D441 Pharmacology Final Exam Practice 2026 |WGU
1. Which phase of pharmacokinetics involves the movement of a drug from its
site of administration into the bloodstream?
A. Distribution
B. Absorption
C. Metabolism
D. Excretion
Answer: B
Rationale: Absorption is the process of a drug moving from the administration site to the
blood. Distribution is movement through the body, metabolism is chemical alteration, and
excretion is removal.
2. A patient is prescribed Metformin for type 2 diabetes. What is the most
significant adverse effect the nurse should monitor for?
A. Weight gain
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Lactic acidosis
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: C
Rationale: While rare, lactic acidosis is a life-threatening complication of metformin.
Metformin is less likely to cause hypoglycemia compared to sulfonylureas.
,3. Which assessment finding is most indicative of digoxin toxicity?
A. Tachycardia
B. Hypertension
C. Visual disturbances such as yellow-green halos
D. Increased appetite
Answer: C
Rationale: Common signs of digoxin toxicity include bradycardia, anorexia, nausea, and
visual changes like yellow-green halos or blurred vision.
4. When administering Vancomycin intravenously, the nurse notes the patient’s
face and neck have become bright red. What is the priority action?
A. Slow the infusion rate
B. Apply cold compresses to the area
C. Increase the infusion rate
D. Administer epinephrine immediately
Answer: A
Rationale: Red Man Syndrome is a rate-dependent infusion reaction to Vancomycin.
Slowing the infusion rate usually resolves the flushing and itching.
5. Which medication is classified as a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) used for
acute bronchospasm?
A. Albuterol
B. Salmeterol
C. Tiotropium
D. Fluticasone
Answer: A
Rationale: Albuterol is a SABA used for rescue therapy. Salmeterol is a long-acting beta
agonist (LABA), Tiotropium is an anticholinergic, and Fluticasone is a steroid.
, 6. What is the specific antidote for a patient experiencing a Warfarin overdose
with a high INR?
A. Protamine sulfate
B. Flumazenil
C. Naloxone
D. Vitamin K
Answer: D
Rationale: Vitamin K is the antagonist for Warfarin. Protamine sulfate is for Heparin,
Naloxone for opioids, and Flumazenil for benzodiazepines.
7. A patient who has taken an overdose of oxycodone is unresponsive with a
respiratory rate of 6. Which medication should the nurse prepare?
A. Acetylcysteine
B. Atropine
C. Naloxone
D. Glucagon
Answer: C
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse respiratory depression caused
by opioid overdose.
8. When administering Furosemide, which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor most closely?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum calcium
C. Serum potassium
D. Serum glucose
Answer: C
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant potassium loss, leading to
hypokalemia.
1. Which phase of pharmacokinetics involves the movement of a drug from its
site of administration into the bloodstream?
A. Distribution
B. Absorption
C. Metabolism
D. Excretion
Answer: B
Rationale: Absorption is the process of a drug moving from the administration site to the
blood. Distribution is movement through the body, metabolism is chemical alteration, and
excretion is removal.
2. A patient is prescribed Metformin for type 2 diabetes. What is the most
significant adverse effect the nurse should monitor for?
A. Weight gain
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Lactic acidosis
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: C
Rationale: While rare, lactic acidosis is a life-threatening complication of metformin.
Metformin is less likely to cause hypoglycemia compared to sulfonylureas.
,3. Which assessment finding is most indicative of digoxin toxicity?
A. Tachycardia
B. Hypertension
C. Visual disturbances such as yellow-green halos
D. Increased appetite
Answer: C
Rationale: Common signs of digoxin toxicity include bradycardia, anorexia, nausea, and
visual changes like yellow-green halos or blurred vision.
4. When administering Vancomycin intravenously, the nurse notes the patient’s
face and neck have become bright red. What is the priority action?
A. Slow the infusion rate
B. Apply cold compresses to the area
C. Increase the infusion rate
D. Administer epinephrine immediately
Answer: A
Rationale: Red Man Syndrome is a rate-dependent infusion reaction to Vancomycin.
Slowing the infusion rate usually resolves the flushing and itching.
5. Which medication is classified as a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) used for
acute bronchospasm?
A. Albuterol
B. Salmeterol
C. Tiotropium
D. Fluticasone
Answer: A
Rationale: Albuterol is a SABA used for rescue therapy. Salmeterol is a long-acting beta
agonist (LABA), Tiotropium is an anticholinergic, and Fluticasone is a steroid.
, 6. What is the specific antidote for a patient experiencing a Warfarin overdose
with a high INR?
A. Protamine sulfate
B. Flumazenil
C. Naloxone
D. Vitamin K
Answer: D
Rationale: Vitamin K is the antagonist for Warfarin. Protamine sulfate is for Heparin,
Naloxone for opioids, and Flumazenil for benzodiazepines.
7. A patient who has taken an overdose of oxycodone is unresponsive with a
respiratory rate of 6. Which medication should the nurse prepare?
A. Acetylcysteine
B. Atropine
C. Naloxone
D. Glucagon
Answer: C
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse respiratory depression caused
by opioid overdose.
8. When administering Furosemide, which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor most closely?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum calcium
C. Serum potassium
D. Serum glucose
Answer: C
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant potassium loss, leading to
hypokalemia.
