D441 Pharmacology Week 6 Practice Quiz 2026 |WGU
1. A nurse is providing teaching to a patient who has a new prescription for
albuterol. Which of the following should the nurse include as a common side
effect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Tachycardia
C. Drowsiness
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta2-agonist (SABA) that can stimulate the heart,
leading to tachycardia, tremors, and nervousness.
2. Which instruction is essential for a patient using a fluticasone metered-dose
inhaler for the treatment of chronic asthma?
A. Use the inhaler only during an acute asthma attack.
B. Wait 10 minutes between puffs of the same medication.
C. Rinse the mouth with water after each use.
D. Avoid drinking fluids for one hour after use.
Answer: C
Rationale: Rinsing the mouth after using inhaled corticosteroids like fluticasone helps
prevent the development of oral candidiasis (thrush).
,3. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes is prescribed Insulin Lispro. The nurse should
instruct the patient to eat within how many minutes of administration?
A. 30 to 60 minutes
B. 5 to 15 minutes
C. 2 to 3 hours
D. Immediately before bed
Answer: B
Rationale: Insulin Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15 to 30 minutes,
necessitating food intake almost immediately after administration.
4. Which medication must be held for 48 hours before and after a diagnostic
test involving iodinated contrast dye?
A. Metformin
B. Glyburide
C. Pioglitazone
D. Sitagliptin
Answer: A
Rationale: Metformin must be held to prevent the risk of lactic acidosis if the contrast dye
causes temporary renal impairment.
5. A patient is prescribed levothyroxine for hypothyroidism. When should the
nurse instruct the patient to take this medication?
A. At bedtime with a snack
B. With the largest meal of the day
C. In the morning on an empty stomach
D. Only when feeling fatigued
Answer: C
Rationale: Levothyroxine should be taken in the morning on an empty stomach, at least
30-60 minutes before breakfast, to maximize absorption.
, 6. A nurse is caring for a patient taking prednisone for an acute exacerbation of
COPD. Which finding should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Increased appetite
B. Weight loss of 1 lb in a week
C. Black, tarry stools
D. Mild insomnia
Answer: C
Rationale: Black, tarry stools can indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, a serious side effect of
glucocorticoids like prednisone.
7. The nurse is monitoring a patient receiving theophylline. Which serum level
indicates the patient is within the therapeutic range?
A. 2 mcg/mL
B. 40 mcg/mL
C. 25 mcg/mL
D. 15 mcg/mL
Answer: D
Rationale: The therapeutic range for theophylline is generally 10 to 20 mcg/mL. Levels
above 20 mcg/mL indicate toxicity.
8. Which of the following is a potential side effect of the anticholinergic
bronchodilator ipratropium?
A. Dry mouth
B. Excessive salivation
C. Diarrhea
D. Urinary frequency
Answer: A
Rationale: Anticholinergic effects include the ‘can’t spit, can’t see, can’t poop’ symptoms,
with dry mouth being very common.
1. A nurse is providing teaching to a patient who has a new prescription for
albuterol. Which of the following should the nurse include as a common side
effect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Tachycardia
C. Drowsiness
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta2-agonist (SABA) that can stimulate the heart,
leading to tachycardia, tremors, and nervousness.
2. Which instruction is essential for a patient using a fluticasone metered-dose
inhaler for the treatment of chronic asthma?
A. Use the inhaler only during an acute asthma attack.
B. Wait 10 minutes between puffs of the same medication.
C. Rinse the mouth with water after each use.
D. Avoid drinking fluids for one hour after use.
Answer: C
Rationale: Rinsing the mouth after using inhaled corticosteroids like fluticasone helps
prevent the development of oral candidiasis (thrush).
,3. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes is prescribed Insulin Lispro. The nurse should
instruct the patient to eat within how many minutes of administration?
A. 30 to 60 minutes
B. 5 to 15 minutes
C. 2 to 3 hours
D. Immediately before bed
Answer: B
Rationale: Insulin Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15 to 30 minutes,
necessitating food intake almost immediately after administration.
4. Which medication must be held for 48 hours before and after a diagnostic
test involving iodinated contrast dye?
A. Metformin
B. Glyburide
C. Pioglitazone
D. Sitagliptin
Answer: A
Rationale: Metformin must be held to prevent the risk of lactic acidosis if the contrast dye
causes temporary renal impairment.
5. A patient is prescribed levothyroxine for hypothyroidism. When should the
nurse instruct the patient to take this medication?
A. At bedtime with a snack
B. With the largest meal of the day
C. In the morning on an empty stomach
D. Only when feeling fatigued
Answer: C
Rationale: Levothyroxine should be taken in the morning on an empty stomach, at least
30-60 minutes before breakfast, to maximize absorption.
, 6. A nurse is caring for a patient taking prednisone for an acute exacerbation of
COPD. Which finding should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Increased appetite
B. Weight loss of 1 lb in a week
C. Black, tarry stools
D. Mild insomnia
Answer: C
Rationale: Black, tarry stools can indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, a serious side effect of
glucocorticoids like prednisone.
7. The nurse is monitoring a patient receiving theophylline. Which serum level
indicates the patient is within the therapeutic range?
A. 2 mcg/mL
B. 40 mcg/mL
C. 25 mcg/mL
D. 15 mcg/mL
Answer: D
Rationale: The therapeutic range for theophylline is generally 10 to 20 mcg/mL. Levels
above 20 mcg/mL indicate toxicity.
8. Which of the following is a potential side effect of the anticholinergic
bronchodilator ipratropium?
A. Dry mouth
B. Excessive salivation
C. Diarrhea
D. Urinary frequency
Answer: A
Rationale: Anticholinergic effects include the ‘can’t spit, can’t see, can’t poop’ symptoms,
with dry mouth being very common.
