Question 1

Elle is given medication prior to surgery to dry up her secretions.This drug is likely to be a(n) .

Accepted Answer

Anticholinergics are drugs that block the actions of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is involved in many bodily functions including secretion. Therefore, by blocking acetylcholine, the drug is likely to dry up Elle's secretions prior to surgery.

Question 2

If a patient takes a prototype antihypertensive that works via actions on the autonomic nervous system,what drug is he likely to be taking?

Accepted Answer

Propranolol is a prototype beta-blocker drug that works by blocking the effects of the sympathetic nervous system on the heart and blood vessels, leading to decreased heart rate and decreased blood pressure. Therefore, it is an antihypertensive drug that works via actions on the autonomic nervous system. Pilocarpine and bethanechol are cholinergic drugs that work by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system, leading to decreased heart rate but increased gastrointestinal and urinary activities. Ephedrine is a sympathomimetic drug that works by stimulating the sympathetic nervous system, leading to increased heart rate and blood pressure.

Question 3

Leslie takes medication for hypertension.What category of medication has he likely been prescribed?

Accepted Answer

Beta blockers are commonly prescribed for the treatment of hypertension. They work by blocking certain hormones (such as adrenaline) from binding to beta receptors in the body, which can decrease heart rate and lower blood pressure. Anticholinergics and cholinergic blockers are typically used for other conditions, such as Parkinson's disease or irritable bowel syndrome. Adrenergic medications, while they may also affect blood pressure, are not typically used as first-line treatments for hypertension.

Question 4

Neostigmine is a(n) .

Accepted Answer

Neostigmine is a cholinergic drug that works by inhibiting the activity of acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme that breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. This leads to increased levels of acetylcholine in the body, which can improve muscle function and decrease symptoms of myasthenia gravis.

Question 5

Following a serious automobile accident,Salvador arrived at the hospital in shock.What type of drug would he most likely be given?

Accepted Answer

Adrenergic drugs are used in the treatment of shock as they stimulate the sympathetic nervous system and increase blood pressure and heart rate. This can help improve perfusion and oxygenation of vital organs, including the brain. Cholinergic and cholinergic blocker drugs, on the other hand, have the opposite effect and could lower blood pressure, which could be detrimental in a patient with shock. Adrenergic blocker drugs are not typically used in the acute management of shock.

Question 6

You are taking an upcoming trip to Asia.Because you typically have motion sickness on long flights,you "get the patch." What drug is likely to be in the patch?

Accepted Answer

Scopolamine is a drug commonly used as a patch for motion sickness on long flights. Atropine is not used for motion sickness and can actually exacerbate the symptoms. Fentanyl is a powerful opioid used for pain management, not motion sickness. Estrogen is not used for motion sickness either.

Question 7

Kirk has myasthenia gravis,a disease characterized by fluctuating weakness of voluntary muscles.If he is treated with a drug that acts via the autonomic nervous system,what drug will he likely receive?

Accepted Answer

Pyridostigmine is a drug used to treat myasthenia gravis. It works by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, thereby increasing the amount of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, which helps improve muscle strength in patients with this condition.

Question 8

Evie suffers from severe migraines.What category of medications would be most likely to be used to treat her migraines?

Accepted Answer

Beta blockers are commonly used to prevent migraines by blocking the effects of adrenaline and stress hormones on the body, which can trigger migraines.

Question 9

Edward has been given medication to dilate his pupils for a medical procedure.To what category is this drug likely to belong?

Accepted Answer

Dilating the pupils requires blocking the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for constriction of the pupils. Anticholinergics are drugs that block the action of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that activates the parasympathetic nervous system. Therefore, the medication given to Edward is likely an anticholinergic.

Question 10

Isabella carries an Epi-Pen at all times.She most likely carries it because she has .

Accepted Answer

An Epi-Pen is typically carried by individuals with severe allergies that may cause anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.

Question 11

Atropine is a(n) .

Accepted Answer

Atropine is an anticholinergic drug that blocks the action of acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors, causing an increase in heart rate, dilated pupils, and decreased secretions. It is commonly used in the treatment of bradycardia (slow heart rate), as well as in anesthesia to reduce secretion production and prevent vagal reflexes.

Question 12

You are incredibly excited about an upcoming trip to Asia,but are dreading the lengthy flight because you suffer from terrible motion sickness.A friend suggests that you "get the patch" to prevent motion sickness.What category drug is likely to be in the patch?

Accepted Answer

The drug likely to be in the patch is an anticholinergic, which works by inhibiting the activity of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in nausea and vomiting. This type of drug is commonly used to treat motion sickness.

Question 13

Payton is being treated for throat cancer and,as a result of the radiation he is receiving,often has a very dry mouth.What category of drug might prescribed to treat this condition?

Accepted Answer

Cholinergic drugs can stimulate the secretion of saliva, which can help alleviate the dry mouth (xerostomia) often experienced by patients undergoing radiation therapy for cancer.

Question 14

You are quite nervous about traveling with your friend,Isabella,who must have an Epi-Pen for use in medical emergencies.You ask her for a mock demonstration on how to use it should you be required to do so.Isabella shows you how to .

Accepted Answer

The most common way to administer an Epi-Pen is through injection, so it's important to know how to do it correctly in case of an emergency. Option A, placing it under the tongue, and option D, squirting it down the throat, are not recommended methods for using an Epi-Pen. Option B, dissolving it for administration, is also not a recommended method for an Epi-Pen.

Question 15

Kirk has myasthenia gravis,a disease characterized by fluctuating weakness of voluntary muscles.If he is treated with a drug that acts via the autonomic nervous system,what category of drug is he likely to receive?

Accepted Answer

Myasthenia gravis is caused by a reduction in acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junctions. Therefore, the drug used to treat it needs to increase acetylcholine levels. Cholinergic drugs stimulate the release or mimic the action of acetylcholine, making them the likely choice for treatment. Cholinergic blockers (A) and adrenergic drugs (B and D) would be counterproductive in this case.

Question 16

Hadley has a terrible nose bleed and her father takes her to the urgent care center.While there,she is administered an adrenergic drug.Adrenergics may be used to treat persistent severe nose bleeds because they .

Accepted Answer

Adrenergic drugs work by stimulating the sympathetic nervous system, which causes vasoconstriction, or narrowing of blood vessels. This can help to reduce the blood flow and stop the nose bleed. Therefore, the correct answer is B - constrict capillaries.

Question 17

Propranolol is a(n) .

Accepted Answer

Propranolol is a beta blocker, which means it blocks the effects of beta-adrenergic receptors in the sympathetic nervous system. This results in a decreased heart rate, reduced blood pressure, and decreased oxygen demand in the heart. Propranolol is often used to treat high blood pressure, angina, and certain heart conditions.

Question 18

Payton is being treated for throat cancer and as a result of the radiation she is receiving,often has a very dry mouth.What drug might she be prescribed to treat this condition?

Accepted Answer

Pilocarpine is a medication that stimulates the salivary glands to produce more saliva, thereby relieving dry mouth. It is often used to treat dry mouth caused by radiation therapy. Pyridostigmine, bethanechol, and neostigmine are all medications used to treat myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular disorder, and are not indicated for dry mouth.

Question 19

Yestin has open angle glaucoma,a disease in which the eye's drainage system becomes clogged,and,as a result,pressure builds up in the eye,damaging the optic nerve and leading to blindness.What drug might Yestin be prescribed to treat this condition and save his vision?

Accepted Answer

Pilocarpine is a drug used to treat open-angle glaucoma by stimulating the contraction of the eye's muscles and increasing the outflow of fluid from the eye. This helps to reduce the pressure build-up and preserve the optic nerve, thereby preventing blindness. The other options listed (pyridostigmine, bethanechol, and neostigmine) are not commonly used to treat glaucoma and do not have the same mechanism of action as pilocarpine.

Question 20

Epinephrine is a(n) .

Accepted Answer

Epinephrine is an adrenergic agent, as it activates and stimulates the sympathetic nervous system by binding to and activating adrenergic receptors. It is also known as adrenaline and is commonly used in emergency situations, such as anaphylaxis, to increase heart rate and blood pressure.

Quiz 13: Autonomic Nervous System Drugs