1
WGU D116 ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT EXAM 2026
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
An advanced practice registered nurse has diagnosed a 44-year-old male
with depression. A plan is developed to start treatment with medication.
The patient has a history of sexual dysfunction and is concerned about
taking medication that may worsen this condition.
Which antidepressant has the benefit of enhancing libido? - ANSWER:
Bupropion
Bupropion does not cause sexual dysfunction. This will help the patient
with a history of sexual dysfunction. This will enhance the patient's libido,
which will help with both depression and sexual dysfunction.
A patient is wheezing and short of breath. The nurse assesses a heart rate of
88 beats per minute, a respiratory rate of 24 breaths per minute, and a
blood pressure of 124/78 mm Hg. The prescriber orders a nonspecific beta-
agonist medication.
Besides evaluating the patient for a reduction in respiratory distress, the
nurse should monitor for which side effect? - ANSWER: Tachycardia
Beta-agonists are used for asthma because of their beta2 effects on
bronchial smooth muscle, causing dilation. Beta1 effects cause tachycardia
and hypertension. Beta receptors do not exert effects on the bladder.
A patient is experiencing toxic side effects from atropine, including
delirium and hallucinations. Which medication should the provider
administer? - ANSWER: Physostigmine
Physostigmine is the drug of choice for treating poisoning from atropine
and other drugs that cause muscarinic blockade. Donepezil is used to treat
Alzheimer disease. Edrophonium is used to distinguish between a
myasthenic crisis and a cholinesterase inhibitor overdose. Neostigmine
, 2
does not cross the blood-brain barrier and would not effectively treat this
patient's central nervous system (CNS) symptoms.
A patient brought to the emergency department requires sutures. The
prescriber orders a local anesthetic with epinephrine.
The epinephrine is ordered to ___________. - ANSWER: allow a reduced dose of
the anesthetic
Epinephrine prolongs absorption of the anesthetic because it is an alpha1
agonist. It is frequently combined with a local anesthetic for this purpose so
the amount of anesthetic required may be reduced. Local anesthetics do not
induce hypertension; therefore, epinephrine would not be needed to
prevent it. Epinephrine does not act as an antiemetic and would not reduce
anesthetic-induced nausea. Epinephrine is not used to reduce the pain of an
injection.
A patient has been diagnosed with Parkinson disease (PD) and begins
treatment with carbidopa. After several months of therapy, the patient
reports no change in symptoms.
As the provider, you should do which of the following? - ANSWER: Increase
the dose of carbidopa
Discuss the "on-off" phenomenon
Reevaluate the diagnosis
NO Add a dopamine agonist
Incorrect. Adding a dopamine agonist is not indicated.
A patient who is taking oral contraceptives begins taking valproic acid for
seizures. After a week of therapy with valproic acid, the patient tells the
nurse that she is experiencing nausea.
What should the nurse do? - ANSWER: Ask the patient if she is taking the
valproic acid with food because taking the drug on an empty stomach can cause
gastrointestinal side effects
, 3
Gastrointestinal effects, including nausea, vomiting, and indigestion, are
common with valproic acid and can be minimized by taking the drug with
food or using an enteric-coated product. Hyperammonemia can occur when
valproic acid is combined with topiramate. Signs of pregnancy usually do
not occur within a week, so this is less likely. Hepatotoxicity is a rare
adverse effect.
A patient with cerebral palsy who has been receiving baclofen via
gastrostomy tube for three months is admitted to the hospital for
evaluation of new-onset seizures.
What might you suspect to be the cause of these seizures? - ANSWER:
Missed doses of baclofen
Baclofen does not appear to cause physical dependence, but abrupt
discontinuation has been associated with adverse reactions. Abrupt
withdrawal of oral baclofen can cause visual hallucinations, paranoid
ideation, and seizures and should be considered when a patient develops
these symptoms. Seizures are not a symptom of baclofen toxicity.
A nurse is preparing a patient to go home from the emergency department
after receiving sutures for a laceration on one hand. The provider used
lidocaine with epinephrine as a local anesthetic.
Which symptom in this patient causes the most concern? - ANSWER:
Nervousness and tachycardia
Absorption of the vasoconstrictor can cause systemic effects, including
nervousness and tachycardia. If severe, alpha- and beta-adrenergic
antagonists can be given. Local anesthetics are nonselective modifiers of
neuronal function and can block motor neurons, so it is expected that
patients may have difficulty with movement. The sensation of pressure also
is affected and is an expected effect. As the local anesthetic wears off, the
sensation of pain will return.
A patient who has recurrent migraine headaches is prescribed
sumatriptan. Which aspect of this patient's history is of concern when
taking this drug? - ANSWER: Coronary artery disease
Adverse events include coronary vasospasm.
, 4
There is no contraindication for asthma, diabetes, or renal disease.
A patient who has been taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) for
depression for several months tells the provider that the medication has
not helped with symptoms. You plan to switch the patient to an SSRI.
What should you instruct the nurse to teach this patient? - ANSWER: "Stop
taking the MAOI two weeks before starting the SSRI."
MAOIs increase serotonin receptor (5-HT) availability, thus greatly
increasing the risk of serotonin syndrome. MAOIs should be withdrawn at
least 14 days before an SSRI is started. An SSRI should never be given at the
same time as an MAOI. It is not necessary to wait five weeks before starting
an SSRI.
A patient is admitted to a hospital for treatment for first-time symptoms of
mania and is exhibiting euphoric mania.
Which medication should you order? - ANSWER: Lithium
In almost all cases of mania, divalproex sodium is the drug of choice, except
for euphoric mania symptoms. Lithium is used to treat euphoric mania.
Olanzapine and risperidone are used to treat other symptoms that are
associated with borderline personality disorder (BPD).
A patient is brought to the emergency department with shortness of breath,
a respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute, intercostal retractions, and
frothy, pink sputum.
Which drug should the provider administer for this patient? - ANSWER:
Furosemide
Furosemide, a potent diuretic, is used when rapid or massive mobilization
of fluids is needed. This patient shows severe signs of congestive heart
failure with respiratory distress and pulmonary edema and needs
immediate mobilization of fluid. Hydrochlorothiazide and spironolactone
are not indicated for pulmonary edema because their diuretic effects are
less rapid. Mannitol is indicated for patients with increased intracranial
pressure and must be discontinued immediately if signs of pulmonary
congestion or heart failure occur.
WGU D116 ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT EXAM 2026
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
An advanced practice registered nurse has diagnosed a 44-year-old male
with depression. A plan is developed to start treatment with medication.
The patient has a history of sexual dysfunction and is concerned about
taking medication that may worsen this condition.
Which antidepressant has the benefit of enhancing libido? - ANSWER:
Bupropion
Bupropion does not cause sexual dysfunction. This will help the patient
with a history of sexual dysfunction. This will enhance the patient's libido,
which will help with both depression and sexual dysfunction.
A patient is wheezing and short of breath. The nurse assesses a heart rate of
88 beats per minute, a respiratory rate of 24 breaths per minute, and a
blood pressure of 124/78 mm Hg. The prescriber orders a nonspecific beta-
agonist medication.
Besides evaluating the patient for a reduction in respiratory distress, the
nurse should monitor for which side effect? - ANSWER: Tachycardia
Beta-agonists are used for asthma because of their beta2 effects on
bronchial smooth muscle, causing dilation. Beta1 effects cause tachycardia
and hypertension. Beta receptors do not exert effects on the bladder.
A patient is experiencing toxic side effects from atropine, including
delirium and hallucinations. Which medication should the provider
administer? - ANSWER: Physostigmine
Physostigmine is the drug of choice for treating poisoning from atropine
and other drugs that cause muscarinic blockade. Donepezil is used to treat
Alzheimer disease. Edrophonium is used to distinguish between a
myasthenic crisis and a cholinesterase inhibitor overdose. Neostigmine
, 2
does not cross the blood-brain barrier and would not effectively treat this
patient's central nervous system (CNS) symptoms.
A patient brought to the emergency department requires sutures. The
prescriber orders a local anesthetic with epinephrine.
The epinephrine is ordered to ___________. - ANSWER: allow a reduced dose of
the anesthetic
Epinephrine prolongs absorption of the anesthetic because it is an alpha1
agonist. It is frequently combined with a local anesthetic for this purpose so
the amount of anesthetic required may be reduced. Local anesthetics do not
induce hypertension; therefore, epinephrine would not be needed to
prevent it. Epinephrine does not act as an antiemetic and would not reduce
anesthetic-induced nausea. Epinephrine is not used to reduce the pain of an
injection.
A patient has been diagnosed with Parkinson disease (PD) and begins
treatment with carbidopa. After several months of therapy, the patient
reports no change in symptoms.
As the provider, you should do which of the following? - ANSWER: Increase
the dose of carbidopa
Discuss the "on-off" phenomenon
Reevaluate the diagnosis
NO Add a dopamine agonist
Incorrect. Adding a dopamine agonist is not indicated.
A patient who is taking oral contraceptives begins taking valproic acid for
seizures. After a week of therapy with valproic acid, the patient tells the
nurse that she is experiencing nausea.
What should the nurse do? - ANSWER: Ask the patient if she is taking the
valproic acid with food because taking the drug on an empty stomach can cause
gastrointestinal side effects
, 3
Gastrointestinal effects, including nausea, vomiting, and indigestion, are
common with valproic acid and can be minimized by taking the drug with
food or using an enteric-coated product. Hyperammonemia can occur when
valproic acid is combined with topiramate. Signs of pregnancy usually do
not occur within a week, so this is less likely. Hepatotoxicity is a rare
adverse effect.
A patient with cerebral palsy who has been receiving baclofen via
gastrostomy tube for three months is admitted to the hospital for
evaluation of new-onset seizures.
What might you suspect to be the cause of these seizures? - ANSWER:
Missed doses of baclofen
Baclofen does not appear to cause physical dependence, but abrupt
discontinuation has been associated with adverse reactions. Abrupt
withdrawal of oral baclofen can cause visual hallucinations, paranoid
ideation, and seizures and should be considered when a patient develops
these symptoms. Seizures are not a symptom of baclofen toxicity.
A nurse is preparing a patient to go home from the emergency department
after receiving sutures for a laceration on one hand. The provider used
lidocaine with epinephrine as a local anesthetic.
Which symptom in this patient causes the most concern? - ANSWER:
Nervousness and tachycardia
Absorption of the vasoconstrictor can cause systemic effects, including
nervousness and tachycardia. If severe, alpha- and beta-adrenergic
antagonists can be given. Local anesthetics are nonselective modifiers of
neuronal function and can block motor neurons, so it is expected that
patients may have difficulty with movement. The sensation of pressure also
is affected and is an expected effect. As the local anesthetic wears off, the
sensation of pain will return.
A patient who has recurrent migraine headaches is prescribed
sumatriptan. Which aspect of this patient's history is of concern when
taking this drug? - ANSWER: Coronary artery disease
Adverse events include coronary vasospasm.
, 4
There is no contraindication for asthma, diabetes, or renal disease.
A patient who has been taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) for
depression for several months tells the provider that the medication has
not helped with symptoms. You plan to switch the patient to an SSRI.
What should you instruct the nurse to teach this patient? - ANSWER: "Stop
taking the MAOI two weeks before starting the SSRI."
MAOIs increase serotonin receptor (5-HT) availability, thus greatly
increasing the risk of serotonin syndrome. MAOIs should be withdrawn at
least 14 days before an SSRI is started. An SSRI should never be given at the
same time as an MAOI. It is not necessary to wait five weeks before starting
an SSRI.
A patient is admitted to a hospital for treatment for first-time symptoms of
mania and is exhibiting euphoric mania.
Which medication should you order? - ANSWER: Lithium
In almost all cases of mania, divalproex sodium is the drug of choice, except
for euphoric mania symptoms. Lithium is used to treat euphoric mania.
Olanzapine and risperidone are used to treat other symptoms that are
associated with borderline personality disorder (BPD).
A patient is brought to the emergency department with shortness of breath,
a respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute, intercostal retractions, and
frothy, pink sputum.
Which drug should the provider administer for this patient? - ANSWER:
Furosemide
Furosemide, a potent diuretic, is used when rapid or massive mobilization
of fluids is needed. This patient shows severe signs of congestive heart
failure with respiratory distress and pulmonary edema and needs
immediate mobilization of fluid. Hydrochlorothiazide and spironolactone
are not indicated for pulmonary edema because their diuretic effects are
less rapid. Mannitol is indicated for patients with increased intracranial
pressure and must be discontinued immediately if signs of pulmonary
congestion or heart failure occur.
