for severe pain. Which adverse
effect requires immediate intervention?
A. Mild constipation
B. Drowsiness
C. Respiratory depression
D. Nausea
,Rationale: Respiratory depression is the most dangerous opioid
adverse effect.
4. A patient with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. Which
mechanism explains its therapeutic effect?
A. Stimulates insulin secretion
B. Delays carbohydrate absorption
C. Decreases hepatic glucose production
D. Increases insulin resistance
Rationale: Metformin primarily reduces liver glucose output.
5. A patient taking furosemide reports muscle cramps and weakness.
Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Rationale: Loop diuretics cause potassium loss.
6. A nurse is educating a patient about nitroglycerin use. What is the
primary mechanism of action?
A. Increases cardiac output
B. Decreases heart rate
C. Causes vasodilation of coronary arteries
D. Blocks calcium channels
Rationale: Nitroglycerin dilates vessels, reducing preload and
improving oxygen delivery.
7. A patient on digoxin therapy shows toxicity. Which symptom is most
indicative?
A. Hypertension
B. Diarrhea
C. Yellow-green vision disturbances
D. Increased appetite
Rationale: Visual disturbances are classic signs of digoxin toxicity.
,8. A nurse administers insulin lispro. When should the patient eat?
A. 1 hour later
B. Immediately or within 15 minutes
C. 2 hours later
D. At bedtime
Rationale: Rapid-acting insulin requires immediate food intake to
prevent hypoglycemia.
9. A patient taking corticosteroids long-term is at risk for which
condition?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Immunosuppression
C. Weight loss
D. Decreased appetite
Rationale: Steroids suppress immune function.
10. A patient receives heparin therapy. Which lab value is monitored?
A. INR
B. Platelet count only
C. aPTT
D. Hemoglobin
Rationale: aPTT monitors heparin effectiveness.
11. A patient taking benzodiazepines should avoid which substance?
A. Vitamin C
B. Milk
C. Alcohol
D. Fiber
Rationale: Alcohol increases CNS depression.
12. A nurse administers albuterol inhaler. What is its purpose?
A. Reduce inflammation
B. Bronchodilation
, C. Decrease mucus
D. Sedation
Rationale: Albuterol is a beta-agonist bronchodilator.
13. A patient on statins should report which symptom?
A. Headache
B. Muscle pain
C. Dry mouth
D. Sneezing
Rationale: Muscle pain may indicate rhabdomyolysis.
14. A patient taking SSRIs should be monitored for:
A. Hypertension
B. Bradycardia
C. Serotonin syndrome
D. Hypoglycemia
Rationale: Excess serotonin can be life-threatening.
15. A nurse teaches about antibiotics. Which statement is correct?
A. Stop when symptoms improve
B. Skip doses if feeling better
C. Complete the full course
D. Double dose if missed
Rationale: Completing therapy prevents resistance.
16. A patient taking NSAIDs is at risk for:
A. Liver failure only
B. GI bleeding
C. Hypotension
D. Hyperglycemia
Rationale: NSAIDs irritate gastric mucosa.
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT 2026 200
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES LATEST EXAM PREP
PACK
Pharmacology Objective Assessment (D441)
1. A 67-year-old patient with a history of hypertension and chronic
kidney disease is prescribed lisinopril. The nurse monitors for which
expected pharmacologic effect of this medication?
A. Increased sodium retention
B. Decreased angiotensin II production
C. Increased aldosterone secretion
D. Vasoconstriction
Rationale: ACE inhibitors block conversion of angiotensin I to II,
leading to vasodilation and reduced blood pressure.
2. A patient taking warfarin is instructed about dietary considerations.
Which statement indicates proper understanding?
A. I will avoid all green vegetables permanently
B. I can eat anything as long as I take my medication
C. I will maintain consistent vitamin K intake daily
D. I should double my dose if I eat spinach
Rationale: Consistency in vitamin K intake prevents fluctuations in
anticoagulation.
3. A nurse administers morphine sulfate for severe pain. Which adverse
effect requires immediate intervention?
A. Mild constipation
B. Drowsiness
C. Respiratory depression
D. Nausea
,Rationale: Respiratory depression is the most dangerous opioid
adverse effect.
4. A patient with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. Which
mechanism explains its therapeutic effect?
A. Stimulates insulin secretion
B. Delays carbohydrate absorption
C. Decreases hepatic glucose production
D. Increases insulin resistance
Rationale: Metformin primarily reduces liver glucose output.
5. A patient taking furosemide reports muscle cramps and weakness.
Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Rationale: Loop diuretics cause potassium loss.
6. A nurse is educating a patient about nitroglycerin use. What is the
primary mechanism of action?
A. Increases cardiac output
B. Decreases heart rate
C. Causes vasodilation of coronary arteries
D. Blocks calcium channels
Rationale: Nitroglycerin dilates vessels, reducing preload and
improving oxygen delivery.
7. A patient on digoxin therapy shows toxicity. Which symptom is most
indicative?
A. Hypertension
B. Diarrhea
C. Yellow-green vision disturbances
D. Increased appetite
Rationale: Visual disturbances are classic signs of digoxin toxicity.
,8. A nurse administers insulin lispro. When should the patient eat?
A. 1 hour later
B. Immediately or within 15 minutes
C. 2 hours later
D. At bedtime
Rationale: Rapid-acting insulin requires immediate food intake to
prevent hypoglycemia.
9. A patient taking corticosteroids long-term is at risk for which
condition?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Immunosuppression
C. Weight loss
D. Decreased appetite
Rationale: Steroids suppress immune function.
10. A patient receives heparin therapy. Which lab value is monitored?
A. INR
B. Platelet count only
C. aPTT
D. Hemoglobin
Rationale: aPTT monitors heparin effectiveness.
11. A patient taking benzodiazepines should avoid which substance?
A. Vitamin C
B. Milk
C. Alcohol
D. Fiber
Rationale: Alcohol increases CNS depression.
12. A nurse administers albuterol inhaler. What is its purpose?
A. Reduce inflammation
B. Bronchodilation
, C. Decrease mucus
D. Sedation
Rationale: Albuterol is a beta-agonist bronchodilator.
13. A patient on statins should report which symptom?
A. Headache
B. Muscle pain
C. Dry mouth
D. Sneezing
Rationale: Muscle pain may indicate rhabdomyolysis.
14. A patient taking SSRIs should be monitored for:
A. Hypertension
B. Bradycardia
C. Serotonin syndrome
D. Hypoglycemia
Rationale: Excess serotonin can be life-threatening.
15. A nurse teaches about antibiotics. Which statement is correct?
A. Stop when symptoms improve
B. Skip doses if feeling better
C. Complete the full course
D. Double dose if missed
Rationale: Completing therapy prevents resistance.
16. A patient taking NSAIDs is at risk for:
A. Liver failure only
B. GI bleeding
C. Hypotension
D. Hyperglycemia
Rationale: NSAIDs irritate gastric mucosa.
