D441 Pharmacology Final Exam Version 1 Practice 2026 |WGU
1. A patient is prescribed Lisinopril. Which side effect should the nurse instruct
the patient to report immediately?
A. Increased appetite
B. Dry, persistent cough
C. Yellowing of the skin
D. Muscle cramps
Answer: B
Rationale: ACE inhibitors like Lisinopril commonly cause a dry, hacking cough due to the
accumulation of bradykinin.
2. Which lab value is most important to monitor for a patient taking Warfarin?
A. INR (International Normalized Ratio)
B. Serum Creatinine
C. White Blood Cell count
D. Hemoglobin A1C
Answer: A
Rationale: INR is the standard measurement used to monitor the effectiveness of Warfarin
therapy and ensure it is within the therapeutic range.
3. What is the primary mechanism of action for a Beta-1 antagonist?
A. Increased heart rate and contractility
B. Bronchodilation
C. Decreased heart rate and contractility
D. Vasoconstriction of peripheral vessels
Answer: C
,Rationale: Beta-1 receptors are primarily in the heart; antagonists (blockers) decrease
heart rate and the force of contraction.
4. A patient is experiencing an opioid overdose. Which medication should the
nurse prepare to administer?
A. Naloxone
B. Acetylcysteine
C. Flumazenil
D. Atropine
Answer: A
Rationale: Naloxone is the opioid antagonist used to reverse respiratory depression and
other effects of opioid toxicity.
5. Which of the following is a common side effect of Spironolactone?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: D
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic, which can lead to elevated
potassium levels (hyperkalemia).
6. When administering Nitroglycerin sublingually for chest pain, how many
doses can be given before calling emergency services?
A. Only one dose
B. Five doses, 1 minute apart
C. Three doses, 5 minutes apart
D. Doses can be given until pain stops
Answer: C
, Rationale: The standard protocol is one dose every 5 minutes for a maximum of 3 doses;
however, current guidelines often advise calling EMS if pain is not relieved after the first
dose.
7. Which medication is used as the reversal agent for Heparin?
A. Protamine Sulfate
B. Vitamin K
C. Glucagon
D. Calcium Gluconate
Answer: A
Rationale: Protamine Sulfate binds to heparin to form a stable salt, neutralizing its
anticoagulant effect.
8. A patient on Digoxin reports seeing yellow-green halos around lights. What
does the nurse suspect?
A. Expected side effect
B. Normal aging process
C. Digoxin toxicity
D. Developing cataracts
Answer: C
Rationale: Visual disturbances, specifically yellow-green halos, are classic signs of Digoxin
toxicity.
9. What is the onset time for rapid-acting insulin (e.g., Lispro)?
A. 1 to 2 hours
B. 15 to 30 minutes
C. 4 to 6 hours
D. 30 to 60 minutes
Answer: B
1. A patient is prescribed Lisinopril. Which side effect should the nurse instruct
the patient to report immediately?
A. Increased appetite
B. Dry, persistent cough
C. Yellowing of the skin
D. Muscle cramps
Answer: B
Rationale: ACE inhibitors like Lisinopril commonly cause a dry, hacking cough due to the
accumulation of bradykinin.
2. Which lab value is most important to monitor for a patient taking Warfarin?
A. INR (International Normalized Ratio)
B. Serum Creatinine
C. White Blood Cell count
D. Hemoglobin A1C
Answer: A
Rationale: INR is the standard measurement used to monitor the effectiveness of Warfarin
therapy and ensure it is within the therapeutic range.
3. What is the primary mechanism of action for a Beta-1 antagonist?
A. Increased heart rate and contractility
B. Bronchodilation
C. Decreased heart rate and contractility
D. Vasoconstriction of peripheral vessels
Answer: C
,Rationale: Beta-1 receptors are primarily in the heart; antagonists (blockers) decrease
heart rate and the force of contraction.
4. A patient is experiencing an opioid overdose. Which medication should the
nurse prepare to administer?
A. Naloxone
B. Acetylcysteine
C. Flumazenil
D. Atropine
Answer: A
Rationale: Naloxone is the opioid antagonist used to reverse respiratory depression and
other effects of opioid toxicity.
5. Which of the following is a common side effect of Spironolactone?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: D
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic, which can lead to elevated
potassium levels (hyperkalemia).
6. When administering Nitroglycerin sublingually for chest pain, how many
doses can be given before calling emergency services?
A. Only one dose
B. Five doses, 1 minute apart
C. Three doses, 5 minutes apart
D. Doses can be given until pain stops
Answer: C
, Rationale: The standard protocol is one dose every 5 minutes for a maximum of 3 doses;
however, current guidelines often advise calling EMS if pain is not relieved after the first
dose.
7. Which medication is used as the reversal agent for Heparin?
A. Protamine Sulfate
B. Vitamin K
C. Glucagon
D. Calcium Gluconate
Answer: A
Rationale: Protamine Sulfate binds to heparin to form a stable salt, neutralizing its
anticoagulant effect.
8. A patient on Digoxin reports seeing yellow-green halos around lights. What
does the nurse suspect?
A. Expected side effect
B. Normal aging process
C. Digoxin toxicity
D. Developing cataracts
Answer: C
Rationale: Visual disturbances, specifically yellow-green halos, are classic signs of Digoxin
toxicity.
9. What is the onset time for rapid-acting insulin (e.g., Lispro)?
A. 1 to 2 hours
B. 15 to 30 minutes
C. 4 to 6 hours
D. 30 to 60 minutes
Answer: B
