Comprehensive Study Guide for
WGU D116 Advanced Pharmacology
Pre-Assessment 100 Expert-Verified
Questions with Step-by-Step
Solutions for Top Grades
Prepared for WGU Students
September 30, 2025
,Contents
I Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics 2
II Autonomic Nervous System Drugs 5
III Cardiovascular Drugs 9
IV Central Nervous System Drugs 13
V Gastrointestinal and Endocrine Drugs 17
VI Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Drugs 21
VII Conclusion 25
1
, I Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
This section addresses drug movement and effects in the body, with 20 simplified questions
for foundational mastery.
Question 1: What does pharmacokinetics study?
Answer: How the body processes a drug: absorption, distribution, metabolism, excre-
tion.
Step-by-Step Solution:
(a) Break it down: pharmako (drug), kinetics (movement).
(b) Focus on bodys action on drug, not vice versa.
(c) Four key processes guide dosing and timing decisions.
Question 2: How is drug absorption defined?
Answer: Movement of a drug from administration site to bloodstream.
Step-by-Step Solution:
(a) Route mattersoral via gut, IV direct to blood.
(b) Food or pH alters rate (e.g., acidic drugs favor stomach).
(c) Slow absorption delays effectadjust for urgency.
Question 3: What happens during drug metabolism?
Answer: Body chemically alters drugs, primarily in liver.
Step-by-Step Solution:
(a) CYP450 enzymes transform drugs for elimination.
(b) Can activate (e.g., codeine to morphine) or inactivate.
(c) Liver dysfunction increases drug levelsmonitor elderly.
Question 4: How are drugs excreted?
Answer: Removal of drugs and metabolites, mainly via kidneys.
Step-by-Step Solution:
(a) Kidneys filter to urine; some via bile.
(b) Reduce dose in renal impairment to prevent toxicity.
(c) Monitor creatinine for clearance assessment.
Question 5: What is a drugs half-life?
Answer: Time for drug concentration to decrease by half.
Step-by-Step Solution:
(a) Short half-life needs frequent dosing (e.g., ibuprofen 4h).
2
WGU D116 Advanced Pharmacology
Pre-Assessment 100 Expert-Verified
Questions with Step-by-Step
Solutions for Top Grades
Prepared for WGU Students
September 30, 2025
,Contents
I Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics 2
II Autonomic Nervous System Drugs 5
III Cardiovascular Drugs 9
IV Central Nervous System Drugs 13
V Gastrointestinal and Endocrine Drugs 17
VI Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Drugs 21
VII Conclusion 25
1
, I Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
This section addresses drug movement and effects in the body, with 20 simplified questions
for foundational mastery.
Question 1: What does pharmacokinetics study?
Answer: How the body processes a drug: absorption, distribution, metabolism, excre-
tion.
Step-by-Step Solution:
(a) Break it down: pharmako (drug), kinetics (movement).
(b) Focus on bodys action on drug, not vice versa.
(c) Four key processes guide dosing and timing decisions.
Question 2: How is drug absorption defined?
Answer: Movement of a drug from administration site to bloodstream.
Step-by-Step Solution:
(a) Route mattersoral via gut, IV direct to blood.
(b) Food or pH alters rate (e.g., acidic drugs favor stomach).
(c) Slow absorption delays effectadjust for urgency.
Question 3: What happens during drug metabolism?
Answer: Body chemically alters drugs, primarily in liver.
Step-by-Step Solution:
(a) CYP450 enzymes transform drugs for elimination.
(b) Can activate (e.g., codeine to morphine) or inactivate.
(c) Liver dysfunction increases drug levelsmonitor elderly.
Question 4: How are drugs excreted?
Answer: Removal of drugs and metabolites, mainly via kidneys.
Step-by-Step Solution:
(a) Kidneys filter to urine; some via bile.
(b) Reduce dose in renal impairment to prevent toxicity.
(c) Monitor creatinine for clearance assessment.
Question 5: What is a drugs half-life?
Answer: Time for drug concentration to decrease by half.
Step-by-Step Solution:
(a) Short half-life needs frequent dosing (e.g., ibuprofen 4h).
2
