WGU D116 OA Review Study Guide & Exam
WGUPrep
D116
2026_2027.pdf
OA Review Study Guide & Exam
WGUPrep
D116
2026_2027.pdf
OA Review Study Guide & Exam Prep 2026_2027.pdf
WGU D116 OA Review Study Guide
& Exam Prep 2026/2027
Page 1 1 of 198 Page 1 of 198
,WGU D116 OA review.pdf WGU D116 OA review.pdf WGU D116 OA review.pdf
doxazosin
Cardura, Cardura XL
alpha blocker
potent and selective post-junctional alpha-1-adrenergic blocker.
This action blocks alpha 1 receptors in vascular smooth muscle & bladder/prostate.
causes vasodilation of arterioles and veins and relaxation of smooth muscle in the
bladder neck/prostate (to improve urinary flow in BPH) results in a decrease in systemic
blood pressure.
For: HTN, enlarged prostate in BPH by relaxing blood vessels.
-start at 1mg daily for HTN
-for BPH, 1 mg at bedtime and maintenance 4-8mg once daily
BLACK BOX: first-dose phenomenon. significant orthostatic hypotension or syncope - esp
after 1st dose or dose increases.
& risk of intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS) during cataract surgery.
Page 2 2 of 198 Page 2 of 198
,WGU D116 OA review.pdf WGU D116 OA review.pdf WGU D116 OA review.pdf
decreases standing and supine blood pressure so monitor BP & HR.
dont give if pt has allergy to:
quinolones, alfuzosin, prozosin, tamulosin, or terazosin.
dont take if pregnant/breastfeeding, stomach/intestine problems.
dont take with sildenafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil.
dont give to pts with heart failure or elderly. dizziness, lightheadedness/fainting may occur.
dont give with hepatic impairment (extensively metabolized by liver)
drug interactions with other antihypertensives or PDE5 inhibitors (sildenafil) or CYP3A4
inhibitors (ketoconazole, ritonavir) bc it will increase levels of doxazosin.
usual dose is 2mg-16 mg taken once a day or slow release 4-8mg once a day.
clinical pearls: not first line for HTN but can be useful if pt has HTN & BPH.
good option for older men who need help with BP and urinary flow.
pt should be educated to rise slowly from sitting/lying. remind pt about eye surgery risk!
must inform opthalmologist if they've ever taken this med.
avoid alcohol & hot showers. dont stop abruptly. report s/s of low BP, fainting.
DOXAZOSIN: DILATES VESSELS & DECONGESTS THE PROSTATE
Page 3 3 of 198 Page 3 of 198
, WGU D116 OA review.pdf WGU D116 OA review.pdf WGU D116 OA review.pdf
synaptic gap
synaptic cleft:
-presynpatic neuron: sends signal
-postsynaptic neuron: receives the signal
messages are passed along the nervous system.
process:
1) action potential: reaches presynaptic terminal
2) calcium influx: triggers vessicles to release NP into synaptic gap.
3) NT binds to receptors on postsynaptic neuron.
--signal is either excitatory (triggers action potential) or inhibitory (dampens activity).
5) NT are cleared via:
~reuptake: into presynaptic cell
~enzymatic degradation (MAO, COMT)
~diffusion away
Page 4 4 of 198 Page 4 of 198
WGUPrep
D116
2026_2027.pdf
OA Review Study Guide & Exam
WGUPrep
D116
2026_2027.pdf
OA Review Study Guide & Exam Prep 2026_2027.pdf
WGU D116 OA Review Study Guide
& Exam Prep 2026/2027
Page 1 1 of 198 Page 1 of 198
,WGU D116 OA review.pdf WGU D116 OA review.pdf WGU D116 OA review.pdf
doxazosin
Cardura, Cardura XL
alpha blocker
potent and selective post-junctional alpha-1-adrenergic blocker.
This action blocks alpha 1 receptors in vascular smooth muscle & bladder/prostate.
causes vasodilation of arterioles and veins and relaxation of smooth muscle in the
bladder neck/prostate (to improve urinary flow in BPH) results in a decrease in systemic
blood pressure.
For: HTN, enlarged prostate in BPH by relaxing blood vessels.
-start at 1mg daily for HTN
-for BPH, 1 mg at bedtime and maintenance 4-8mg once daily
BLACK BOX: first-dose phenomenon. significant orthostatic hypotension or syncope - esp
after 1st dose or dose increases.
& risk of intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS) during cataract surgery.
Page 2 2 of 198 Page 2 of 198
,WGU D116 OA review.pdf WGU D116 OA review.pdf WGU D116 OA review.pdf
decreases standing and supine blood pressure so monitor BP & HR.
dont give if pt has allergy to:
quinolones, alfuzosin, prozosin, tamulosin, or terazosin.
dont take if pregnant/breastfeeding, stomach/intestine problems.
dont take with sildenafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil.
dont give to pts with heart failure or elderly. dizziness, lightheadedness/fainting may occur.
dont give with hepatic impairment (extensively metabolized by liver)
drug interactions with other antihypertensives or PDE5 inhibitors (sildenafil) or CYP3A4
inhibitors (ketoconazole, ritonavir) bc it will increase levels of doxazosin.
usual dose is 2mg-16 mg taken once a day or slow release 4-8mg once a day.
clinical pearls: not first line for HTN but can be useful if pt has HTN & BPH.
good option for older men who need help with BP and urinary flow.
pt should be educated to rise slowly from sitting/lying. remind pt about eye surgery risk!
must inform opthalmologist if they've ever taken this med.
avoid alcohol & hot showers. dont stop abruptly. report s/s of low BP, fainting.
DOXAZOSIN: DILATES VESSELS & DECONGESTS THE PROSTATE
Page 3 3 of 198 Page 3 of 198
, WGU D116 OA review.pdf WGU D116 OA review.pdf WGU D116 OA review.pdf
synaptic gap
synaptic cleft:
-presynpatic neuron: sends signal
-postsynaptic neuron: receives the signal
messages are passed along the nervous system.
process:
1) action potential: reaches presynaptic terminal
2) calcium influx: triggers vessicles to release NP into synaptic gap.
3) NT binds to receptors on postsynaptic neuron.
--signal is either excitatory (triggers action potential) or inhibitory (dampens activity).
5) NT are cleared via:
~reuptake: into presynaptic cell
~enzymatic degradation (MAO, COMT)
~diffusion away
Page 4 4 of 198 Page 4 of 198
