D441 Pharmacology Exam 2 Study Guide 2026 |WGU
1. A patient is prescribed Lisinopril for hypertension. Which side effect should
the nurse instruct the patient to report immediately?
A. Increased appetite
B. Persistent dry cough
C. Yellowing of the skin
D. Excessive sweating
Answer: B
Rationale: ACE inhibitors like Lisinopril are known to cause a persistent dry cough due to
the accumulation of bradykinin.
2. Which lab value is most important to monitor in a patient taking Furosemide
(Lasix)?
A. Serum Sodium
B. Serum Calcium
C. Serum Potassium
D. White Blood Cell count
Answer: C
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant loss of potassium, leading
to potential hypokalemia.
,3. A patient is suspected of having Digoxin toxicity. Which of the following is a
classic visual disturbance associated with this condition?
A. Double vision
B. Total blindness
C. Yellow-green halos around lights
D. Peripheral vision loss
Answer: C
Rationale: Digoxin toxicity often presents with visual changes, specifically xanthopsia,
which is seeing yellow or green halos.
4. What is the primary mechanism of action for Nitroglycerin in treating angina?
A. Increasing heart rate
B. Vasoconstriction of peripheral veins
C. Vasodilation of coronary and peripheral vessels
D. Inhibition of platelet aggregation
Answer: C
Rationale: Nitroglycerin acts as a vasodilator, reducing preload and afterload while
improving oxygen delivery to the myocardium.
5. Which medication is the antidote for Heparin overdose?
A. Protamine Sulfate
B. Vitamin K
C. Naloxone
D. Acetylcysteine
Answer: A
Rationale: Protamine Sulfate is the specific antagonist used to reverse the effects of
heparin.
, 6. A patient is taking Warfarin (Coumadin). Which lab test is used to monitor its
therapeutic effect?
A. aPTT
B. Platelet count
C. Hemoglobin A1c
D. PT/INR
Answer: D
Rationale: Prothrombin Time (PT) and International Normalized Ratio (INR) are standard
tests to monitor warfarin therapy.
7. Atorvastatin (Lipitor) is prescribed to a patient. The nurse should instruct the
patient to report which serious side effect?
A. Increased heart rate
B. Muscle pain or tenderness
C. Shortness of breath
D. Constipation
Answer: B
Rationale: Muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness can indicate rhabdomyolysis, a
potentially fatal breakdown of muscle tissue caused by statins.
8. A patient with asthma is prescribed Albuterol. What type of medication is
this?
A. Inhaled corticosteroid
B. Short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA)
C. Long-acting beta-2 agonist (LABA)
D. Anticholinergic
Answer: B
Rationale: Albuterol is a SABA used as a rescue inhaler for acute bronchospasm.
1. A patient is prescribed Lisinopril for hypertension. Which side effect should
the nurse instruct the patient to report immediately?
A. Increased appetite
B. Persistent dry cough
C. Yellowing of the skin
D. Excessive sweating
Answer: B
Rationale: ACE inhibitors like Lisinopril are known to cause a persistent dry cough due to
the accumulation of bradykinin.
2. Which lab value is most important to monitor in a patient taking Furosemide
(Lasix)?
A. Serum Sodium
B. Serum Calcium
C. Serum Potassium
D. White Blood Cell count
Answer: C
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant loss of potassium, leading
to potential hypokalemia.
,3. A patient is suspected of having Digoxin toxicity. Which of the following is a
classic visual disturbance associated with this condition?
A. Double vision
B. Total blindness
C. Yellow-green halos around lights
D. Peripheral vision loss
Answer: C
Rationale: Digoxin toxicity often presents with visual changes, specifically xanthopsia,
which is seeing yellow or green halos.
4. What is the primary mechanism of action for Nitroglycerin in treating angina?
A. Increasing heart rate
B. Vasoconstriction of peripheral veins
C. Vasodilation of coronary and peripheral vessels
D. Inhibition of platelet aggregation
Answer: C
Rationale: Nitroglycerin acts as a vasodilator, reducing preload and afterload while
improving oxygen delivery to the myocardium.
5. Which medication is the antidote for Heparin overdose?
A. Protamine Sulfate
B. Vitamin K
C. Naloxone
D. Acetylcysteine
Answer: A
Rationale: Protamine Sulfate is the specific antagonist used to reverse the effects of
heparin.
, 6. A patient is taking Warfarin (Coumadin). Which lab test is used to monitor its
therapeutic effect?
A. aPTT
B. Platelet count
C. Hemoglobin A1c
D. PT/INR
Answer: D
Rationale: Prothrombin Time (PT) and International Normalized Ratio (INR) are standard
tests to monitor warfarin therapy.
7. Atorvastatin (Lipitor) is prescribed to a patient. The nurse should instruct the
patient to report which serious side effect?
A. Increased heart rate
B. Muscle pain or tenderness
C. Shortness of breath
D. Constipation
Answer: B
Rationale: Muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness can indicate rhabdomyolysis, a
potentially fatal breakdown of muscle tissue caused by statins.
8. A patient with asthma is prescribed Albuterol. What type of medication is
this?
A. Inhaled corticosteroid
B. Short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA)
C. Long-acting beta-2 agonist (LABA)
D. Anticholinergic
Answer: B
Rationale: Albuterol is a SABA used as a rescue inhaler for acute bronchospasm.
