WGU D441
PHARMACOLOGY EXAM
MEDICINE CERTIFICATION
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
2027 UPDATED
1
,A client has a prescription for heparin 1,000 units IV STAT. Several pre filled syringes of
low molecular weight heparin are available in the client's medication drawer. Which
action should the nurse implement?
A. Request a prescription to change the route of administration and use the available
heparin.
B. Advise the pharmacy of the need to deliver a vial of heparin to the nursing unit
immediately.
C. Calculate and administer the equivalent dose of the available low molecular weight
heparin.
D. Dilute the available heparin in 250 mL of normal saline solution prior to IV
administration. - Correct Answer✅-B. Advise the pharmacy of the need to deliver a
vial of heparin to the nursing unit immediately.
A client has a prescription for heparin 1000 units IV STAT. Several pre-filled syringes of
low molecular weight heparin are available in the client's medication drawer. Which
action should the nurse implement? - Correct Answer✅- Advise the pharmacy of the
need to deliver a vial of heparin to the nursing unit immediately.
A client has a prescription for heparin 1000 units IV STAT. Several pre-filled syringes of
low molecular weight heparin are available in the client's medication drawer. Which
action should the nurse implement? - Correct Answer✅ Advise the pharmacy of the
need to deliver a vial of heparin to the nursing unit immediately.
A client is Experiencing toxicity to Acetaminophen. Which of the following antidotes
must be given to the client to counteract the toxicity of the analgesic drug? - Correct
Answer✅-acetylcysteine
A client is receiving a prescription for penicillin 1.2 million units IM. The available vial is
labeled "600,000 units/2 mL". How many mL should the nurse administer? - Correct
Answer✅-4 mL
A client is receiving a prescription for penicillin 1.2 million units IM. The available vial is
labeled "600,000 units/2 mL". How many mL should the nurse administer? - Correct
Answer✅-4 mL
A client is receiving metronidazole for Clostridium difficile pseudomembranous colitis.
Which information should the nurse include in the clients medication teaching? -
Correct Answer✅-. Avoid the use of alcohol
A client is receiving metronidazole for Clostridium difficile pseudomembranous colitis.
Which information should the nurse include in the clients medication teaching? -
Correct Answer✅-. Avoid the use of alcohol
A client is receiving metronidazole for Clostridium difficile pseudomembranous colitis.
Which information should the nurse include in this client's medication teaching plan?
A. Keep medication refrigerated.
2
,B. Drink a liter of water daily.
C. Take one hour after eating.
D. Avoid the use of alcohol. - Correct Answer✅-D. Avoid the use of alcohol.
A client is receiving orlistat as part of a weight management program. Which ongoing
assessment should be included in the plan of care to determine the effectiveness of the
medication?
A. Serum protein levels.
B. Body mass index (BMI).
C. Daily calorie count.
D. Depression screening. - Correct Answer✅-B. Body mass index (BMI).
A client is receiving orlistat as part of a weight management program. Which ongoing
assessment should be included in the plan of care to determine the effectiveness of the
medication? - Correct Answer✅- Body Mass Index
A client is receiving orlistat as part of a weight management program. Which ongoing
assessment should be included in the plan of care to determine the effectiveness of the
medication? - Correct Answer✅- Body Mass Index
A client is receiving patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) postoperatively. After three
hours the nurse finds the client is having trouble breathing and is feeling dizzy and
lightheaded. Which of the following is the nurse's priority action? - Correct Answer✅-
Wake the client and asses vital signs: AIMS
A=ABC
I= Intervention Oxygenation
M= Make HCP aware
S= Second Dose of Naloxone
A client is receiving patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). When is it appropriate to notify
the healthcare provider (HCP) for an increase in dosage? - Correct Answer✅-When the
client attempts are two times the dose of medication given.
A client presents with mild joint pain and has been taking over-the counter
acetaminophen for the treatment of his symptoms. The client has a history of alcohol
abuse. Based on the current medication and social history of the client, which of the
following is the client at risk for developing? - Correct Answer✅-Hepatoxicity
A client presents with muscle aches and is prescribed a topical analgesic with capsaicin.
Which of the following statements from the client ensures the proper understanding of
the use of the medication? - Correct Answer✅-The medication will cause local
irritation which is normal
A client receives a prescription for allopurinol. Which information provided by the
client requires additional instruction by the nurse?
A. Avoid taking on an empty stomach.
3
, B. Reduce caffeine and acidic intake.
C. Consume 2 liters of water daily.
D. Double the dose if a dose is missed. - Correct Answer✅-D. Double the dose if a dose
is missed.
A client receives a prescription for allopurinol. Which information provided by the
client requires additional instruction by the nurse? - Correct Answer✅- "If I miss a
dose, I'll double the next dose."
A client receives a prescription for allopurinol. Which information provided by the
client requires additional instruction by the nurse? - Correct Answer✅- "If I miss a
dose, I'll double the next dose."
A client receives a prescription for ciprofloxacin 400 mg intravenously (IV) every 12
hours to be infused over an hour. The IV bag contains ciprofloxacin 400 mg in dextrose
5% in water (DW) 200 mL. The nurse should program the infusion pump to deliver how
many mL/hr? (Enter numerical value only.) - Correct Answer✅-200
A client receives a prescription for dextrose 5% in water 500 mL IV to be infused over 4
hours. The IV administration set delivers 15 gtt/mL. How many gtt/min should the
nurse regulate the infusion? (Enter numerical value only. If rounding is required, round
to the nearest whole number.)
Hide Correct Answer and Explanation - Correct Answer✅-31
To find out how many gtt/min the nurse should regulate the infusion;
We can use the following formula:
Flow rate (gtt/min) = Total volume (mL) / Time (min) × Drop factor (gtt/mL)
Given:
Total volume = 500 mL
Time = 4 hours = 240 minutes (since 1 hour = 60 minutes)
Drop factor = 15 gtt/mL
Substituting the given values into the formula:
Flow rate (gtt/min) =500 mL/240 min ×15 gtt/mL
After performing the calculation, we find that the flow rate equals 31.25 gtt/min.
So, the nurse should regulate the infusion to 31 gtt/min (rounded to the nearest whole
number)
A client receives a prescription for penicillin 1.2 million units IM. The available vial is
labeled, "600,000 units/2 mL." How many mL should the nurse administer? (Enter
numeric value only.) - Correct Answer✅-4
Calculations:
Desired dose: 1.2 million units
Available dose: 600,000 units/2 mL
To find the volume to administer, we can use the following formula:
Volume to administer = (Desired dose / Available dose) * Volume per dose
Volume to administer = (1,200,000 units / 600,000 units/mL) * 2 mL = 4 mL
Therefore, the nurse should administer 4 mL of the penicillin solution.
4
PHARMACOLOGY EXAM
MEDICINE CERTIFICATION
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
2027 UPDATED
1
,A client has a prescription for heparin 1,000 units IV STAT. Several pre filled syringes of
low molecular weight heparin are available in the client's medication drawer. Which
action should the nurse implement?
A. Request a prescription to change the route of administration and use the available
heparin.
B. Advise the pharmacy of the need to deliver a vial of heparin to the nursing unit
immediately.
C. Calculate and administer the equivalent dose of the available low molecular weight
heparin.
D. Dilute the available heparin in 250 mL of normal saline solution prior to IV
administration. - Correct Answer✅-B. Advise the pharmacy of the need to deliver a
vial of heparin to the nursing unit immediately.
A client has a prescription for heparin 1000 units IV STAT. Several pre-filled syringes of
low molecular weight heparin are available in the client's medication drawer. Which
action should the nurse implement? - Correct Answer✅- Advise the pharmacy of the
need to deliver a vial of heparin to the nursing unit immediately.
A client has a prescription for heparin 1000 units IV STAT. Several pre-filled syringes of
low molecular weight heparin are available in the client's medication drawer. Which
action should the nurse implement? - Correct Answer✅ Advise the pharmacy of the
need to deliver a vial of heparin to the nursing unit immediately.
A client is Experiencing toxicity to Acetaminophen. Which of the following antidotes
must be given to the client to counteract the toxicity of the analgesic drug? - Correct
Answer✅-acetylcysteine
A client is receiving a prescription for penicillin 1.2 million units IM. The available vial is
labeled "600,000 units/2 mL". How many mL should the nurse administer? - Correct
Answer✅-4 mL
A client is receiving a prescription for penicillin 1.2 million units IM. The available vial is
labeled "600,000 units/2 mL". How many mL should the nurse administer? - Correct
Answer✅-4 mL
A client is receiving metronidazole for Clostridium difficile pseudomembranous colitis.
Which information should the nurse include in the clients medication teaching? -
Correct Answer✅-. Avoid the use of alcohol
A client is receiving metronidazole for Clostridium difficile pseudomembranous colitis.
Which information should the nurse include in the clients medication teaching? -
Correct Answer✅-. Avoid the use of alcohol
A client is receiving metronidazole for Clostridium difficile pseudomembranous colitis.
Which information should the nurse include in this client's medication teaching plan?
A. Keep medication refrigerated.
2
,B. Drink a liter of water daily.
C. Take one hour after eating.
D. Avoid the use of alcohol. - Correct Answer✅-D. Avoid the use of alcohol.
A client is receiving orlistat as part of a weight management program. Which ongoing
assessment should be included in the plan of care to determine the effectiveness of the
medication?
A. Serum protein levels.
B. Body mass index (BMI).
C. Daily calorie count.
D. Depression screening. - Correct Answer✅-B. Body mass index (BMI).
A client is receiving orlistat as part of a weight management program. Which ongoing
assessment should be included in the plan of care to determine the effectiveness of the
medication? - Correct Answer✅- Body Mass Index
A client is receiving orlistat as part of a weight management program. Which ongoing
assessment should be included in the plan of care to determine the effectiveness of the
medication? - Correct Answer✅- Body Mass Index
A client is receiving patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) postoperatively. After three
hours the nurse finds the client is having trouble breathing and is feeling dizzy and
lightheaded. Which of the following is the nurse's priority action? - Correct Answer✅-
Wake the client and asses vital signs: AIMS
A=ABC
I= Intervention Oxygenation
M= Make HCP aware
S= Second Dose of Naloxone
A client is receiving patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). When is it appropriate to notify
the healthcare provider (HCP) for an increase in dosage? - Correct Answer✅-When the
client attempts are two times the dose of medication given.
A client presents with mild joint pain and has been taking over-the counter
acetaminophen for the treatment of his symptoms. The client has a history of alcohol
abuse. Based on the current medication and social history of the client, which of the
following is the client at risk for developing? - Correct Answer✅-Hepatoxicity
A client presents with muscle aches and is prescribed a topical analgesic with capsaicin.
Which of the following statements from the client ensures the proper understanding of
the use of the medication? - Correct Answer✅-The medication will cause local
irritation which is normal
A client receives a prescription for allopurinol. Which information provided by the
client requires additional instruction by the nurse?
A. Avoid taking on an empty stomach.
3
, B. Reduce caffeine and acidic intake.
C. Consume 2 liters of water daily.
D. Double the dose if a dose is missed. - Correct Answer✅-D. Double the dose if a dose
is missed.
A client receives a prescription for allopurinol. Which information provided by the
client requires additional instruction by the nurse? - Correct Answer✅- "If I miss a
dose, I'll double the next dose."
A client receives a prescription for allopurinol. Which information provided by the
client requires additional instruction by the nurse? - Correct Answer✅- "If I miss a
dose, I'll double the next dose."
A client receives a prescription for ciprofloxacin 400 mg intravenously (IV) every 12
hours to be infused over an hour. The IV bag contains ciprofloxacin 400 mg in dextrose
5% in water (DW) 200 mL. The nurse should program the infusion pump to deliver how
many mL/hr? (Enter numerical value only.) - Correct Answer✅-200
A client receives a prescription for dextrose 5% in water 500 mL IV to be infused over 4
hours. The IV administration set delivers 15 gtt/mL. How many gtt/min should the
nurse regulate the infusion? (Enter numerical value only. If rounding is required, round
to the nearest whole number.)
Hide Correct Answer and Explanation - Correct Answer✅-31
To find out how many gtt/min the nurse should regulate the infusion;
We can use the following formula:
Flow rate (gtt/min) = Total volume (mL) / Time (min) × Drop factor (gtt/mL)
Given:
Total volume = 500 mL
Time = 4 hours = 240 minutes (since 1 hour = 60 minutes)
Drop factor = 15 gtt/mL
Substituting the given values into the formula:
Flow rate (gtt/min) =500 mL/240 min ×15 gtt/mL
After performing the calculation, we find that the flow rate equals 31.25 gtt/min.
So, the nurse should regulate the infusion to 31 gtt/min (rounded to the nearest whole
number)
A client receives a prescription for penicillin 1.2 million units IM. The available vial is
labeled, "600,000 units/2 mL." How many mL should the nurse administer? (Enter
numeric value only.) - Correct Answer✅-4
Calculations:
Desired dose: 1.2 million units
Available dose: 600,000 units/2 mL
To find the volume to administer, we can use the following formula:
Volume to administer = (Desired dose / Available dose) * Volume per dose
Volume to administer = (1,200,000 units / 600,000 units/mL) * 2 mL = 4 mL
Therefore, the nurse should administer 4 mL of the penicillin solution.
4
