D441 Objective Assessment – WGU Pharmacology OA
– (2026/2027) Actual Questions & Study Guide |
Guarantee Pass
250 QUESTIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
# TOPIC
1 Autonomic Pharmacology
2 Cardiovascular
3 Respiratory
4 Gastrointestinal
5 Endocrine
6 Antimicrobials
7 Psychopharmacology
8 Pain & Inflammation
9 Neurological
10 Medication Safety
,Q1
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin. The client’s apical pulse is 52 bpm. What should the
nurse do first?
A) Administer the dose as ordered
B) Hold the dose and notify the provider CORRECT
C) Recheck the pulse in 30 minutes
D) Give half the dose
Rationale
Digoxin is held for apical pulse <60 bpm in adults due to risk of toxicity and bradycardia.
Q2
Which medication is a first-line treatment for anaphylaxis?
A) Diphenhydramine
B) Epinephrine IM CORRECT
C) Albuterol nebulizer
D) Methylprednisolone
Rationale
Epinephrine reverses bronchospasm and hypotension; it is the drug of choice for anaphylaxis.
Q3
A client on warfarin has an INR of 5.2 and no bleeding. Which action should the nurse take?
A) Administer vitamin K IV
B) Hold warfarin and notify the provider CORRECT
C) Give fresh frozen plasma
D) Continue warfarin as ordered
2
,Rationale
INR >5 without bleeding requires holding warfarin; vitamin K is for bleeding or very high INR.
Q4
Which side effect is most common with ACE inhibitors?
A) Bradycardia
B) Dry cough CORRECT
C) Hyperkalemia
D) Peripheral edema
Rationale
ACE inhibitors cause dry cough due to bradykinin accumulation. Hyperkalemia is also possible but cough
is most common.
Q5
A nurse is teaching a client about metformin. Which statement indicates understanding?
A) “I will take it on an empty stomach.”
B) “I will report any muscle pain or weakness.” CORRECT
C) “I can stop it if I feel better.”
D) “It often causes weight gain.”
Rationale
Muscle pain may indicate lactic acidosis, a rare but serious adverse effect of metformin.
Q6
Which medication is a potassium-sparing diuretic?
A) Furosemide
3
, B) Spironolactone CORRECT
C) Hydrochlorothiazide
D) Bumetanide
Rationale
Spironolactone is an aldosterone antagonist that retains potassium.
Q7
A client receiving IV vancomycin develops flushing and rash on the upper body. What is the
priority action?
A) Stop the infusion immediately
B) Slow the infusion rate CORRECT
C) Administer diphenhydramine
D) Notify the provider
Rationale
Red man syndrome is caused by rapid infusion; slowing the rate usually resolves symptoms.
Q8
Which insulin has the fastest onset?
A) Regular
B) NPH
C) Lispro CORRECT
D) Glargine
Rationale
Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with onset 15 minutes.
4
– (2026/2027) Actual Questions & Study Guide |
Guarantee Pass
250 QUESTIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
# TOPIC
1 Autonomic Pharmacology
2 Cardiovascular
3 Respiratory
4 Gastrointestinal
5 Endocrine
6 Antimicrobials
7 Psychopharmacology
8 Pain & Inflammation
9 Neurological
10 Medication Safety
,Q1
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin. The client’s apical pulse is 52 bpm. What should the
nurse do first?
A) Administer the dose as ordered
B) Hold the dose and notify the provider CORRECT
C) Recheck the pulse in 30 minutes
D) Give half the dose
Rationale
Digoxin is held for apical pulse <60 bpm in adults due to risk of toxicity and bradycardia.
Q2
Which medication is a first-line treatment for anaphylaxis?
A) Diphenhydramine
B) Epinephrine IM CORRECT
C) Albuterol nebulizer
D) Methylprednisolone
Rationale
Epinephrine reverses bronchospasm and hypotension; it is the drug of choice for anaphylaxis.
Q3
A client on warfarin has an INR of 5.2 and no bleeding. Which action should the nurse take?
A) Administer vitamin K IV
B) Hold warfarin and notify the provider CORRECT
C) Give fresh frozen plasma
D) Continue warfarin as ordered
2
,Rationale
INR >5 without bleeding requires holding warfarin; vitamin K is for bleeding or very high INR.
Q4
Which side effect is most common with ACE inhibitors?
A) Bradycardia
B) Dry cough CORRECT
C) Hyperkalemia
D) Peripheral edema
Rationale
ACE inhibitors cause dry cough due to bradykinin accumulation. Hyperkalemia is also possible but cough
is most common.
Q5
A nurse is teaching a client about metformin. Which statement indicates understanding?
A) “I will take it on an empty stomach.”
B) “I will report any muscle pain or weakness.” CORRECT
C) “I can stop it if I feel better.”
D) “It often causes weight gain.”
Rationale
Muscle pain may indicate lactic acidosis, a rare but serious adverse effect of metformin.
Q6
Which medication is a potassium-sparing diuretic?
A) Furosemide
3
, B) Spironolactone CORRECT
C) Hydrochlorothiazide
D) Bumetanide
Rationale
Spironolactone is an aldosterone antagonist that retains potassium.
Q7
A client receiving IV vancomycin develops flushing and rash on the upper body. What is the
priority action?
A) Stop the infusion immediately
B) Slow the infusion rate CORRECT
C) Administer diphenhydramine
D) Notify the provider
Rationale
Red man syndrome is caused by rapid infusion; slowing the rate usually resolves symptoms.
Q8
Which insulin has the fastest onset?
A) Regular
B) NPH
C) Lispro CORRECT
D) Glargine
Rationale
Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with onset 15 minutes.
4
