WGU D027 PATHOPHARMACOLOGICAL ADVANCED FOUNDATIONS EXAM| [QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS 100% REVISED 2025/2026 UPDATE] A+ GRADED, 100% VERIFIED BY EXPERTS; SUCCESS GUARANTEED!

WGU D027 PATHOPHARMACOLOGICAL ADVANCED FOUNDATIONS EXAM| [QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS 100% REVISED 2025/2026 UPDATE] A+ GRADED, 100% VERIFIED BY EXPERTS; SUCCESS GUARANTEED! What are some physical changes from Alzheimer's dementia? - CORRECT ANSBrain shrinks dramatically; nerve cell death and tissue loss - Cardinal signs: plaques (abnormal clusters of protein fragments) and tangles (twisted strands of another protein) How is Alzheimer's treated? - CORRECT ANSThere is no cure, but there are pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments - Cholinesterase inhibitors - Memantine (namenda) What are cholinesterase inhibitors prescribed for? - CORRECT ANSTo treat symptoms related to memory, thinking, language, judgment, and other processes - Helps delay or slow the worsening of symptoms What does cholinesterase inhibitors do? - CORRECT ANSPrevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger that is important for learning and memory - Supports communication among nerve cells by keeping the acetylcholine high What are some commonly prescribed cholinesterase inhibitors? - CORRECT ANSDonepezil (aricept) - Galantamine (razadyne) - Rivastigmine (exeleon) Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for all stages of Alzheimer's? - CORRECT ANSDonepezil (aricept) Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for mild-to-moderate stages of Alzheimer's? - CORRECT ANSGalantamine (razadyne) - Rivastigmine (exeleon) Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's and Parkinson's? - CORRECT ANSRivastigmine (exeleon) What medication combination is used to treat moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's? - CORRECT ANSMemantine (namenda) and donepezil (aricept) What is memantine (namenda) used for? - CORRECT ANSPrescribed to improve memory, attention, reason, language, and the ability to perform simple tasks - Can be used alone or with other Alzheimer's disease treatments How does memantine (namenda) work? - CORRECT ANSRegulates the activity of glutamate, a chemical involved in information processing, storage, and retrieval - Improves mental functioning and ability to perform daily activities for some people What is the difference in MOA between cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine (namenda)? - ANSWER - Cholinesterase inhibitors prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, whereas memantine (namenda) regulates the activity of glutamate What is ataxia? - CORRECT ANSAlso known as cerebellum attacks - Degenerative disease of the nervous system - Many symptoms mimic those of being drunk (i.e. slurred speech, stumbling, falling, and incoordination) What causes the symptoms of ataxia? - CORRECT ANSThe damage caused to the cerebellum, the part of the brain that is responsible for coordinating movements - Can also be caused by damage to part of the spinal cord and nerves What is the treatment for ataxia? - CORRECT ANSNo treatment - In some cases, treating the underlying causes (i.e. stopping medications that cause ataxia) - In other cases, it is a result from chicken pox or other viral infections (likely to resolve on its own) - Genetic causes/predisposed disposition is usually chronic What causes ataxia in the pediatric population? - CORRECT ANSGenetic predisposition - Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS) - Prader-Willie Syndrome What is Fragile X syndrome (FXS)? - CORRECT ANSA genetic condition inherited from parents which results in various developmental problems - Rare, but may be dangerous or life-threatening - Present at birth and is a lifelong condition - Rarely requires lab testing or imaging - Often linked to autism (1/3 do have autism) - X-linked disorder Since Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is an X-linked disorder, does a specific gender have a greater risk? - CORRECT ANSOften, females are carriers and males are affected - However, both males and females can be carriers, and both can be affected by the condition - Usually milder in females How did Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) get its name? - CORRECT ANSThe gene Fragile X (the FMR1 gene) is on the X syndrome - Mutation of the FMR1 gene What is the difference between Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS) and Fragile X Syndrome (FXS)? - CORRECT ANSBoth caused by mutations on the FMR1 gene, but they are caused by different changes in this gene - FXS is caused by a full mutation - FXTAS is a premutation - FXS is present at birth, but display these features in early life - FXTAS develops in adulthood (usually after age 50) and the symptoms may appear slowly and develop over the years - FXTAS individuals are usually healthy with normal cognitive skills prior to the onset How is Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS) diagnosed? - CORRECT ANSBeing a FMR1 premutation carrier - The appearance of neurological features such as ataxia (balance problems), tremors, and other symptoms - MRI findings (changes in the brain) What is Prader-Willie Syndrome? - CORRECT ANSGenetic disorder that affects many parts of the body and their growth - Causes mental and behavioral problems - Can be dangerous or life threatening if untreated - Combination of contraceptives contraindicated in breast feeding - More common in females - Confirmed from laboratory findings What is the cause of Prader-Willi Syndrome? - CORRECT ANSDepletion of chromosome 15 from father - Missing or non-working genes on chromosome 15 (15q11-q13) - Most cases are not inherited and occur randomly - Depletion of genes (genes from the region are missing) - Uniparental disomy - both chromosomes are inherited from the mother - Imprinting mutation - genes on the paternal chromosome is inactive What does Prader-Willi Syndrome do to the body? - CORRECT ANSCaused the hypothalamus to malfunction (the area of the brain that affects hunger, thirst, sex and growth hormones) - In infancy, an individual does not meet development milestones suck as sitting up and walking - Their eyes lack coordination What is a key feature of Prader-Willi Syndrome? - CORRECT ANSA constant sense of hunger that usually begins around 2 years of age - People with Prader-Willi Syndrome want to eat constantly because they never feel full What are some symptoms in infants with Prader-Willi Syndrome? - CORRECT ANSHypotonia with floppy structure and poor muscle tone - Distinct facial features affecting the shape and size of eyes, lips, forehead, etc. - Poor sucking ability making it difficult to feed - Always lethargic and poor responsiveness - Underdeveloped genitals What is celiac disease? - CORRECT ANSAutoimmune disease - Damages to the small intestinal epithelium when there is ingestion of gluten - Loss of mucosal surface and brush border enzymes leads to severe malabsorption that is more pronounced in the duodenum and jejunum What strong genetic disposition does celiac disease have? - CORRECT ANSHuman leukocyte antigen DQ2 (HLA-DQ2) and HLA-DQ5 What test is recommended for celiac disease? - CORRECT ANSIgA-tTG - Total IgA - Simple, inexpensive, widely available, typically covered by insurance, and is very accurate in untreated celiac disease What are the recommended tests for celiac disease? - CORRECT ANSTotal IgA - IgA-tTg - IgA-EMA - If IgA is deficient, it is recommended that IgG/IgA-DGP also be ordered What are diagnostic methods of celiac disease? - CORRECT ANSSerologic measurements of antiendomysial and antitrandsglutaminase IgA antibodies and HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8 - Duodenal biopsy Why is it important to remain on a normal, gluten-containing diet prior to testing for celiac disease? - CORRECT ANSAlter the results of the test - If the blood tests and symptoms indicate the disease, a physician will likely suggest a biopsy for the lining of the small intestine to confirm the diagnosis Which part of the bowels is more affected by celiac disease? - CORRECT ANSDuodenum and jejunum What are some symptoms of celiac disease? - CORRECT ANSPale, greasy, bulky, and foul smelling diarrhea - Easily bruises and/or bleeds - Abdominal pain - Hypomagnesemia and hypocalcemia (irritability, tremors, convulsions, tetany, bone pain, osteomalacia, and dental abnormalities) What is the treatment for celiac disease? - CORRECT ANSLifelong adherence to a gluten free diet - Steroids and immunosuppressants may be required What are some foods that are contain gluten? - CORRECT ANSWheat - Rye - Barley - Malt What is Crohn's disease? - CORRECT ANSA chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects the lining of the digestive tract - May cause intestinal bleeding, chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramping, fissure, malabsorption, ileus, bowel resection, pancreatitis, mouth ulcers, kidney stones, inflammation of the eyes - A lot of times, they do not absorb iron and some other minerals and vitamins, thus, patients may have issues getting all minerals and vitamins What are tests are used in the diagnosing Crohn's disease? - CORRECT ANSAnti saccharomyces antibody test (ASCA) - CBC (H/H, WBC) - Heme-occult - C-reactive protein (sign of inflammation)