WGU D027 PATHOPHARMACOLOGICAL
ADVANCED FOUNDATIONS EXAM
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
◉ How is Alzheimer's treated?
Answer: - There is no cure, but there are pharmacological and non-
pharmacological treatments
- Cholinesterase inhibitors
- Memantine (namenda)
◉ What are cholinesterase inhibitors prescribed for?
Answer: - To treat symptoms related to memory, thinking, language,
judgment, and other processes
- Helps delay or slow the worsening of symptoms
◉ What does cholinesterase inhibitors do?
Answer: - Prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical
messenger that is important for learning and memory
- Supports communication among nerve cells by keeping the
acetylcholine high
◉ What are some commonly prescribed cholinesterase inhibitors?
,Answer: - Donepezil (aricept)
- Galantamine (razadyne)
- Rivastigmine (exeleon)
◉ Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for all stages of
Alzheimer's?
Answer: - Donepezil (aricept)
◉ Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for mild-to-moderate
stages of Alzheimer's?
Answer: - Galantamine (razadyne)
- Rivastigmine (exeleon)
◉ Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for mild-to-moderate
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's?
Answer: - Rivastigmine (exeleon)
◉ What medication combination is used to treat moderate-to-severe
Alzheimer's?
Answer: - Memantine (namenda) and donepezil (aricept)
◉ What is memantine (namenda) used for?
,Answer: - Prescribed to improve memory, attention, reason,
language, and the ability to perform simple tasks
- Can be used alone or with other Alzheimer's disease treatments
◉ How does memantine (namenda) work?
Answer: - Regulates the activity of glutamate, a chemical involved in
information processing, storage, and retrieval
- Improves mental functioning and ability to perform daily activities
for some people
◉ What is the difference in MOA between cholinesterase inhibitors
and memantine (namenda)?
Answer: - Cholinesterase inhibitors prevent the breakdown of
acetylcholine, whereas memantine (namenda) regulates the activity
of glutamate
◉ What is ataxia?
Answer: - Also known as cerebellum attacks
- Degenerative disease of the nervous system
- Many symptoms mimic those of being drunk (i.e. slurred speech,
stumbling, falling, and incoordination)
◉ What causes the symptoms of ataxia?
, Answer: - The damage caused to the cerebellum, the part of the
brain that is responsible for coordinating movements
- Can also be caused by damage to part of the spinal cord and nerves
◉ What is the treatment for ataxia?
Answer: - No treatment
- In some cases, treating the underlying causes (i.e. stopping
medications that cause ataxia)
- In other cases, it is a result from chicken pox or other viral
infections (likely to resolve on its own)
- Genetic causes/predisposed disposition is usually chronic
◉ What causes ataxia in the pediatric population?
Answer: - Genetic predisposition
- Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS)
- Prader-Willie Syndrome
◉ What is Fragile X syndrome (FXS)?
Answer: - A genetic condition inherited from parents which results
in various developmental problems
- Rare, but may be dangerous or life-threatening
- Present at birth and is a lifelong condition
- Rarely requires lab testing or imaging
ADVANCED FOUNDATIONS EXAM
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
◉ How is Alzheimer's treated?
Answer: - There is no cure, but there are pharmacological and non-
pharmacological treatments
- Cholinesterase inhibitors
- Memantine (namenda)
◉ What are cholinesterase inhibitors prescribed for?
Answer: - To treat symptoms related to memory, thinking, language,
judgment, and other processes
- Helps delay or slow the worsening of symptoms
◉ What does cholinesterase inhibitors do?
Answer: - Prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical
messenger that is important for learning and memory
- Supports communication among nerve cells by keeping the
acetylcholine high
◉ What are some commonly prescribed cholinesterase inhibitors?
,Answer: - Donepezil (aricept)
- Galantamine (razadyne)
- Rivastigmine (exeleon)
◉ Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for all stages of
Alzheimer's?
Answer: - Donepezil (aricept)
◉ Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for mild-to-moderate
stages of Alzheimer's?
Answer: - Galantamine (razadyne)
- Rivastigmine (exeleon)
◉ Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for mild-to-moderate
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's?
Answer: - Rivastigmine (exeleon)
◉ What medication combination is used to treat moderate-to-severe
Alzheimer's?
Answer: - Memantine (namenda) and donepezil (aricept)
◉ What is memantine (namenda) used for?
,Answer: - Prescribed to improve memory, attention, reason,
language, and the ability to perform simple tasks
- Can be used alone or with other Alzheimer's disease treatments
◉ How does memantine (namenda) work?
Answer: - Regulates the activity of glutamate, a chemical involved in
information processing, storage, and retrieval
- Improves mental functioning and ability to perform daily activities
for some people
◉ What is the difference in MOA between cholinesterase inhibitors
and memantine (namenda)?
Answer: - Cholinesterase inhibitors prevent the breakdown of
acetylcholine, whereas memantine (namenda) regulates the activity
of glutamate
◉ What is ataxia?
Answer: - Also known as cerebellum attacks
- Degenerative disease of the nervous system
- Many symptoms mimic those of being drunk (i.e. slurred speech,
stumbling, falling, and incoordination)
◉ What causes the symptoms of ataxia?
, Answer: - The damage caused to the cerebellum, the part of the
brain that is responsible for coordinating movements
- Can also be caused by damage to part of the spinal cord and nerves
◉ What is the treatment for ataxia?
Answer: - No treatment
- In some cases, treating the underlying causes (i.e. stopping
medications that cause ataxia)
- In other cases, it is a result from chicken pox or other viral
infections (likely to resolve on its own)
- Genetic causes/predisposed disposition is usually chronic
◉ What causes ataxia in the pediatric population?
Answer: - Genetic predisposition
- Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS)
- Prader-Willie Syndrome
◉ What is Fragile X syndrome (FXS)?
Answer: - A genetic condition inherited from parents which results
in various developmental problems
- Rare, but may be dangerous or life-threatening
- Present at birth and is a lifelong condition
- Rarely requires lab testing or imaging
