WGU D120 OA Objective Assessment All Questions and
Answers 2026 Update 100% Correct
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is examining a 70-year-old patient for complaints of
fatigue, constipation, and dentures that are suddenly not fitting well. The APRN suspects dehydration.
Which diagnostic tool will confirm this diagnosis?
Lipid profile
Abdominal X-ray
Complete metabolic panel
Urine culture and sensitivity - ANSWER---C
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is conducting a follow-up appointment with an older
patient who has recently been diagnosed with depression, constipation, and back pain. The APRN reviews
the patient's medications and notes prescriptions for pain management on the list.
Which recommendation should the APRN make to this patient?
Drink at least five glasses of water per day and switch to lower fat foods
Decrease fruit juices and soda intake
Encourage the patient to follow a low residue diet and keep a food diary
Modify diet to include more fiber and increase fluid intake - ANSWER---D
39
An elderly patient with a recent history of several falls is discussing driving privileges with an advanced
practice registered nurse (APRN). The patient mentions the desire to remain both mobile and
independent.
Which initial action should the APRN take to assist this patient?
Refer to a rehabilitation facility for screening by occupational therapist
Report to authorities for unsafe driving
Call the family to discuss the patient's concerns
Refer to registry of motor vehicles for a vision screening - ANSWER---A
40
,WGU D120 OA Objective Assessment All Questions and
Answers 2026 Update 100% Correct
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) reviews a patient's history and notes that prednisolone is
being taken for severe allergies even though the patient no longer has allergy symptoms. The APRN
decides to stop this medication and reviews the history again to determine if the medication must be
discontinued gradually instead of abruptly.
Under which circumstance should the APRN discontinue this medication gradually?
If the patient has been receiving 20 mg daily for the past four days
If the patient has been on the medication for two weeks
If the patient has been receiving 10 mg daily for the past six days
If the patient has been on the medication for four weeks - ANSWER---D
41
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is treating a 96-year-old patient who is taking six different
medications for chronic diseases. The APRN wants to improve compliance with the medications while
avoiding pill burden.
Which action should the APRN take to meet these goals?
Change the medications to liquid form
Use combination medications to minimize prescriptions
Encourage the patient to grind up all pills together
Reduce the frequency of all medications to once a day
42 - ANSWER---B
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is examining a 96-year-old patient who is complaining of
an ear infection. The patient reports currently taking four pills every day. The APRN decides to respond
to that information by taking a course of action recommended by the goals of geriatric care.
Which action should the APRN take for this patient?
Write the reason for the medication on the patient's prescription
Identify the strongest antibiotic to take to prevent a super infection
Add a medication to avoid a yeast infection
Avoid any additional medications and wait to see if it resolves - ANSWER---A
,WGU D120 OA Objective Assessment All Questions and
Answers 2026 Update 100% Correct
An older adult has a history of taking multiple medications for gastroesophageal reflux disease. The
advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) reviews the medications and decides to discontinue the
patient's proton pump inhibitor.
Which effect of this medication prompted the APRN to remove this prescription?
Increased rate of bone fracture
Increased risk for hypertension
Increased rate of hypermagnesemia
Increased risk for Helicobacter pylori - ANSWER---A
44
An 82-year-old patient comes to a clinic for routine care. The patient lives alone and has no family living
close by.
Which topic should the advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) discuss as part of the plan of care for
this patient?
Completing the Beers criteria
Reviewing advance directives
Moving into a nursing home
Invoking durable power of attorney for healthcare - ANSWER---B
A 72-year-old patient comes to the clinic for routine follow-up care with an advanced practice registered
nurse (APRN). The APRN performs a comprehensive physical exam, which is negative for findings, and
then completes advanced care planning services.
Why did the APRN complete this planning for this patient?
It enhances self-determination and quality of care.
It is indicated for this patient's disease process.
It is required by CMS for a patient of this age.
It increases billing services for the practice. - ANSWER---A
, WGU D120 OA Objective Assessment All Questions and
Answers 2026 Update 100% Correct
A female patient comes to the emergency department and states that she was raped on her way home from
classes at the local college. The advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) notes that the patient appears
disheveled, has bruising on her face and thighs, and has abrasions present on her knees, back, and elbows.
Which action should the APRN take?
Call the police to interview the patient and collect physical evidence
Prescribe ulipristal acetate 30 mg once daily for three days
Develop a relationship with the patient and get consent to collect evidence
Give a one-time dose of alprazolam 0.1 mg to decrease post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms
47 - ANSWER---C
A patient presents to an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) for lower-back pain that has been
returning intermittently for the past year. Corticosteroids have been tried and optimized with no relief.
The APRN notes that previous lumbar cervical spine X-rays and an MRI suggest radiculopathy arthritis.
Which action should the APRN take to assist this patient?
Schedule for outpatient mental health counseling
Schedule reassessment within six to eight weeks
Prescribe a long-acting opioid using the maximum dose
Prescribe a short-acting opioid using the lowest dose - ANSWER---D
An adult patient with a long history of alcohol abuse is being evaluated by the advanced practice
registered nurse (APRN) for chronic lower-back pain.
Which action the APRN take?
Encourage use of acetaminophen
Prescribe meperidine 100 mg q3h, as needed
Recommend calcium intake of 2000 IU QD
Encourage use of naproxen sodium - ANSWER---D
Answers 2026 Update 100% Correct
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is examining a 70-year-old patient for complaints of
fatigue, constipation, and dentures that are suddenly not fitting well. The APRN suspects dehydration.
Which diagnostic tool will confirm this diagnosis?
Lipid profile
Abdominal X-ray
Complete metabolic panel
Urine culture and sensitivity - ANSWER---C
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is conducting a follow-up appointment with an older
patient who has recently been diagnosed with depression, constipation, and back pain. The APRN reviews
the patient's medications and notes prescriptions for pain management on the list.
Which recommendation should the APRN make to this patient?
Drink at least five glasses of water per day and switch to lower fat foods
Decrease fruit juices and soda intake
Encourage the patient to follow a low residue diet and keep a food diary
Modify diet to include more fiber and increase fluid intake - ANSWER---D
39
An elderly patient with a recent history of several falls is discussing driving privileges with an advanced
practice registered nurse (APRN). The patient mentions the desire to remain both mobile and
independent.
Which initial action should the APRN take to assist this patient?
Refer to a rehabilitation facility for screening by occupational therapist
Report to authorities for unsafe driving
Call the family to discuss the patient's concerns
Refer to registry of motor vehicles for a vision screening - ANSWER---A
40
,WGU D120 OA Objective Assessment All Questions and
Answers 2026 Update 100% Correct
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) reviews a patient's history and notes that prednisolone is
being taken for severe allergies even though the patient no longer has allergy symptoms. The APRN
decides to stop this medication and reviews the history again to determine if the medication must be
discontinued gradually instead of abruptly.
Under which circumstance should the APRN discontinue this medication gradually?
If the patient has been receiving 20 mg daily for the past four days
If the patient has been on the medication for two weeks
If the patient has been receiving 10 mg daily for the past six days
If the patient has been on the medication for four weeks - ANSWER---D
41
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is treating a 96-year-old patient who is taking six different
medications for chronic diseases. The APRN wants to improve compliance with the medications while
avoiding pill burden.
Which action should the APRN take to meet these goals?
Change the medications to liquid form
Use combination medications to minimize prescriptions
Encourage the patient to grind up all pills together
Reduce the frequency of all medications to once a day
42 - ANSWER---B
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is examining a 96-year-old patient who is complaining of
an ear infection. The patient reports currently taking four pills every day. The APRN decides to respond
to that information by taking a course of action recommended by the goals of geriatric care.
Which action should the APRN take for this patient?
Write the reason for the medication on the patient's prescription
Identify the strongest antibiotic to take to prevent a super infection
Add a medication to avoid a yeast infection
Avoid any additional medications and wait to see if it resolves - ANSWER---A
,WGU D120 OA Objective Assessment All Questions and
Answers 2026 Update 100% Correct
An older adult has a history of taking multiple medications for gastroesophageal reflux disease. The
advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) reviews the medications and decides to discontinue the
patient's proton pump inhibitor.
Which effect of this medication prompted the APRN to remove this prescription?
Increased rate of bone fracture
Increased risk for hypertension
Increased rate of hypermagnesemia
Increased risk for Helicobacter pylori - ANSWER---A
44
An 82-year-old patient comes to a clinic for routine care. The patient lives alone and has no family living
close by.
Which topic should the advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) discuss as part of the plan of care for
this patient?
Completing the Beers criteria
Reviewing advance directives
Moving into a nursing home
Invoking durable power of attorney for healthcare - ANSWER---B
A 72-year-old patient comes to the clinic for routine follow-up care with an advanced practice registered
nurse (APRN). The APRN performs a comprehensive physical exam, which is negative for findings, and
then completes advanced care planning services.
Why did the APRN complete this planning for this patient?
It enhances self-determination and quality of care.
It is indicated for this patient's disease process.
It is required by CMS for a patient of this age.
It increases billing services for the practice. - ANSWER---A
, WGU D120 OA Objective Assessment All Questions and
Answers 2026 Update 100% Correct
A female patient comes to the emergency department and states that she was raped on her way home from
classes at the local college. The advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) notes that the patient appears
disheveled, has bruising on her face and thighs, and has abrasions present on her knees, back, and elbows.
Which action should the APRN take?
Call the police to interview the patient and collect physical evidence
Prescribe ulipristal acetate 30 mg once daily for three days
Develop a relationship with the patient and get consent to collect evidence
Give a one-time dose of alprazolam 0.1 mg to decrease post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms
47 - ANSWER---C
A patient presents to an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) for lower-back pain that has been
returning intermittently for the past year. Corticosteroids have been tried and optimized with no relief.
The APRN notes that previous lumbar cervical spine X-rays and an MRI suggest radiculopathy arthritis.
Which action should the APRN take to assist this patient?
Schedule for outpatient mental health counseling
Schedule reassessment within six to eight weeks
Prescribe a long-acting opioid using the maximum dose
Prescribe a short-acting opioid using the lowest dose - ANSWER---D
An adult patient with a long history of alcohol abuse is being evaluated by the advanced practice
registered nurse (APRN) for chronic lower-back pain.
Which action the APRN take?
Encourage use of acetaminophen
Prescribe meperidine 100 mg q3h, as needed
Recommend calcium intake of 2000 IU QD
Encourage use of naproxen sodium - ANSWER---D
