Deck 13: Drugs Affecting the Autonomic Nervous System

Question 1

What is the primary response to alpha-1 receptor stimulation?

A) Bronchodilation
B) Tachycardia
C) Vasoconstriction
D) Uterine relaxation

Answer 1

Vasoconstriction

Question 2

Which condition would alert the nurse of the need to use beta-adrenergic blockers cautiously?

A) Hypertension
B) Raynaud's phenomenon
C) Emphysema
D) Cardiac dysrhythmias

Answer 2

Emphysema

Question 3

Which instructions given by the nurse will assist a patient to cope with the common adverse effects of anticholinergic medications? (Select all that apply.)

A) "Take the medication with meals."
B) "Increase fluids daily."
C) "Decrease fiber in the diet."
D) "Suck on candy or ice chips."
E) "Monitor blood sugars."

Answer 3

"Increase fluids daily."
"Suck on candy or ice chips."

Question 4

Prior to the administration of metoprolol, a beta-adrenergic blocking agent, which is most important for the nurse to assess?

A) Blood pressure
B) Lung sounds
C) Mental status
D) Urine output

Question 5

A patient with Parkinson's disease asks the nurse why anticholinergics are used in the treatment. Which response by the nurse is most accurate?

A) "These drugs help you urinate."
B) "These drugs will decrease your eye pressure."
C) "These drugs inhibit the action of acetylcholine."
D) "These drugs will assist in lowering your heart rate."

Question 6

An older adult patient is to receive atenolol, a beta-adrenergic blocking agent. Prior to administration of the drug, the nurse assesses an apical pulse rate of 58 and notes ankle edema. Which action will the nurse take first?

A) Determine the therapeutic blood level.
B) Encourage the patient to decrease water intake.
C) Elevate the patient's legs.
D) Withhold the medication.

Question 7

Which category of medications is used for peripheral vascular diseases characterized by excessive vasoconstriction, such as Raynaud's disease?

A) Adrenergic agents
B) Alpha-adrenergic blocking agents
C) Beta-adrenergic blocking agents
D) Cholinergic agents

Question 8

Which statements are true about efferent nerves? (Select all that apply.)

A) They transmit signals to the spinal cord and brain.
B) They leave the CNS to carry impulses to other body parts.
C) They are part of the peripheral nervous system.
D) They transmit signals that control contractions of smooth and skeletal muscle.
E) They transmit signals that control contractions of some glandular secretions.

Question 9

A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) reports having insomnia and a racing heart after starting terbutaline therapy. Which explanation by the nurse is most accurate?

A) "The symptoms are usual and indicate that the medication is at a therapeutic level."
B) "The symptoms will tend to resolve with continued therapy."
C) "The symptoms are unusual and need to be reported to the health care provider immediately."
D) "The symptoms are indicative of toxicity."

Question 10

A patient with a history of type 1 diabetes after myocardial infarction has been placed on a beta-adrenergic blocking agent. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?

A) "This medication should not be discontinued suddenly."
B) "This medication lowers my blood pressure by helping me get rid of fluid."
C) "I may not have my usual symptoms of a hypoglycemic reaction while on this drug."
D) "This medication may take a few weeks to work."

Question 11

The autonomic nervous system can be subdivided into which types of adrenergic receptors?

A) Nicotinic and muscarinic
B) Afferent and efferent
C) Alpha and beta
D) Agonists and antagonists

Question 12

Which adverse effects are common when a patient is receiving a cholinergic agent? (Select all that apply.)

A) Nausea
B) Hypertension
C) Dizziness
D) Bradycardia
E) Constipation

Question 13

Why are beta blockers used cautiously in patients with respiratory conditions?

A) They mask the signs and symptoms of acute hypoglycemia.
B) They cause extensive vasodilation and cardiac overload.
C) They may produce severe bronchoconstriction.
D) They increase hypertensive episodes.

Question 14

A patient is being discharged on an adrenergic bronchodilator. Which common adverse effects will the nurse include in discharge teaching? (Select all that apply.)

A) Palpitations
B) Dizziness
C) Orthostatic hypotension
D) Hypoglycemia
E) Tremors
F) Bradycardia

Question 15

Which are indications for the use of anticholinergic agents? (Select all that apply.)

A) Glaucoma
B) Benign prostatic hypertrophy
C) Bradycardia
D) Parkinson's disease
E) Preparation for surgery
F) Stimulation of the vagus nerve

Question 16

Before the initiation of anticholinergic medications, it is important for the nurse to screen patients for which condition?

A) Hypertension
B) Infectious diseases
C) Diabetes
D) Closed-angle glaucoma.

Question 17

Which are examples of neurotransmitters? (Select all that apply.)

A) Gamma amino-butyric acid
B) Acetylcholine
C) Serotonin
D) Glucose
E) Histamine
F) Epinephrine

Question 18

Which nerve endings liberate norepinephrine?

A) Cholinergic
B) Adrenergic
C) Anticholinergic
D) Muscarinic

Question 19

Which body functions are controlled by the autonomic nervous system? (Select all that apply.)

A) Blood pressure
B) Skeletal muscle contraction
C) GI secretion
D) Body temperature
E) Urination