WGU D116 UNIT 3 EXAM QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026-2027 EXAM
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
WGU D116 Unit 3 Exam
Questions & Answers 2026-
2027
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales
93 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document provides 93 questions and their verified correct answers covering pharmacology and
patient care scenarios. It is suitable for students preparing for their WGU D116 certification exam. Learners
can use this resource to effectively study and review key concepts in preparation for their assessment.
CONTENTS
01 Autonomic Nervous System Agonists Q1–Q18
02 Special Populations & Drug Interactions Q19–Q24
03 Autonomic Nervous System Antagonists Q25–Q36
04 Parkinson's Disease & Alzheimer's Q37–Q47
05 Antiepileptics & Muscle Relaxants Q48–Q56
Page 1
, 06 Anesthetics & Analgesics Q57–Q68
07 Psychiatric Medications Q69–Q86
08 CNS Stimulants & ADHD Q87–Q93
E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 93
A patient asks his provider to explain what drug tolerance means.
The provider responds by telling the patient that when tolerance occurs, it means the patient __________.
CORRECT ANSWER
may need increased amounts of the drug over time
When tolerance develops, a dose increase may be needed because a decreased response may occur with
prolonged use
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 93
A group of nursing students asks a nurse to explain the blood-brain barrier.
The nurse would be correct to say that the blood-brain barrier __________.
CORRECT ANSWER
Prevents some potentially toxic substances from crossing into the central nervous system
Infants are more sensitive to CNS drugs and require lower doses
Prevents highly ionized and protein-bound drugs from entering
Allows lipid-soluble drugs drugs and drugs that use specific transport systems to enter
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 93
What type of drug class has effects on the heart and arterioles?
CORRECT ANSWER
Alpha1 agonist
Page 2
, Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 93
Anticcholinergic drugs are given for what effects?
CORRECT ANSWER
Urinary and GI tracts
They do not affect the urine muscles
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 93
A nurse is explaining the activation of beta-2 receptors to nursing students during a clinical rotation at the
hospital.
Which statement by a student demonstrates a need for further teaching?
CORRECT ANSWER
"Beta2 activation results in contraction of the uterine muscles"
Beta2 activation DOES result in vasodilation of skeletal muscles, bronchodilation, and glycogenolysis, and
RELAXATION of uterine muscles
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 93
A provider is teaching a patient about a medication that alters the sympathetic nervous system functions. To
evaluate understanding, the provider asks the patient to describe which functions the sympathetic nervous
system regulates.
Which answer indicates the need for further teaching?
CORRECT ANSWER
"The digestive functions of the body"
All apart of the sympathetic nervous system:
1. fight or flight
2. cardiovascular system
3. body temperature
Q7 QUESTION 7 OF 93
Page 3
, You have ordered pilocarpine. You understand that the drug stimulates muscarinic receptors.
Which action would you expect the drug to have?
CORRECT ANSWER
Lowering of intraocular pressure in pts with glaucoma
Also used to treat dry mouth because it increases salivary glands "Rest and digest"
Muscarinic agents are related to parasympathetic response
Q8 QUESTION 8 OF 93
You are teaching a nursing student about the two classes of adrenergic agonist drugs.
Which statement by the nursing student indicates understanding of the teaching?
CORRECT ANSWER
Catecholamines often require continuous infusion to be effective
Catecholamines undergo rapid degradtion by monoamine oxidase MAO and COMT. Brief duration of action and
continuous IV to be effective
They DO NOT cross the BBB, noncatecholamines do
Noncatecholamines can be given orally but catehcholamines can not
Q9 QUESTION 9 OF 93
Because they cause vasoconstriction, alpha1-adrenergic agonists are especially useful for __________.
CORRECT ANSWER
causing hemostasis in skin and mucous membranes
Example is epinephrine
These agents can increase BP but are not the primary drug used except in emergency situations
Q10 QUESTION 10 OF 93
Page 4
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
WGU D116 Unit 3 Exam
Questions & Answers 2026-
2027
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales
93 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document provides 93 questions and their verified correct answers covering pharmacology and
patient care scenarios. It is suitable for students preparing for their WGU D116 certification exam. Learners
can use this resource to effectively study and review key concepts in preparation for their assessment.
CONTENTS
01 Autonomic Nervous System Agonists Q1–Q18
02 Special Populations & Drug Interactions Q19–Q24
03 Autonomic Nervous System Antagonists Q25–Q36
04 Parkinson's Disease & Alzheimer's Q37–Q47
05 Antiepileptics & Muscle Relaxants Q48–Q56
Page 1
, 06 Anesthetics & Analgesics Q57–Q68
07 Psychiatric Medications Q69–Q86
08 CNS Stimulants & ADHD Q87–Q93
E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 93
A patient asks his provider to explain what drug tolerance means.
The provider responds by telling the patient that when tolerance occurs, it means the patient __________.
CORRECT ANSWER
may need increased amounts of the drug over time
When tolerance develops, a dose increase may be needed because a decreased response may occur with
prolonged use
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 93
A group of nursing students asks a nurse to explain the blood-brain barrier.
The nurse would be correct to say that the blood-brain barrier __________.
CORRECT ANSWER
Prevents some potentially toxic substances from crossing into the central nervous system
Infants are more sensitive to CNS drugs and require lower doses
Prevents highly ionized and protein-bound drugs from entering
Allows lipid-soluble drugs drugs and drugs that use specific transport systems to enter
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 93
What type of drug class has effects on the heart and arterioles?
CORRECT ANSWER
Alpha1 agonist
Page 2
, Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 93
Anticcholinergic drugs are given for what effects?
CORRECT ANSWER
Urinary and GI tracts
They do not affect the urine muscles
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 93
A nurse is explaining the activation of beta-2 receptors to nursing students during a clinical rotation at the
hospital.
Which statement by a student demonstrates a need for further teaching?
CORRECT ANSWER
"Beta2 activation results in contraction of the uterine muscles"
Beta2 activation DOES result in vasodilation of skeletal muscles, bronchodilation, and glycogenolysis, and
RELAXATION of uterine muscles
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 93
A provider is teaching a patient about a medication that alters the sympathetic nervous system functions. To
evaluate understanding, the provider asks the patient to describe which functions the sympathetic nervous
system regulates.
Which answer indicates the need for further teaching?
CORRECT ANSWER
"The digestive functions of the body"
All apart of the sympathetic nervous system:
1. fight or flight
2. cardiovascular system
3. body temperature
Q7 QUESTION 7 OF 93
Page 3
, You have ordered pilocarpine. You understand that the drug stimulates muscarinic receptors.
Which action would you expect the drug to have?
CORRECT ANSWER
Lowering of intraocular pressure in pts with glaucoma
Also used to treat dry mouth because it increases salivary glands "Rest and digest"
Muscarinic agents are related to parasympathetic response
Q8 QUESTION 8 OF 93
You are teaching a nursing student about the two classes of adrenergic agonist drugs.
Which statement by the nursing student indicates understanding of the teaching?
CORRECT ANSWER
Catecholamines often require continuous infusion to be effective
Catecholamines undergo rapid degradtion by monoamine oxidase MAO and COMT. Brief duration of action and
continuous IV to be effective
They DO NOT cross the BBB, noncatecholamines do
Noncatecholamines can be given orally but catehcholamines can not
Q9 QUESTION 9 OF 93
Because they cause vasoconstriction, alpha1-adrenergic agonists are especially useful for __________.
CORRECT ANSWER
causing hemostasis in skin and mucous membranes
Example is epinephrine
These agents can increase BP but are not the primary drug used except in emergency situations
Q10 QUESTION 10 OF 93
Page 4
