D441 Pharmacology - Week 8 Practice Questions 2026 |WGU
1. A patient is prescribed Albuterol for exercise-induced bronchospasm. Which
statement by the patient indicates a correct understanding of the drug’s action?
A. I will take this medication daily to prevent any future attacks.
B. This medication works by decreasing inflammation in my airways.
C. I should use this inhaler 15 to 30 minutes before I start exercising.
D. I will rinse my mouth out with water after each use to prevent thrush.
Answer: C
Rationale: Albuterol is a Short-Acting Beta-2 Agonist (SABA) used for acute relief or as a
pretreatment for exercise-induced bronchospasm. Rinsing the mouth is for corticosteroids,
and it is not a daily preventer or anti-inflammatory.
2. A nurse is teaching a patient about the use of Beclomethasone, an inhaled
glucocorticoid. Which instruction is most important?
A. Rinse your mouth with water after each use.
B. Use the medication only when you feel short of breath.
C. Limit your fluid intake while on this medication.
D. Expect an immediate improvement in symptoms after the first dose.
Answer: A
Rationale: Inhaled glucocorticoids can cause oropharyngeal candidiasis (thrush). Rinsing
the mouth after use reduces this risk. These are controller medications, not rescue inhalers.
,3. A patient’s Theophylline level is reported as 25 mcg/mL. Which action should
the nurse take first?
A. Administer the next scheduled dose.
B. Increase the patient’s fluid intake.
C. Notify the provider immediately.
D. Document the result as within the normal range.
Answer: C
Rationale: The therapeutic range for Theophylline is 10 to 20 mcg/mL. A level of 25
mcg/mL is toxic and requires immediate notification of the provider.
4. Which of the following is a potential side effect of the anticholinergic
bronchodilator Ipratropium?
A. Dry mouth
B. Diarrhea
C. Bradycardia
D. Excessive salivation
Answer: A
Rationale: Anticholinergics cause ‘drying’ effects, including dry mouth, urinary retention,
and constipation.
5. Montelukast is primarily used for which of the following conditions?
A. Acute asthma attacks
B. Severe anaphylactic reactions
C. Immediate relief of bronchoconstriction
D. Long-term prophylaxis of asthma
Answer: D
Rationale: Montelukast is a leukotriene modifier used for long-term maintenance and
prevention of asthma, not for acute attacks.
, 6. A patient is taking Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for allergic rhinitis. Which
side effect should the nurse emphasize in teaching?
A. Hypertension
B. Drowsiness
C. Insomnia
D. Increased salivation
Answer: B
Rationale: Diphenhydramine is a first-generation antihistamine that crosses the blood-
brain barrier, causing significant sedation/drowsiness.
7. Guaifenesin is prescribed for a patient with a productive cough. The nurse
should instruct the patient to:
A. Take the medication with a full glass of water.
B. Avoid coughing while on this medication.
C. Restrict fluids to thicken mucus.
D. Use a humidifier only if they have a fever.
Answer: A
Rationale: Guaifenesin is an expectorant. Increased fluid intake helps thin secretions,
making them easier to expectorate.
8. A patient has been using Phenylephrine nasal spray for 6 days. The nurse
should monitor for:
A. Systemic hypotension
B. Increased sense of smell
C. Severe bradycardia
D. Rebound nasal congestion
Answer: D
Rationale: Prolonged use (more than 3-5 days) of topical decongestants like
Phenylephrine can cause rebound congestion (rhinitis medicamentosa).
1. A patient is prescribed Albuterol for exercise-induced bronchospasm. Which
statement by the patient indicates a correct understanding of the drug’s action?
A. I will take this medication daily to prevent any future attacks.
B. This medication works by decreasing inflammation in my airways.
C. I should use this inhaler 15 to 30 minutes before I start exercising.
D. I will rinse my mouth out with water after each use to prevent thrush.
Answer: C
Rationale: Albuterol is a Short-Acting Beta-2 Agonist (SABA) used for acute relief or as a
pretreatment for exercise-induced bronchospasm. Rinsing the mouth is for corticosteroids,
and it is not a daily preventer or anti-inflammatory.
2. A nurse is teaching a patient about the use of Beclomethasone, an inhaled
glucocorticoid. Which instruction is most important?
A. Rinse your mouth with water after each use.
B. Use the medication only when you feel short of breath.
C. Limit your fluid intake while on this medication.
D. Expect an immediate improvement in symptoms after the first dose.
Answer: A
Rationale: Inhaled glucocorticoids can cause oropharyngeal candidiasis (thrush). Rinsing
the mouth after use reduces this risk. These are controller medications, not rescue inhalers.
,3. A patient’s Theophylline level is reported as 25 mcg/mL. Which action should
the nurse take first?
A. Administer the next scheduled dose.
B. Increase the patient’s fluid intake.
C. Notify the provider immediately.
D. Document the result as within the normal range.
Answer: C
Rationale: The therapeutic range for Theophylline is 10 to 20 mcg/mL. A level of 25
mcg/mL is toxic and requires immediate notification of the provider.
4. Which of the following is a potential side effect of the anticholinergic
bronchodilator Ipratropium?
A. Dry mouth
B. Diarrhea
C. Bradycardia
D. Excessive salivation
Answer: A
Rationale: Anticholinergics cause ‘drying’ effects, including dry mouth, urinary retention,
and constipation.
5. Montelukast is primarily used for which of the following conditions?
A. Acute asthma attacks
B. Severe anaphylactic reactions
C. Immediate relief of bronchoconstriction
D. Long-term prophylaxis of asthma
Answer: D
Rationale: Montelukast is a leukotriene modifier used for long-term maintenance and
prevention of asthma, not for acute attacks.
, 6. A patient is taking Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for allergic rhinitis. Which
side effect should the nurse emphasize in teaching?
A. Hypertension
B. Drowsiness
C. Insomnia
D. Increased salivation
Answer: B
Rationale: Diphenhydramine is a first-generation antihistamine that crosses the blood-
brain barrier, causing significant sedation/drowsiness.
7. Guaifenesin is prescribed for a patient with a productive cough. The nurse
should instruct the patient to:
A. Take the medication with a full glass of water.
B. Avoid coughing while on this medication.
C. Restrict fluids to thicken mucus.
D. Use a humidifier only if they have a fever.
Answer: A
Rationale: Guaifenesin is an expectorant. Increased fluid intake helps thin secretions,
making them easier to expectorate.
8. A patient has been using Phenylephrine nasal spray for 6 days. The nurse
should monitor for:
A. Systemic hypotension
B. Increased sense of smell
C. Severe bradycardia
D. Rebound nasal congestion
Answer: D
Rationale: Prolonged use (more than 3-5 days) of topical decongestants like
Phenylephrine can cause rebound congestion (rhinitis medicamentosa).
