D441 Pharmacology Week 7 Practice Quiz 2026 |WGU
1. A patient is prescribed lisinopril for hypertension. Which side effect should
the nurse monitor for most closely?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperglycemia
C. Dry, hacking cough
D. Tachycardia
Answer: C
Rationale: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor, which commonly causes a dry, persistent cough
due to the accumulation of bradykinin.
2. Which laboratory value is used to monitor the effectiveness of Heparin
therapy?
A. PT/INR
B. aPTT
C. Platelet count
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: B
Rationale: The activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is used to monitor the
therapeutic effect of intravenous heparin.
,3. What is the mechanism of action for Metformin in the treatment of Type 2
Diabetes?
A. Stimulating insulin secretion from the pancreas
B. Decreasing glucose production by the liver
C. Increasing glucose excretion via the kidneys
D. Directly mimicking insulin at the receptor site
Answer: B
Rationale: Metformin works primarily by reducing hepatic glucose production and
improving insulin sensitivity.
4. A patient taking Digoxin reports seeing yellow halos around lights. What is
the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer the next dose as scheduled
B. Document this as a normal side effect
C. Assess the patient’s heart rate and notify the provider
D. Advise the patient to wear sunglasses
Answer: C
Rationale: Visual changes like yellow halos are classic signs of digoxin toxicity. The nurse
must check the pulse and contact the provider.
5. Which electrolyte imbalance is a patient taking Furosemide most at risk for
developing?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant potassium loss in the urine,
leading to hypokalemia.
, 6. What is the antidote for a Warfarin overdose?
A. Protamine sulfate
B. Naloxone
C. Vitamin K
D. Glucagon
Answer: C
Rationale: Vitamin K is the reversal agent for Warfarin-induced bleeding or excessive
anticoagulation.
7. A patient is starting Albuterol for asthma. What is the primary therapeutic
effect?
A. Reduction of airway inflammation
B. Thinning of respiratory secretions
C. Suppression of the cough reflex
D. Bronchodilation
Answer: D
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist that causes rapid bronchodilation to
relieve acute symptoms.
8. Why should a patient rinse their mouth after using a Beclomethasone
inhaler?
A. To prevent tooth decay
B. To improve the taste of the medication
C. To reduce the risk of oral candidiasis
D. To ensure the medication is swallowed
Answer: C
Rationale: Inhaled corticosteroids like beclomethasone can cause oral fungal infections
(thrush) if the residue remains in the mouth.
1. A patient is prescribed lisinopril for hypertension. Which side effect should
the nurse monitor for most closely?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperglycemia
C. Dry, hacking cough
D. Tachycardia
Answer: C
Rationale: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor, which commonly causes a dry, persistent cough
due to the accumulation of bradykinin.
2. Which laboratory value is used to monitor the effectiveness of Heparin
therapy?
A. PT/INR
B. aPTT
C. Platelet count
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: B
Rationale: The activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is used to monitor the
therapeutic effect of intravenous heparin.
,3. What is the mechanism of action for Metformin in the treatment of Type 2
Diabetes?
A. Stimulating insulin secretion from the pancreas
B. Decreasing glucose production by the liver
C. Increasing glucose excretion via the kidneys
D. Directly mimicking insulin at the receptor site
Answer: B
Rationale: Metformin works primarily by reducing hepatic glucose production and
improving insulin sensitivity.
4. A patient taking Digoxin reports seeing yellow halos around lights. What is
the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer the next dose as scheduled
B. Document this as a normal side effect
C. Assess the patient’s heart rate and notify the provider
D. Advise the patient to wear sunglasses
Answer: C
Rationale: Visual changes like yellow halos are classic signs of digoxin toxicity. The nurse
must check the pulse and contact the provider.
5. Which electrolyte imbalance is a patient taking Furosemide most at risk for
developing?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant potassium loss in the urine,
leading to hypokalemia.
, 6. What is the antidote for a Warfarin overdose?
A. Protamine sulfate
B. Naloxone
C. Vitamin K
D. Glucagon
Answer: C
Rationale: Vitamin K is the reversal agent for Warfarin-induced bleeding or excessive
anticoagulation.
7. A patient is starting Albuterol for asthma. What is the primary therapeutic
effect?
A. Reduction of airway inflammation
B. Thinning of respiratory secretions
C. Suppression of the cough reflex
D. Bronchodilation
Answer: D
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist that causes rapid bronchodilation to
relieve acute symptoms.
8. Why should a patient rinse their mouth after using a Beclomethasone
inhaler?
A. To prevent tooth decay
B. To improve the taste of the medication
C. To reduce the risk of oral candidiasis
D. To ensure the medication is swallowed
Answer: C
Rationale: Inhaled corticosteroids like beclomethasone can cause oral fungal infections
(thrush) if the residue remains in the mouth.
