1
WGU
WGU D116 PHARMACOLOGY REVIEW EXAM QUESTIO J J J J J
NS AND ANSWERS UPDATED (2024/2025) (VERIFIE
J J J J J
D ANSWERS) J
An advanced practice registered nurse has diagnosed a 44-year-
j j j j j j j j
old male with depression. A plan is developed to start treatment with medicati
j j j j j j j j j j j j
on. The patient has a history of sexual dysfunction and is concerned about taki
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
ng medication that may worsen this condition.
j j j j j j
Which antidepressant has the benefit of enhancing libido? -
j j j j j j j j
ANS ✓YES Bupropion
j j j
Correct! Bupropion does not cause sexual dysfunction. This will help the patie
j j j j j j j j j j j
nt with a history of sexual dysfunction. This will enhance the patient's libido,
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
which will help with both depression and sexual dysfunction.
j j j j j j j j
A patient is wheezing and short of breath. The nurse assesses a heart rate of 88
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
beats per minute, a respiratory rate of 24 breaths per minute, and a blood pres
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
sure of 124/78 mm Hg. The prescriber orders a nonspecific beta-
j j j j j j j j j j
agonist medication. j
Besides evaluating the patient for a reduction in respiratory distress, the nurs
j j j j j j j j j j j
e should monitor for which side effect? - ANS ✓YES Tachycardia
j j j j j j j j j j
Correct! Beta- j
agonists are used for asthma because of their beta2 effects on bronchial smoot
j j j j j j j j j j j j
h muscle, causing dilation. Beta1 effects cause tachycardia and hypertension.
j j j j j j j j j j
Beta receptors do not exert effects on the bladder.
j j j j j j j j
A patient is experiencing toxic side effects from atropine, including delirium a
j j j j j j j j j j j
nd hallucinations. Which medication should the provider administer? -
j j j j j j j j
ANS ✓YES Physostigmine
j j j
WGU D116 j
, 2
WGU
Correct! Physostigmine is the drug of choice for treating poisoning from atrop
j j j j j j j j j j j
ine and other drugs that cause muscarinic blockade. Donepezil is used to treat
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
Alzheimer disease. Edrophonium is used to distinguish between a myasthenic j j j j j j j j j
crisis and a cholinesterase inhibitor overdose. Neostigmine does not cross th
j j j j j j j j j j j
e blood-j
brain barrier and would not effectively treat this patient's central nervous sys
j j j j j j j j j j j
tem (CNS) symptoms. j j
A patient brought to the emergency department requires sutures. The prescri
j j j j j j j j j j
ber orders a local anesthetic with epinephrine.
j j j j j j
The epinephrine is ordered to ___________. -
j j j j j j
ANS ✓allow a reduced dose of the anesthetic
j j j j j j j j
Correct! Epinephrine prolongs absorption of the anesthetic because it is an al
j j j j j j j j j j j
pha1 agonist. It is frequently combined with a local anesthetic for this purpose
j j j j j j j j j j j j
so the amount of anesthetic required may be reduced. Local anesthetics do no
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
t induce hypertension; therefore, epinephrine would not be needed to preven
j j j j j j j j j j
t it. Epinephrine does not act as an antiemetic and would not reduce anestheti
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
c-induced nausea. Epinephrine is not used to reduce the pain of an injection. j j j j j j j j j j j j
A patient has been diagnosed with Parkinson disease (PD) and begins treatme
j j j j j j j j j j j
nt with carbidopa. After several months of therapy, the patient reports no cha
j j j j j j j j j j j j
nge in symptoms. j j
As the provider, you should do which of the following? -
j j j j j j j j j j
ANS ✓Increase the dose of carbidopa
j j j j j j
Discuss the "on-off" phenomenon j j j
Reevaluate the diagnosis j j
NO Add a dopamine agonist
j j j j
Incorrect. Adding a dopamine agonist is not indicated. j j j j j j j
A patient who is taking oral contraceptives begins taking valproic acid for seiz
j j j j j j j j j j j j
ures. After a week of therapy with valproic acid, the patient tells the nurse that
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
she is experiencing nausea. j j j
WGU D116 j
, 3
WGU
What should the nurse do? - j j j j j
ANS ✓YES Ask the patient if she is taking the valproic acid with food because taking t
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
he drug on an empty stomach can cause gastrointestinal side effects
j j j j j j j j j j
Correct! Gastrointestinal effects, including nausea, vomiting, and indigestion,
j j j j j j j j
are common with valproic acid and can be minimized by taking the drug with f
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
ood or using an enteric- j j j j
coated product. Hyperammonemia can occur when valproic acid is combined
j j j j j j j j j j
with topiramate. Signs of pregnancy usually do not occur within a week, so thi
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
s is less likely. Hepatotoxicity is a rare adverse effect.
j j j j j j j j j
A patient with cerebral palsy who has been receiving baclofen via gastrostom
j j j j j j j j j j j
y tube for three months is admitted to the hospital for evaluation of new-
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
onset seizures. j
What might you suspect to be the cause of these seizures? -
j j j j j j j j j j j
ANS ✓YES Missed doses of baclofen
j j j j j j
Correct! Baclofen does not appear to cause physical dependence, but abrupt d
j j j j j j j j j j j
iscontinuation has been associated with adverse reactions. Abrupt withdraw j j j j j j j j
al of oral baclofen can cause visual hallucinations, paranoid ideation, and seiz
j j j j j j j j j j j
ures and should be considered when a patient develops these symptoms. Seiz
j j j j j j j j j j j
ures are not a symptom of baclofen toxicity.
j j j j j j j
A nurse is preparing a patient to go home from the emergency department afte
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
r receiving sutures for a laceration on one hand. The provider used lidocaine
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
with epinephrine as a local anesthetic.
j j j j j
Which symptom in this patient causes the most concern? -
j j j j j j j j j
ANS ✓YES Nervousness and tachycardia
j j j j j
Correct! Absorption of the vasoconstrictor can cause systemic effects, includi
j j j j j j j j j
ng nervousness and tachycardia. If severe, alpha- and beta-
j j j j j j j j
adrenergic antagonists can be given. Local anesthetics are nonselective modif j j j j j j j j j
iers of neuronal function and can block motor neurons, so it is expected that p
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
atients may have difficulty with movement. The sensation of pressure also is a
j j j j j j j j j j j j
ffected and is an expected effect. As the local anesthetic wears off, the sensatio
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
n of pain will return.
j j j j
WGU D116 j
, 4
WGU
A patient who has recurrent migraine headaches is prescribed sumatriptan.
j j j j j j j j j j
Which aspect of this patient's history is of concern when taking this drug? -
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
ANS ✓Coronary artery disease
j j j j
Adverse events include coronary vasospasm. j j j j
Incorrect. There is no contraindication for asthma, diabetes, or renal disease.
j j j j j j j j j j
A patient who has been taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) for depr
j j j j j j j j j j j j
ession for several months tells the provider that the medication has not helpe
j j j j j j j j j j j j
d with symptoms. You plan to switch the patient to an SSRI.
j j j j j j j j j j j
What should you instruct the nurse to teach this patient? -
j j j j j j j j j j
ANS ✓YES "Stop taking the MAOI two weeks before starting the SSRI."
j j j j j j j j j j j j
Correct! MAOIs increase serotonin receptor (5- j j j j j
HT) availability, thus greatly increasing the risk of serotonin syndrome. MAOI
j j j j j j j j j j
s should be withdrawn at least 14 days before an SSRI is started. An SSRI shoul
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
d never be given at the same time as an MAOI. It is not necessary to wait five we
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
eks before starting an SSRI.
j j j j
A patient is admitted to a hospital for treatment for first-
j j j j j j j j j j
time symptoms of mania and is exhibiting euphoric mania.
j j j j j j j j
Which medication should you order? - ANS ✓YES Lithium
j j j j j j j j
Correct! In almost all cases of mania, divalproex sodium is the drug of choice, e
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
xcept for euphoric mania symptoms. Lithium is used to treat euphoric mania.
j j j j j j j j j j j j
Olanzapine and risperidone are used to treat other symptoms that are associaj j j j j j j j j j j
ted with borderline personality disorder (BPD).
j j j j j
A patient is brought to the emergency department with shortness of breath, a r
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
espiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute, intercostal retractions, and frothy, p
j j j j j j j j j j j
ink sputum. j
Which drug should the provider administer for this patient? -
j j j j j j j j j
ANS ✓YES Furosemide
j j j
Correct! Furosemide, a potent diuretic, is used when rapid or massive mobiliz
j j j j j j j j j j j
ation of fluids is needed. This patient shows severe signs of congestive heart fa
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
ilure with respiratory distress and pulmonary edema and needs immediate m
j j j j j j j j j j
WGU D116 j
WGU
WGU D116 PHARMACOLOGY REVIEW EXAM QUESTIO J J J J J
NS AND ANSWERS UPDATED (2024/2025) (VERIFIE
J J J J J
D ANSWERS) J
An advanced practice registered nurse has diagnosed a 44-year-
j j j j j j j j
old male with depression. A plan is developed to start treatment with medicati
j j j j j j j j j j j j
on. The patient has a history of sexual dysfunction and is concerned about taki
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
ng medication that may worsen this condition.
j j j j j j
Which antidepressant has the benefit of enhancing libido? -
j j j j j j j j
ANS ✓YES Bupropion
j j j
Correct! Bupropion does not cause sexual dysfunction. This will help the patie
j j j j j j j j j j j
nt with a history of sexual dysfunction. This will enhance the patient's libido,
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
which will help with both depression and sexual dysfunction.
j j j j j j j j
A patient is wheezing and short of breath. The nurse assesses a heart rate of 88
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
beats per minute, a respiratory rate of 24 breaths per minute, and a blood pres
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
sure of 124/78 mm Hg. The prescriber orders a nonspecific beta-
j j j j j j j j j j
agonist medication. j
Besides evaluating the patient for a reduction in respiratory distress, the nurs
j j j j j j j j j j j
e should monitor for which side effect? - ANS ✓YES Tachycardia
j j j j j j j j j j
Correct! Beta- j
agonists are used for asthma because of their beta2 effects on bronchial smoot
j j j j j j j j j j j j
h muscle, causing dilation. Beta1 effects cause tachycardia and hypertension.
j j j j j j j j j j
Beta receptors do not exert effects on the bladder.
j j j j j j j j
A patient is experiencing toxic side effects from atropine, including delirium a
j j j j j j j j j j j
nd hallucinations. Which medication should the provider administer? -
j j j j j j j j
ANS ✓YES Physostigmine
j j j
WGU D116 j
, 2
WGU
Correct! Physostigmine is the drug of choice for treating poisoning from atrop
j j j j j j j j j j j
ine and other drugs that cause muscarinic blockade. Donepezil is used to treat
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
Alzheimer disease. Edrophonium is used to distinguish between a myasthenic j j j j j j j j j
crisis and a cholinesterase inhibitor overdose. Neostigmine does not cross th
j j j j j j j j j j j
e blood-j
brain barrier and would not effectively treat this patient's central nervous sys
j j j j j j j j j j j
tem (CNS) symptoms. j j
A patient brought to the emergency department requires sutures. The prescri
j j j j j j j j j j
ber orders a local anesthetic with epinephrine.
j j j j j j
The epinephrine is ordered to ___________. -
j j j j j j
ANS ✓allow a reduced dose of the anesthetic
j j j j j j j j
Correct! Epinephrine prolongs absorption of the anesthetic because it is an al
j j j j j j j j j j j
pha1 agonist. It is frequently combined with a local anesthetic for this purpose
j j j j j j j j j j j j
so the amount of anesthetic required may be reduced. Local anesthetics do no
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
t induce hypertension; therefore, epinephrine would not be needed to preven
j j j j j j j j j j
t it. Epinephrine does not act as an antiemetic and would not reduce anestheti
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
c-induced nausea. Epinephrine is not used to reduce the pain of an injection. j j j j j j j j j j j j
A patient has been diagnosed with Parkinson disease (PD) and begins treatme
j j j j j j j j j j j
nt with carbidopa. After several months of therapy, the patient reports no cha
j j j j j j j j j j j j
nge in symptoms. j j
As the provider, you should do which of the following? -
j j j j j j j j j j
ANS ✓Increase the dose of carbidopa
j j j j j j
Discuss the "on-off" phenomenon j j j
Reevaluate the diagnosis j j
NO Add a dopamine agonist
j j j j
Incorrect. Adding a dopamine agonist is not indicated. j j j j j j j
A patient who is taking oral contraceptives begins taking valproic acid for seiz
j j j j j j j j j j j j
ures. After a week of therapy with valproic acid, the patient tells the nurse that
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
she is experiencing nausea. j j j
WGU D116 j
, 3
WGU
What should the nurse do? - j j j j j
ANS ✓YES Ask the patient if she is taking the valproic acid with food because taking t
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
he drug on an empty stomach can cause gastrointestinal side effects
j j j j j j j j j j
Correct! Gastrointestinal effects, including nausea, vomiting, and indigestion,
j j j j j j j j
are common with valproic acid and can be minimized by taking the drug with f
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
ood or using an enteric- j j j j
coated product. Hyperammonemia can occur when valproic acid is combined
j j j j j j j j j j
with topiramate. Signs of pregnancy usually do not occur within a week, so thi
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
s is less likely. Hepatotoxicity is a rare adverse effect.
j j j j j j j j j
A patient with cerebral palsy who has been receiving baclofen via gastrostom
j j j j j j j j j j j
y tube for three months is admitted to the hospital for evaluation of new-
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
onset seizures. j
What might you suspect to be the cause of these seizures? -
j j j j j j j j j j j
ANS ✓YES Missed doses of baclofen
j j j j j j
Correct! Baclofen does not appear to cause physical dependence, but abrupt d
j j j j j j j j j j j
iscontinuation has been associated with adverse reactions. Abrupt withdraw j j j j j j j j
al of oral baclofen can cause visual hallucinations, paranoid ideation, and seiz
j j j j j j j j j j j
ures and should be considered when a patient develops these symptoms. Seiz
j j j j j j j j j j j
ures are not a symptom of baclofen toxicity.
j j j j j j j
A nurse is preparing a patient to go home from the emergency department afte
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
r receiving sutures for a laceration on one hand. The provider used lidocaine
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
with epinephrine as a local anesthetic.
j j j j j
Which symptom in this patient causes the most concern? -
j j j j j j j j j
ANS ✓YES Nervousness and tachycardia
j j j j j
Correct! Absorption of the vasoconstrictor can cause systemic effects, includi
j j j j j j j j j
ng nervousness and tachycardia. If severe, alpha- and beta-
j j j j j j j j
adrenergic antagonists can be given. Local anesthetics are nonselective modif j j j j j j j j j
iers of neuronal function and can block motor neurons, so it is expected that p
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
atients may have difficulty with movement. The sensation of pressure also is a
j j j j j j j j j j j j
ffected and is an expected effect. As the local anesthetic wears off, the sensatio
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
n of pain will return.
j j j j
WGU D116 j
, 4
WGU
A patient who has recurrent migraine headaches is prescribed sumatriptan.
j j j j j j j j j j
Which aspect of this patient's history is of concern when taking this drug? -
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
ANS ✓Coronary artery disease
j j j j
Adverse events include coronary vasospasm. j j j j
Incorrect. There is no contraindication for asthma, diabetes, or renal disease.
j j j j j j j j j j
A patient who has been taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) for depr
j j j j j j j j j j j j
ession for several months tells the provider that the medication has not helpe
j j j j j j j j j j j j
d with symptoms. You plan to switch the patient to an SSRI.
j j j j j j j j j j j
What should you instruct the nurse to teach this patient? -
j j j j j j j j j j
ANS ✓YES "Stop taking the MAOI two weeks before starting the SSRI."
j j j j j j j j j j j j
Correct! MAOIs increase serotonin receptor (5- j j j j j
HT) availability, thus greatly increasing the risk of serotonin syndrome. MAOI
j j j j j j j j j j
s should be withdrawn at least 14 days before an SSRI is started. An SSRI shoul
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
d never be given at the same time as an MAOI. It is not necessary to wait five we
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
eks before starting an SSRI.
j j j j
A patient is admitted to a hospital for treatment for first-
j j j j j j j j j j
time symptoms of mania and is exhibiting euphoric mania.
j j j j j j j j
Which medication should you order? - ANS ✓YES Lithium
j j j j j j j j
Correct! In almost all cases of mania, divalproex sodium is the drug of choice, e
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
xcept for euphoric mania symptoms. Lithium is used to treat euphoric mania.
j j j j j j j j j j j j
Olanzapine and risperidone are used to treat other symptoms that are associaj j j j j j j j j j j
ted with borderline personality disorder (BPD).
j j j j j
A patient is brought to the emergency department with shortness of breath, a r
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
espiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute, intercostal retractions, and frothy, p
j j j j j j j j j j j
ink sputum. j
Which drug should the provider administer for this patient? -
j j j j j j j j j
ANS ✓YES Furosemide
j j j
Correct! Furosemide, a potent diuretic, is used when rapid or massive mobiliz
j j j j j j j j j j j
ation of fluids is needed. This patient shows severe signs of congestive heart fa
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
ilure with respiratory distress and pulmonary edema and needs immediate m
j j j j j j j j j j
WGU D116 j
