WGU D116 PHARMACOLOGY 2024
EXAM
ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS IN THIS SECTION
QUESTION 1
A 42-year-old patient suffering from pain due to cancer comes to a clinic and visits
with the advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). The APRN previously had
prescribed morphine to treat the pain. The patient is concerned because her bowel
movements have become irregular and asks the APRN why she is experiencing
constipation.
How should the APRN respond?
The drug depresses peristalsis, prolonging drug transit time.
The drug causes an increase in the absorption of the nutrients.
The drug is minimally absorbed if taken orally.
The drug reduces regional blood flow, reducing the absorption of other drugs. -
ANSWERS-The drug depresses peristalsis, prolonging drug transit time.
QUESTION 2
An advanced practice registered nurse is prescribing dobutamine for a patient in
cardiogenic shock.
Which outcome is expected when this drug is used?
END OF
PAGE 1
, WGU D116 PHARMACOLOGY 2024
EXAM
Reduces blood clots from forming
Increases heart rate
Dissolves blood clots that are present
Decreases heart rate - ANSWERS-Increases heart rate
QUESTION 3
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) volunteers one day per month at a
local free clinic in the community and is seeing a 43-year-old Caucasian patient
with hypertension. The patient's blood pressure is 196/100, and the patient states
being prescribed three blood pressure medications: metoprolol 100 mg bid,
losartan 50 mg daily, and clonidine 0.1 mg tid.
The patient states that there is no way to check blood pressure, and upon reviewing
all the patient's medications, the APRN notes that the losartan has not been filled
for three months and only 10 pills remain. The patient admits taking half the
prescribed dose so the pills last longer.
Which action should be taken by the APRN?
Run liver and thyroid function tests due to skipping doses of the losartan
Educate the patient on the need to take the medication as prescribed
Measure creatine kinase level to determine renal function related to the losartan
Enroll th - ANSWERS-Enroll the patient in the local Mission prescription
assistance program
END OF
PAGE 2
, WGU D116 PHARMACOLOGY 2024
EXAM
QUESTION 4
A 78-year-old woman is diagnosed with chronic open-angle glaucoma. She has a
past history of first-degree atrioventricular block and bradycardia.
Which medication should be avoided by this patient?
Timolol
Pilocarpine
Dorzolamide
Acetazolamide - ANSWERS-Timolol
QUESTION 5
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is evaluating a patient at a six-
month follow-up appointment. The patient is taking cimetidine 1 g at bedtime,
metoprolol 100 mg daily, aspirin 81 mg daily, and metformin 1 g daily. The
patient's vitals are BP 160/90, pulse 110, respirations 12, and temperature 97.8°F.
The patient is concerned that her blood pressure and pulse are still elevated. The
patient tells the APRN she does not want to take another pill because she feels she
is taking too many.
Which action should the APRN take next?
END OF
PAGE 3
, WGU D116 PHARMACOLOGY 2024
EXAM
Use propranolol instead of metoprolol because the original drug may decrease the
effectiveness of the cimetidine
Change the cimetidine to ranitidine because the original drug may decrease the
effectiveness of the metoprolol
Increase the metoprolol to 150 mg daily because the current dose does not appear
to be working
Make sure the patient is taking the medications at the same time ever -
ANSWERS-Change the cimetidine to ranitidine because the original drug may
decrease the effectiveness of the metoprolol
QUESTION 6
A 47-year-old male is brought to an emergency department with lacerations to the
forearm. After applying lidocaine as local anesthetic, the patient states he feels like
he may pass out and is sweating profusely.
Which action by the patient's advanced practice registered nurse should be taken
first?
Reassure the patient the symptoms are anxiety related
Assess for acute lidocaine toxicity
Identify this as a normal vasovagal response
Recognize this as an allergic reaction - ANSWERS-Assess for acute lidocaine
toxicity
END OF
PAGE 4
EXAM
ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS IN THIS SECTION
QUESTION 1
A 42-year-old patient suffering from pain due to cancer comes to a clinic and visits
with the advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). The APRN previously had
prescribed morphine to treat the pain. The patient is concerned because her bowel
movements have become irregular and asks the APRN why she is experiencing
constipation.
How should the APRN respond?
The drug depresses peristalsis, prolonging drug transit time.
The drug causes an increase in the absorption of the nutrients.
The drug is minimally absorbed if taken orally.
The drug reduces regional blood flow, reducing the absorption of other drugs. -
ANSWERS-The drug depresses peristalsis, prolonging drug transit time.
QUESTION 2
An advanced practice registered nurse is prescribing dobutamine for a patient in
cardiogenic shock.
Which outcome is expected when this drug is used?
END OF
PAGE 1
, WGU D116 PHARMACOLOGY 2024
EXAM
Reduces blood clots from forming
Increases heart rate
Dissolves blood clots that are present
Decreases heart rate - ANSWERS-Increases heart rate
QUESTION 3
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) volunteers one day per month at a
local free clinic in the community and is seeing a 43-year-old Caucasian patient
with hypertension. The patient's blood pressure is 196/100, and the patient states
being prescribed three blood pressure medications: metoprolol 100 mg bid,
losartan 50 mg daily, and clonidine 0.1 mg tid.
The patient states that there is no way to check blood pressure, and upon reviewing
all the patient's medications, the APRN notes that the losartan has not been filled
for three months and only 10 pills remain. The patient admits taking half the
prescribed dose so the pills last longer.
Which action should be taken by the APRN?
Run liver and thyroid function tests due to skipping doses of the losartan
Educate the patient on the need to take the medication as prescribed
Measure creatine kinase level to determine renal function related to the losartan
Enroll th - ANSWERS-Enroll the patient in the local Mission prescription
assistance program
END OF
PAGE 2
, WGU D116 PHARMACOLOGY 2024
EXAM
QUESTION 4
A 78-year-old woman is diagnosed with chronic open-angle glaucoma. She has a
past history of first-degree atrioventricular block and bradycardia.
Which medication should be avoided by this patient?
Timolol
Pilocarpine
Dorzolamide
Acetazolamide - ANSWERS-Timolol
QUESTION 5
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is evaluating a patient at a six-
month follow-up appointment. The patient is taking cimetidine 1 g at bedtime,
metoprolol 100 mg daily, aspirin 81 mg daily, and metformin 1 g daily. The
patient's vitals are BP 160/90, pulse 110, respirations 12, and temperature 97.8°F.
The patient is concerned that her blood pressure and pulse are still elevated. The
patient tells the APRN she does not want to take another pill because she feels she
is taking too many.
Which action should the APRN take next?
END OF
PAGE 3
, WGU D116 PHARMACOLOGY 2024
EXAM
Use propranolol instead of metoprolol because the original drug may decrease the
effectiveness of the cimetidine
Change the cimetidine to ranitidine because the original drug may decrease the
effectiveness of the metoprolol
Increase the metoprolol to 150 mg daily because the current dose does not appear
to be working
Make sure the patient is taking the medications at the same time ever -
ANSWERS-Change the cimetidine to ranitidine because the original drug may
decrease the effectiveness of the metoprolol
QUESTION 6
A 47-year-old male is brought to an emergency department with lacerations to the
forearm. After applying lidocaine as local anesthetic, the patient states he feels like
he may pass out and is sweating profusely.
Which action by the patient's advanced practice registered nurse should be taken
first?
Reassure the patient the symptoms are anxiety related
Assess for acute lidocaine toxicity
Identify this as a normal vasovagal response
Recognize this as an allergic reaction - ANSWERS-Assess for acute lidocaine
toxicity
END OF
PAGE 4
