Deck 13: Drugs Affecting the Autonomic Nervous System

Question 1

The nurse has completed medication education about edrophonium (Tensilon), an indirect cholinergic drug, for the client with myasthenia gravis. The nurse determines that learning has occurred when the client makes which statement?

A) "I must monitor my blood pressure while on this drug."
B) "I must take this medication with meals for proper absorption."
C) "I will need to increase my fluid intake with this medication."
D) "It is really important to take my medication on time."

Answer 1

"It is really important to take my medication on time."

Question 2

The physician has ordered bethanechol (PMS -Bethanechol), a cholinergic drug, for the client with urinary retention. The client also has an enlarged prostate gland. What is the priority action by the nurse?

A) Hold the drug and contact the physician.
B) Administer the drug and measure urinary output.
C) Administer the drug and push fluids.
D) Hold the drug and prepare to catheterize the client.

Answer 2

Hold the drug and contact the physician.

Question 3

The client receives nadolol (Corgard), a nonselective beta -adrenergic blocker. What will be the priority assessment of the nurse?

A) Hypertension
B) Seizures
C) Bronchoconstriction
D) Atrial fibrillation

Answer 3

Bronchoconstriction

Question 4

The physician ordered clonidine (Catapres), an alpha -adrenergic blocker, for the client. The nurse plans to do medication education. What will the best plan of the nurse include?

A) Instruct the client to wear sunglasses when outdoors.
B) Instruct the client to not take any OTC herbal preparations.
C) Instruct the client to not take hot tub baths or hot showers.
D) Instruct the client to decrease his intake of sodium.

Question 5

The nurse is preparing to administer medications to a group of clients. One of the medications is ipratropium (Atrovent), an anticholinergic drug. This drug is contraindicated in which client?

A) the client with diarrhea
B) the client with tachycardia
C) the client with a fractured femur
D) the client with an irritable colon

Question 6

The nursing instructor teaches the student nurses about the nervous system. The instructor determines that learning has occurred when the students make which statement(s)? Select all that apply.

A) "The somatic nervous system gives us voluntary control over moving."
B) "The somatic nervous system gives us voluntary control over our gastrointestinal (GI) tract."
C) "The nervous system helps us react to environmental changes."
D) "The peripheral nervous system has mainly sensory functions."
E) "The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord."

Question 7

The nurse is preparing to administer medications to a group of clients. One of the medications is atropine, an anticholinergic drug. This drug is contraindicated in which client?

A) the client with a hiatal hernia
B) the client with hyperthyroidism
C) the client with lung cancer
D) the client with glaucoma

Question 8

The client receives Metaproterenol , an adrenergic drug. A consulting physician orders carteolol (Ocupress), a beta -blocker. What best describes the nurse's assessment?

A) The drugs are compatible; there will not be any adverse effects.
B) The effects of Metaproterenol will be decreased.
C) The client is at risk for a hypertensive crisis.
D) The effects of Metaproterenol will be increased.

Question 9

The student nurse asks the nursing instructor "Do the medications we are studying actually make more neurotransmitters"? What is the best response by the nursing instructor?

A) "No, but medications can heal diseases of the autonomic nervous system."
B) "No, medications can only increase or decrease the action of neurotransmitters."
C) "Yes, some of the newer medications are very good at doing this."
D) "Yes, but the newer drugs that do this have some serious side effects."

Question 10

The client receives pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), an adrenergic drug. The nurse determines that the client is having side effects when the client makes which statement? Select all that apply.

A) "Will you check my pupils? I can't see very well at all."
B) "I am so anxious; I really need to walk around the room."
C) "I feel so sleepy that I don't think I can eat my dinner."
D) "I am so thirsty; will you please bring me another jug of water?"

Question 11

The pre -op client will be receiving Glycopyrrolate , an anticholinergic drug, and asks the nurse "Why do I need to have that shot?" What is the best response by the nurse?

A) "It will increase your urinary output during surgery."
B) "It will help you breathe better during surgery."
C) "It will decrease your respiratory secretions during surgery."
D) "It will help maintain your blood pressure during surgery."

Question 12

The physician orders dicyclomine (Bentylol), an anticholinergic drug, for a client. What is the nurse's priority assessment prior to administering this drug?

A) Is the client able to urinate?
B) Is the client dizzy upon standing?
C) Does the client have light sensitivity?
D) Does the client have a history of alcoholism?

Question 13

The nursing instructor teaches the student nurses about the autonomic nervous system. The instructor determines that learning has occurred when the students make which statement(s)? Select all that apply.

A) "The parasympathetic nervous system is the "fight or flight" response."
B) "The sympathetic and parasympathetic systems are not always opposite in their effects."
C) "The sympathetic nervous system is activated under stress."
D) "The parasympathetic nervous system causes bronchial constriction."
E) "Sympathetic stimulation causes dilation of arterioles."

Question 14

The nurse has been doing medication education for the client receiving atenolol (Tenormin), a beta -blocker. The nurse determines that learning has occurred when the client makes which statement?

A) "I need to take my pulse every day."
B) "I cannot continue to have my morning cup of coffee."
C) "If I have any side effects, I will stop the medication."
D) "I cannot take this drug if I develop glaucoma."

Question 15

The client is quadriplegic and receives oxybutynin (Ditropan), an anticholinergic drug, to increase his bladder capacity. What is an important assessment of this client by the nurse?

A) Is he lethargic?
B) Is he constipated?
C) Is he irritable?
D) Is he gaining weight?