• ADVANCED
PHARMACOLOGY 09/18/2026
EXAM
WGU D116 ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY FINAL
EXAM OBJECTIVE ASSEMENT & PRE-ASSESMENT
700 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE
THIS YEAR - JUST RELEASED
1.) A client admitted to the hospital gives the nurse a bottle of clomipramine (Anafranil). The nurse notes that
the medication has not been taken by the client in 2 months. What behaviors observed in the client would
validate noncompliance with this medication?
1. Complaints of hunger
2. Complaints of insomnia
3. A pulse rate less than 60 beats per minute
4. Frequent handwashing with hot, soapy water –
P 1
, • ADVANCED
PHARMACOLOGY 09/18/2026
EXAM
Correct Answer :4. Frequent handwashing with hot, soapy water
Rationale:
Clomipramine is commonly used in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Handwashing is a common
obsessive-compulsive behavior. Weight gain is a common side effect of this medication. Tachycardia and
sedation are side effects. Insomnia may occur but is seldom a side effect.
232.) A client in the mental health unit is administered haloperidol (Haldol). The nurse would check which of the
following to determine medication effectiveness?
1. The client's vital signs
2. The client's nutritional intake
3. The physical safety of other unit clients
4. The client's orientation and delusional status –
Correct Answer :4. The client's orientation and delusional status
Rationale:
Haloperidol is used to treat clients exhibiting psychotic features. Therefore, to determine medication
effectiveness, the nurse would check the client's orientation and delusional status. Vital signs are routine and not
specific to this situation. The physical safety of other clients is not a direct assessment of this client. Monitoring
nutritional intake is not related to this situation.
3.) Diphenhydramine hydrochloride (Benadryl) is used in the treatment of allergic rhinitis for a hospitalized client
with a chronic psychotic disorder. The client asks the nurse why the medication is being discontinued before
hospital discharge. The nurse responds, knowing that:
1. Allergic symptoms are short in duration.
2. This medication promotes long-term extrapyramidal symptoms.
3. Addictive properties are enhanced in the presence of psychotropic medications.
4. Poor compliance causes this medication to fail to reach its therapeutic blood level. –
P 2
, • ADVANCED
PHARMACOLOGY 09/18/2026
EXAM
Correct Answer :3. Addictive properties are enhanced in the presence of psychotropic medications.
Rationale:
The addictive properties of diphenhydramine hydrochloride are enhanced when used with psychotropic
medications. Allergic symptoms may not be short term and will occur if allergens are present in the environment.
Poor compliance may be a problem with psychotic clients but is not the subject of the question.
Diphenhydramine hydrochloride may be used for extrapyramidal symptoms and mild medication-induced
movement disorders.
4.) A hospitalized client is started on phenelzine sulfate (Nardil) for the treatment of depression. At lunchtime, a
tray is delivered to the client. Which food item on the tray will the nurse remove?
1. Yogurt
2. Crackers
3. Tossed salad
4. Oatmeal cookies
- Correct Answer :1. Yogurt
Rationale:
Phenelzine sulfate is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). The client should avoid taking in foods that are high
in tyramine. These foods could trigger a potentially fatal hypertensive crisis. Foods to avoid include yogurt, aged
cheeses, smoked or processed meats, red wines, and fruits such as avocados, raisins, or figs.
5.) A tricyclic antidepressant is administered to a client daily. The nurse plans to monitor for the common side
effects of the medication and includes which of the following in the plan of care?
1. Offer hard candy or gum periodically.
2. Offer a nutritious snack between meals.
3. Monitor the blood pressure every 2 hours.
4. Review the white blood cell (WBC) count results daily. –
Correct Answer :1. Offer hard candy or gum periodically.
P 3
, • ADVANCED
PHARMACOLOGY 09/18/2026
EXAM
Rationale:
Dry mouth is a common side effect of tricyclic antidepressants. Frequent mouth rinsing with water, sucking on
hard candy, and chewing gum will alleviate this common side effect. It is not necessary to monitor the blood
pressure every 2 hours. In addition, it is not necessary to check the WBC daily. Weight gain is a common side
effect and frequent snacks will aggravate this problem.
236.) A client is being treated for depression with amitriptyline hydrochloride. During the initial phases of
treatment, the most important nursing intervention is:
1. Prescribing the client a tyramine-free diet
2. Checking the client for anticholinergic effects
3. Monitoring blood levels frequently because there is a narrow range between therapeutic and toxic blood
levels of this medication
4. Getting baseline postural blood pressures before administering the medication and each time the medication
is administered
- Correct Answer :4. Getting baseline postural blood pressures before administering the medication and each
time the medication is administered
Rationale:
Amitriptyline hydrochloride is a tricyclic antidepressant often used to treat depression. It causes orthostatic
changes and can produce hypotension and tachycardia. This can be frightening to the client and dangerous
because it can result in dizziness and client falls. The client must be instructed to move slowly from a lying to a
sitting to a standing position to avoid injury if these effects are experienced. The client may also experience
sedation, dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, and other anticholinergic effects, but these are transient and
will diminish with time.
7.) A client who is on lithium carbonate (Lithobid) will be discharged at the end of the week. In formulating a
discharge teaching plan, the nurse will instruct the client that it is most important to:
1. Avoid soy sauce, wine, and aged cheese.
2. Have the lithium level checked every week.
3. Take medication only as prescribed because it can become addicting.
4. Check with the psychiatrist before using any over-the-counter (OTC) medications or prescription medications.
P 4
PHARMACOLOGY 09/18/2026
EXAM
WGU D116 ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY FINAL
EXAM OBJECTIVE ASSEMENT & PRE-ASSESMENT
700 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE
THIS YEAR - JUST RELEASED
1.) A client admitted to the hospital gives the nurse a bottle of clomipramine (Anafranil). The nurse notes that
the medication has not been taken by the client in 2 months. What behaviors observed in the client would
validate noncompliance with this medication?
1. Complaints of hunger
2. Complaints of insomnia
3. A pulse rate less than 60 beats per minute
4. Frequent handwashing with hot, soapy water –
P 1
, • ADVANCED
PHARMACOLOGY 09/18/2026
EXAM
Correct Answer :4. Frequent handwashing with hot, soapy water
Rationale:
Clomipramine is commonly used in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Handwashing is a common
obsessive-compulsive behavior. Weight gain is a common side effect of this medication. Tachycardia and
sedation are side effects. Insomnia may occur but is seldom a side effect.
232.) A client in the mental health unit is administered haloperidol (Haldol). The nurse would check which of the
following to determine medication effectiveness?
1. The client's vital signs
2. The client's nutritional intake
3. The physical safety of other unit clients
4. The client's orientation and delusional status –
Correct Answer :4. The client's orientation and delusional status
Rationale:
Haloperidol is used to treat clients exhibiting psychotic features. Therefore, to determine medication
effectiveness, the nurse would check the client's orientation and delusional status. Vital signs are routine and not
specific to this situation. The physical safety of other clients is not a direct assessment of this client. Monitoring
nutritional intake is not related to this situation.
3.) Diphenhydramine hydrochloride (Benadryl) is used in the treatment of allergic rhinitis for a hospitalized client
with a chronic psychotic disorder. The client asks the nurse why the medication is being discontinued before
hospital discharge. The nurse responds, knowing that:
1. Allergic symptoms are short in duration.
2. This medication promotes long-term extrapyramidal symptoms.
3. Addictive properties are enhanced in the presence of psychotropic medications.
4. Poor compliance causes this medication to fail to reach its therapeutic blood level. –
P 2
, • ADVANCED
PHARMACOLOGY 09/18/2026
EXAM
Correct Answer :3. Addictive properties are enhanced in the presence of psychotropic medications.
Rationale:
The addictive properties of diphenhydramine hydrochloride are enhanced when used with psychotropic
medications. Allergic symptoms may not be short term and will occur if allergens are present in the environment.
Poor compliance may be a problem with psychotic clients but is not the subject of the question.
Diphenhydramine hydrochloride may be used for extrapyramidal symptoms and mild medication-induced
movement disorders.
4.) A hospitalized client is started on phenelzine sulfate (Nardil) for the treatment of depression. At lunchtime, a
tray is delivered to the client. Which food item on the tray will the nurse remove?
1. Yogurt
2. Crackers
3. Tossed salad
4. Oatmeal cookies
- Correct Answer :1. Yogurt
Rationale:
Phenelzine sulfate is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). The client should avoid taking in foods that are high
in tyramine. These foods could trigger a potentially fatal hypertensive crisis. Foods to avoid include yogurt, aged
cheeses, smoked or processed meats, red wines, and fruits such as avocados, raisins, or figs.
5.) A tricyclic antidepressant is administered to a client daily. The nurse plans to monitor for the common side
effects of the medication and includes which of the following in the plan of care?
1. Offer hard candy or gum periodically.
2. Offer a nutritious snack between meals.
3. Monitor the blood pressure every 2 hours.
4. Review the white blood cell (WBC) count results daily. –
Correct Answer :1. Offer hard candy or gum periodically.
P 3
, • ADVANCED
PHARMACOLOGY 09/18/2026
EXAM
Rationale:
Dry mouth is a common side effect of tricyclic antidepressants. Frequent mouth rinsing with water, sucking on
hard candy, and chewing gum will alleviate this common side effect. It is not necessary to monitor the blood
pressure every 2 hours. In addition, it is not necessary to check the WBC daily. Weight gain is a common side
effect and frequent snacks will aggravate this problem.
236.) A client is being treated for depression with amitriptyline hydrochloride. During the initial phases of
treatment, the most important nursing intervention is:
1. Prescribing the client a tyramine-free diet
2. Checking the client for anticholinergic effects
3. Monitoring blood levels frequently because there is a narrow range between therapeutic and toxic blood
levels of this medication
4. Getting baseline postural blood pressures before administering the medication and each time the medication
is administered
- Correct Answer :4. Getting baseline postural blood pressures before administering the medication and each
time the medication is administered
Rationale:
Amitriptyline hydrochloride is a tricyclic antidepressant often used to treat depression. It causes orthostatic
changes and can produce hypotension and tachycardia. This can be frightening to the client and dangerous
because it can result in dizziness and client falls. The client must be instructed to move slowly from a lying to a
sitting to a standing position to avoid injury if these effects are experienced. The client may also experience
sedation, dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, and other anticholinergic effects, but these are transient and
will diminish with time.
7.) A client who is on lithium carbonate (Lithobid) will be discharged at the end of the week. In formulating a
discharge teaching plan, the nurse will instruct the client that it is most important to:
1. Avoid soy sauce, wine, and aged cheese.
2. Have the lithium level checked every week.
3. Take medication only as prescribed because it can become addicting.
4. Check with the psychiatrist before using any over-the-counter (OTC) medications or prescription medications.
P 4
