D441 Pharmacology Week 4 Practice Exam 2026 |WGU
1. Which of the following side effects is most characteristic of ACE inhibitors
such as Lisinopril?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Peripheral edema
C. Tachycardia
D. Dry, persistent cough
Answer: D
Rationale: ACE inhibitors prevent the breakdown of bradykinin, which can lead to a
persistent, non-productive dry cough in some patients.
2. A patient taking Digoxin reports seeing yellow-green halos around lights.
What should the nurse suspect?
A. A normal side effect
B. Acute glaucoma
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Digoxin toxicity
Answer: D
Rationale: Visual disturbances, specifically yellow-green or white halos, are classic signs of
digoxin toxicity.
,3. Which laboratory value is primarily used to monitor the effectiveness of
Warfarin therapy?
A. Platelet count
B. aPTT
C. Serum Potassium
D. PT/INR
Answer: D
Rationale: Prothrombin Time (PT) and International Normalized Ratio (INR) are the
standard labs used to monitor Warfarin. aPTT is used for Heparin.
4. A patient is prescribed sublingual Nitroglycerin for chest pain. How should the
nurse instruct the patient to take it?
A. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water
B. Place the tablet under the tongue and let it dissolve
C. Chew the tablet before swallowing
D. Crush the tablet and mix it with food
Answer: B
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin must be dissolved under the tongue for rapid
absorption into the systemic circulation, bypassing the first-pass metabolism.
5. Which medical condition is a major contraindication for the use of non-
selective Beta-blockers like Propranolol?
A. Hypertension
B. Hyperthyroidism
C. Atrial fibrillation
D. Asthma
Answer: D
Rationale: Non-selective beta-blockers block Beta-2 receptors in the lungs, which can
cause bronchoconstriction, making them dangerous for patients with asthma.
, 6. What is a potentially life-threatening adverse effect of HMG-CoA reductase
inhibitors (Statins)?
A. Rhabdomyolysis
B. Hypotension
C. Bradycardia
D. Hyperglycemia
Answer: A
Rationale: Statins can cause muscle breakdown (myopathy), which can progress to
rhabdomyolysis and subsequent renal failure.
7. Furosemide is categorized as which type of diuretic?
A. Thiazide diuretic
B. Potassium-sparing diuretic
C. Loop diuretic
D. Osmotic diuretic
Answer: C
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that acts on the ascending limb of the loop of
Henle to inhibit sodium and chloride reabsorption.
8. A patient using an Albuterol inhaler for acute shortness of breath should be
monitored for which common side effect?
A. Tachycardia
B. Bradycardia
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Lethargy
Answer: A
Rationale: Albuterol is a sympathomimetic beta-2 agonist. While selective, high doses or
systemic absorption can stimulate beta-1 receptors in the heart, causing tachycardia and
tremors.
1. Which of the following side effects is most characteristic of ACE inhibitors
such as Lisinopril?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Peripheral edema
C. Tachycardia
D. Dry, persistent cough
Answer: D
Rationale: ACE inhibitors prevent the breakdown of bradykinin, which can lead to a
persistent, non-productive dry cough in some patients.
2. A patient taking Digoxin reports seeing yellow-green halos around lights.
What should the nurse suspect?
A. A normal side effect
B. Acute glaucoma
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Digoxin toxicity
Answer: D
Rationale: Visual disturbances, specifically yellow-green or white halos, are classic signs of
digoxin toxicity.
,3. Which laboratory value is primarily used to monitor the effectiveness of
Warfarin therapy?
A. Platelet count
B. aPTT
C. Serum Potassium
D. PT/INR
Answer: D
Rationale: Prothrombin Time (PT) and International Normalized Ratio (INR) are the
standard labs used to monitor Warfarin. aPTT is used for Heparin.
4. A patient is prescribed sublingual Nitroglycerin for chest pain. How should the
nurse instruct the patient to take it?
A. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water
B. Place the tablet under the tongue and let it dissolve
C. Chew the tablet before swallowing
D. Crush the tablet and mix it with food
Answer: B
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin must be dissolved under the tongue for rapid
absorption into the systemic circulation, bypassing the first-pass metabolism.
5. Which medical condition is a major contraindication for the use of non-
selective Beta-blockers like Propranolol?
A. Hypertension
B. Hyperthyroidism
C. Atrial fibrillation
D. Asthma
Answer: D
Rationale: Non-selective beta-blockers block Beta-2 receptors in the lungs, which can
cause bronchoconstriction, making them dangerous for patients with asthma.
, 6. What is a potentially life-threatening adverse effect of HMG-CoA reductase
inhibitors (Statins)?
A. Rhabdomyolysis
B. Hypotension
C. Bradycardia
D. Hyperglycemia
Answer: A
Rationale: Statins can cause muscle breakdown (myopathy), which can progress to
rhabdomyolysis and subsequent renal failure.
7. Furosemide is categorized as which type of diuretic?
A. Thiazide diuretic
B. Potassium-sparing diuretic
C. Loop diuretic
D. Osmotic diuretic
Answer: C
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that acts on the ascending limb of the loop of
Henle to inhibit sodium and chloride reabsorption.
8. A patient using an Albuterol inhaler for acute shortness of breath should be
monitored for which common side effect?
A. Tachycardia
B. Bradycardia
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Lethargy
Answer: A
Rationale: Albuterol is a sympathomimetic beta-2 agonist. While selective, high doses or
systemic absorption can stimulate beta-1 receptors in the heart, causing tachycardia and
tremors.
