D441 Pharmacology Week 8 Study Guide 2026 |WGU
1. A patient is prescribed Metformin for Type 2 Diabetes. Which of the following
is the most significant adverse effect to monitor for?
A. Lactic acidosis
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Weight gain
D. Fluid retention
Answer: A
Rationale: Metformin carries a black box warning for lactic acidosis, a rare but potentially
fatal metabolic complication, especially in patients with renal impairment.
2. Which type of insulin has the fastest onset of action?
A. Insulin Glargine
B. NPH Insulin
C. Insulin Lispro
D. Regular Insulin
Answer: C
Rationale: Insulin Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15-30 minutes, whereas
Regular is short-acting, NPH is intermediate, and Glargine is long-acting.
3. When should a patient be instructed to take Levothyroxine?
A. With a high-fiber dinner
B. In the morning 30-60 minutes before breakfast
C. Right before bedtime with a snack
D. Immediately after lunch
Answer: B
,Rationale: Levothyroxine absorption is best on an empty stomach, ideally 30-60 minutes
before the first meal of the day.
4. What is the primary mechanism of action for Sulfonylureas like Glyburide?
A. Increasing renal glucose excretion
B. Decreasing hepatic glucose production
C. Improving insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues
D. Stimulating the release of insulin from the pancreas
Answer: D
Rationale: Sulfonylureas work by stimulating the beta cells of the pancreas to secrete
more insulin.
5. Which medication is used to treat a patient experiencing severe
hypoglycemia who is unconscious?
A. Glucagon IM
B. Oral Glucose Gel
C. Acarbose
D. Sitagliptin
Answer: A
Rationale: Glucagon is used as an emergency treatment for severe hypoglycemia when the
patient cannot safely swallow oral carbohydrates.
6. Propylthiouracil (PTU) is prescribed for Hyperthyroidism. Which laboratory
value is most critical to monitor?
A. Serum Potassium
B. Liver function tests (ALT/AST)
C. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
D. Hemoglobin A1c
Answer: B
, Rationale: PTU has a black box warning for severe liver injury and acute liver failure.
7. A patient taking Prednisone for a long duration should be cautioned against
stopping it abruptly to prevent:
A. Thyroid storm
B. Adrenal crisis
C. Hypertensive crisis
D. Serotonin syndrome
Answer: B
Rationale: Abrupt withdrawal of corticosteroids can lead to acute adrenal insufficiency
because the body’s natural cortisol production has been suppressed.
8. Which of the following is a common side effect of Alendronate?
A. Hypotension
B. Weight gain
C. Esophagitis
D. Tachycardia
Answer: C
Rationale: Bisphosphonates like Alendronate can cause severe esophageal irritation;
patients must remain upright for 30 minutes after taking it.
9. Which drug class does Pioglitazone belong to?
A. Biguanides
B. DPP-4 inhibitors
C. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs)
D. SGLT2 inhibitors
Answer: C
Rationale: Pioglitazone is a TZD that improves insulin sensitivity in the muscle and
adipose tissue.
1. A patient is prescribed Metformin for Type 2 Diabetes. Which of the following
is the most significant adverse effect to monitor for?
A. Lactic acidosis
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Weight gain
D. Fluid retention
Answer: A
Rationale: Metformin carries a black box warning for lactic acidosis, a rare but potentially
fatal metabolic complication, especially in patients with renal impairment.
2. Which type of insulin has the fastest onset of action?
A. Insulin Glargine
B. NPH Insulin
C. Insulin Lispro
D. Regular Insulin
Answer: C
Rationale: Insulin Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15-30 minutes, whereas
Regular is short-acting, NPH is intermediate, and Glargine is long-acting.
3. When should a patient be instructed to take Levothyroxine?
A. With a high-fiber dinner
B. In the morning 30-60 minutes before breakfast
C. Right before bedtime with a snack
D. Immediately after lunch
Answer: B
,Rationale: Levothyroxine absorption is best on an empty stomach, ideally 30-60 minutes
before the first meal of the day.
4. What is the primary mechanism of action for Sulfonylureas like Glyburide?
A. Increasing renal glucose excretion
B. Decreasing hepatic glucose production
C. Improving insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues
D. Stimulating the release of insulin from the pancreas
Answer: D
Rationale: Sulfonylureas work by stimulating the beta cells of the pancreas to secrete
more insulin.
5. Which medication is used to treat a patient experiencing severe
hypoglycemia who is unconscious?
A. Glucagon IM
B. Oral Glucose Gel
C. Acarbose
D. Sitagliptin
Answer: A
Rationale: Glucagon is used as an emergency treatment for severe hypoglycemia when the
patient cannot safely swallow oral carbohydrates.
6. Propylthiouracil (PTU) is prescribed for Hyperthyroidism. Which laboratory
value is most critical to monitor?
A. Serum Potassium
B. Liver function tests (ALT/AST)
C. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
D. Hemoglobin A1c
Answer: B
, Rationale: PTU has a black box warning for severe liver injury and acute liver failure.
7. A patient taking Prednisone for a long duration should be cautioned against
stopping it abruptly to prevent:
A. Thyroid storm
B. Adrenal crisis
C. Hypertensive crisis
D. Serotonin syndrome
Answer: B
Rationale: Abrupt withdrawal of corticosteroids can lead to acute adrenal insufficiency
because the body’s natural cortisol production has been suppressed.
8. Which of the following is a common side effect of Alendronate?
A. Hypotension
B. Weight gain
C. Esophagitis
D. Tachycardia
Answer: C
Rationale: Bisphosphonates like Alendronate can cause severe esophageal irritation;
patients must remain upright for 30 minutes after taking it.
9. Which drug class does Pioglitazone belong to?
A. Biguanides
B. DPP-4 inhibitors
C. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs)
D. SGLT2 inhibitors
Answer: C
Rationale: Pioglitazone is a TZD that improves insulin sensitivity in the muscle and
adipose tissue.
