Deck 13: Drugs Affecting the Autonomic Nervous System

Question 1

Which of the following would inhibit the function of the autonomic nervous system?
1)Drugs that bind and then stimulate the postsynaptic neuron
2)Drugs that prohibit neurotransmitter reuptake
3)Drugs that increase neurotransmitter synthesis
4)Drugs that prevent the storage of neurotransmitter in vesicles

Answer 1

4

Question 2

The patient receives methyldopa (Aldomet),an adrenergic drug.The nurse determines that the patient is having side effects when the patient makes which statement?
1)"Will you check my pupils? I can't see very well at all."
2)"I am so thirsty;will you please bring me another pitcher of water?"
3)"I am so anxious;I really need to walk around the room."
4)"I feel so sleepy that I don't think I can eat my dinner."

Answer 2

3

Question 3

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

Answer 3

4

Question 4

The patient is quadriplegic and receives oxybutynin (Ditropan),an anticholinergic drug,to increase his bladder capacity.What is an important assessment of this patient by the nurse?
1)Is he irritable?
2)Is he constipated?
3)Is he gaining weight?
4)Is he lethargic?

Question 5

The patient receives metaproterenol (Alupent),an adrenergic drug.A consulting physician orders carteolol (Cartrol),a beta blocker.What best describes the nurse's assessment?
1)The patient is at risk for a hypertensive crisis.
2)The effects of metaproterenol (Alupent)will be decreased.
3)The drugs are compatible;there will not be any adverse effects.
4)The effects of metaproterenol (Alupent)will be increased.

Question 6

The physician orders dicyclomine (Bentyl),an anticholinergic drug,for a patient.What is the nurse's priority assessment prior to administering this drug?
1)Does the patient have light sensitivity?
2)Is the patient able to urinate?
3)Does the patient have a history of alcoholism?
4)Is the patient dizzy upon standing?

Question 7

The nurse is preparing to administer medications to a group of patients.One of the medications is atropine,an anticholinergic drug.This drug is contraindicated in which patient?
1)The patient with glaucoma
2)The patient with hyperthyroidism
3)The patient with a hiatal hernia
4)The patient with lung cancer

Question 8

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)? Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
1)"The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord."
2)"The peripheral nervous system has mainly sensory functions."
3)"The somatic nervous system gives us voluntary control over our gastrointestinal (GI)tract."
4)"The nervous system helps us react to environmental changes."
5)"The somatic nervous system gives us voluntary control over moving."

Question 9

A person who had her adrenergic receptors activated would experience
1)fight-or-flight effects.
2)rest-and-digest effects.
3)increased blood volume.
4)bronchial constriction.

Question 10

The physician ordered prazosin (Minipress),an alpha-adrenergic blocker,for the patient.The nurse plans to do medication education.What will the best plan of the nurse include?
1)Instruct the patient to not take any OTC herbal preparations.
2)Instruct the patient to not take hot tub baths or hot showers.
3)Instruct the patient to decrease his intake of sodium.
4)Instruct the patient to wear sunglasses when outdoors.

Question 11

The nurse is preparing to administer medications to a group of patients.One of the medications is benztropine (Cogentin),an anticholinergic drug.This drug is contraindicated in which patient?
1)The patient with a fractured femur
2)The patient with tachycardia
3)The patient with an irritable colon
4)The patient with diarrhea

Question 12

The nurse has been doing medication education for the patient receiving atenolol (Tenormin),a beta blocker.The nurse determines that learning has occurred when the patient makes which statement?
1)"I need to take my pulse every day."
2)"If I have any side effects,I will stop the medication."
3)"I cannot take this drug if I develop glaucoma."
4)"I cannot continue to have my morning cup of coffee."

Question 13

The ability of a person to use his arm muscles to lift a weight is primarily regulated by
1)the somatic nervous system.
2)the sympathetic nervous system.
3)the autonomic nervous system.
4)the central nervous system.

Question 14

The preop patient will be receiving glycopyrrolate (Robinul),an anticholinergic drug,and asks the nurse,"Why do I need to have that shot?" What is the best response by the nurse?
1)"It will decrease your respiratory secretions during surgery."
2)"It will increase your urinary output during surgery."
3)"It will help you breathe better during surgery."
4)"It will help maintain your blood pressure during surgery."

Question 15

Which of the following responses are regulated by the sympathetic nervous system?
1)Increased heart rate,bronchial constriction
2)Peripheral artery dilation,reduced peristalsis
3)Increased secretions,sex organ stimulation
4)Relaxation of bladder,pupil dilation

Question 16

The physician has ordered bethanechol (Urecholine),a cholinergic drug,for the patient with urinary retention.The patient also has an enlarged prostate gland.What is the priority action by the nurse?
1)Hold the drug and prepare to catheterize the patient.
2)Administer the drug and measure urinary output.
3)Administer the drug and push fluids.
4)Hold the drug and contact the physician.

Question 17

The nurse has completed medication education about pyridostigmine (Mestinon),an indirect cholinergic drug,for the patient with myasthenia gravis.The nurse determines that learning has occurred when the patient makes which statement?
1)"I must monitor my blood pressure while on this drug."
2)"I will need to increase my fluid intake with this medication."
3)"I must take this medication with meals for proper absorption."
4)"It is really important to take my medication on time."

Question 18

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)? Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
1)"The sympathetic and parasympathetic systems are not always opposite in their effects."
2)"The parasympathetic nervous system is the "fight-or-flight" response."
3)"Sympathetic stimulation causes dilation of arterioles."
4)"The parasympathetic nervous system causes bronchial constriction."
5)"The sympathetic nervous system is activated under stress."

Question 19

Which receptor type is found at the ganglionic synapse of both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems?
1)Alpha receptors
2)Muscarinic
3)Nicotinic
4)Beta receptors

Question 20

Which statement is accurate concerning drugs classified as adrenergic antagonists?
1)They are also known as anticholinergics.
2)Their actions will block the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
3)Their actions are the opposite of those of sympathomimetics.
4)They will stimulate the sympathetic nervous system.

Question 21

A student nurse is learning about a medication that affects the autonomic nervous system.When instructing the student about the effects of this medication,the nurse will begin by explaining the basic unit of this system.What does this include? Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
1)The preganglionic neuron
2)The postganglionic neuron
3)The synaptic cleft
4)Norepinephrine
5)Dopamine

Question 22

A patient is prescribed a medication that will block muscarinic receptors.The nurse realizes that this medication has implications for which body systems? Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
1)Eyes
2)Respiratory
3)Cardiac
4)Endocrine
5)Metabolic

Question 23

The nurse is caring for a patient with multisystem organ failure.Which patient assessment findings are under the control of the sympathetic nervous system? Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
1)Blood glucose level 210 mg/dL
2)Blood pressure 180/90 mmHg
3)Total cholesterol level 300 mg/dL
4)Respiratory rate 14 and regular
5)Hyperactive bowel sounds

Question 24

The nurse knows that atropine (Atropair)increases heart rate by
1)blocking the beta receptors of the parasympathetic nervous system.
2)directly stimulating the sympathetic nervous system.
3)potentiating the effects of acetylcholine on nicotinic receptors.
4)Blocking the effects of acetylcholine by occupying muscarinic receptors.

Question 25

Which of the following statements is accurate regarding exogenous acetylcholine?
1)Acetylcholine has almost no therapeutic effects because it is rapidly destroyed once given.
2)Acetylcholine is broken down rapidly within the body,preventing it from producing adverse effects.
3)Acetylcholine will cause the heart rate to increase and blood pressure to drop.
4)When given in small amounts,acetylcholine will produce profound parasympathetic effects.

Question 26

Which patient responses are considered involuntary responses to autonomic nervous system control? Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
1)Becoming angry
2)Tripping over a chair
3)Complaining of nausea
4)Feeling depressed
5)Being happy

Question 27

A patient has sustained a large blood loss.During the assessment,the nurse realizes that which findings are under the control of the nervous system? Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
1)Heart rate
2)Blood pressure
3)Pupil size
4)Bowel sounds
5)Fluid volume