Deck 6: Drugs Affecting the Sympathetic Nervous System

Question 1

Identify the symptom(s) associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia in males.

A) Enlargement of the prostate gland
B) Decreased urine flow
C) Increased constriction of the smooth muscle of the ureter
D) All of these are correct.

Answer 1

All of these are correct.

Question 2

Using critical thinking,select the underlying effect that results from taking propranolol,a beta-blocking drug that directly decreases heart rate,force of contraction,and conduction velocity of the heart.

A) Increase in oxygen consumption by the body
B) Decrease in oxygen consumption by the body
C) Decrease in drug metabolism by the liver
D) None of these are correct.

Answer 2

Decrease in oxygen consumption by the body

Question 3

Identify the physical effects of anaphylaxis caused by insect stings,drugs,or other allergens.

A) Difficulty breathing, decreased blood pressure, and symptoms of shock
B) Difficulty breathing, increased blood pressure, and symptoms of shock
C) Difficulty breathing, normal blood pressure, and symptoms of shock
D) Normal breathing, increased blood pressure, and symptoms of shock

Answer 3

Difficulty breathing, decreased blood pressure, and symptoms of shock

Question 4

What is the primary reason that alpha-blockers are used to treat Raynaud's disease?

A) Vasoconstriction increases blood flow to the skin and extremities.
B) Vasodilation lowers blood pressure.
C) Vasodilation increases blood flow to the skin and extremities.
D) None of these are correct.

Question 5

Use the low-dose range of 0.5-2 mcg/kg/min to determine the appropriate dose range of dopamine that would result in vasodilation and increased renal blood flow for a patient who weighs 132 pounds.

A) 0.3-6.2 mg/hr
B) 1-4.5 mg/hr
C) 1.8-7.2 mg/hr
D) None of these are correct.

Question 6

Use the low-dose range of 0.5-2 mcg/kg/minute to determine the appropriate dose range of dopamine that would result in vasodilation and increased renal blood flow for a patient who weighs 220 pounds.

A) 3-12 mg/hr
B) 10-15 mg/hr
C) 20-25 mg/hr
D) None of these are correct.

Question 7

Identify the type of muscles that are affected by norepinephrine.

A) Smooth and skeletal muscle
B) Skeletal and cardiac muscle
C) Smooth and cardiac muscle
D) None of these are correct.

Question 8

Analyze the major adrenergic effects of the neuronal blockers,and select the main drug effect that the neuronal blockers have on the adrenergic nerve endings.

A) Interfere with the production and release of norepinephrine
B) Lower the blood pressure
C) Decrease cardiac function
D) Decrease all sympathetic activity

Question 9

Using the Physicians' Desk Reference available in the office,you determine that reserpine,prescribed for hypertension,is rarely used today because of its side-effect profile.Side effects of reserpine include:

A) Increased salivation
B) Diarrhea
C) Bradycardia
D) All of these are correct.

Question 10

The alpha and beta agonists are also known as sympathomimetics.You can conclude that these agonists:

A) Produce effects similar to the sympathetic nervous system
B) Produce effects similar to the parasympathetic nervous system
C) Produce effects similar to the cardiovascular system
D) None of these are correct.

Question 11

Match the correct symptoms with the sympathetic signs of overdose of the adrenergic drugs.

A) Sweating and trembling
B) Chest pain and difficulty breathing
C) Increase in blood pressure
D) All of these are correct.

Question 12

Using the common dosage ranges of the beta-adrenergic blocking drugs,select the correct dosage range of propranolol (Inderal) for the treatment of angina pectoris.

A) 40-120 mg by mouth
B) 20-40 mg by mouth
C) 80-320 mg by mouth
D) None of these are correct.

Question 13

Use the moderate-dose range of 2-10 mcg/kg/min to determine the appropriate dose range of dopamine that would result in increased cardiac output for a patient who weighs 176 pounds.

A) 2.4-12 mg/hr
B) 9.6-48 mg/hr
C) 19.2-96 mg/hr
D) None of these are correct.

Question 14

Identify the primary effect that epinephrine has on the beta-2 receptors.

A) Vasodilation of skeletal muscle blood vessels.
B) Vasodilation of coronary arteries.
C) Bronchodilation of the bronchiolar smooth muscle.
D) All of these are correct.

Question 15

Use your critical-thinking skills to determine the effects of the beta-adrenergic blocking drugs on the heart.

A) Increase in heart rate, increase in the force of contractions, and increase in impulse conduction through the heart
B) Decrease in heart rate, decrease in the force of contractions, and decrease in impulse conduction through the heart
C) Decrease in heart rate, decrease in the force of contractions, and increase in impulse conduction through the heart
D) Increase in heart rate, increase in the force of contractions, and decrease in impulse conduction through the heart

Question 16

Analyze the common dosage ranges of the beta-adrenergic blocking drugs,and select the correct dosage range of atenolol (Tenormin) for treatment of hypertension and angina pectoris.

A) 50-100 mg by mouth
B) 1-3 mg by intravenous injection
C) 6.25-100 mg by mouth
D) 12.5-50 mg by mouth

Question 17

Identify the most common side effect of decongestant use.

A) Irritation of the nasal sinuses or eyes due to excessive dryness
B) Excessive secretion of mucus, causing itchy, watery eyes and runny nose
C) Headache due to increased vasoconstriction
D) None of these are correct.

Question 18

Explain the use of an EpiPen Auto-Injector.

A) The EpiPen must be carried at all times and should be administered immediately following the onset of an anaphylactic allergic reaction.
B) The EpiPen must be carried at all times and should be administered within 5 minutes of the onset of an anaphylactic allergic reaction.
C) The EpiPen must be carried at all times and should be administered within 15 minutes of the onset of an anaphylactic allergic reaction.
D) The EpiPen must be carried at all times and should be administered within 30 minutes of the onset of an anaphylactic allergic reaction.

Question 19

Esmolol is a short-acting,intravenously administered drug that is used for emergencies and has a half-life of 10 minutes.Use the definition of half-life to select the correct statement about esmolol.

A) In 10 minutes the dose of esmolol will be reduced to 50 percent of the initial dose.
B) In 10 minutes the dose of esmolol will be completely eliminated from the body.
C) In 10 minutes the dose of esmolol will be 50 percent available to exert its effect.
D) All of these are correct.

Question 20

Use your critical-thinking skills to determine the primary reason that methyldopa is classified as a false transmitter.

A) Methyldopa is converted to a neurotransmitter-like substance while also reducing neuronal activity.
B) Methyldopa is converted to alpha-methylnorepinephrine in the adrenergic nerve endings.
C) Methyldopa interferes with the production of norepinephrine in the nerve endings.
D) All of these are correct.

Question 21

Differentiate between the beta-1 receptors and the beta-2 receptors to select the primary effects of stimulation by epinephrine on the beta-1 receptors.

A) Increase of heart rate and increase in the force of cardiac contractions
B) Decrease of heart rate and decrease in the force of cardiac contractions
C) Increase of heart rate and no significant change in cardiac contractions
D) Decrease of heart rate and no significant change in cardiac contractions

Question 22

Analyze the common dosage ranges of the alpha-adrenergic blocking drugs,and select the correct dosage range of tamsulosin (Flomax) for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia in males.

A) 0.4-0.8 mg by mouth
B) 1-5 mg by mouth
C) 10 mg by mouth
D) 1-8 mg by mouth

Question 23

Select the primary clinical use of the alpha-adrenergic blockers alfuzosin,tamsulosin,terazosin,and doxazosin.

A) Benign prostatic hyperplasia
B) Pheochromocytoma
C) Hypotension
D) Excessive production of epinephrine

Question 24

Differentiate between the drug effects of the nonselective and selective beta-1 blockers,and select the major pharmacokinetic differences that exist between the two that can alter the therapeutic response.

A) Duration of action and extent of drug metabolism
B) Onset of action and extent of drug metabolism
C) Duration of action and extent of drug excretion
D) Onset of action and extent of drug absorption

Question 25

Infiltration by alpha drugs during IV administration can lead to necrosis and gangrene of the skin cells.Select the reason that this occurs.

A) Vasodilation leads to increased blood flow.
B) Vasoconstriction leads to decreased blood flow.
C) Vasodilation leads to decreased blood flow.
D) Vasoconstriction leads to increased blood flow.

Question 26

Select the correct treatment outcome associated with the use of IV dobutamine,a drug that is similar to dopamine but has greater beta-1 effects.

A) Bronchodilation
B) Acute allergy/asthma
C) Acute heart failure
D) Vasoconstriction

Question 27

Analyze the drugs in each group below,and select the group of drugs that are available as both a nasal spray and ophthalmic drops primarily for use as a decongestant.

A) Naphazoline and tetrahydrozoline
B) Naphazoline and xylometazoline
C) Phenylephrine and tetrahydrozoline
D) None of these are correct.

Question 28

Select the group of beta-adrenergic drugs that can be inhaled via a nebulizer in order to open the respiratory airway.

A) Isoetharine and salmeterol
B) Salmeterol and terbutaline
C) Isoetharine and levalbuterol
D) Levalbuterol and terbutaline

Question 29

Analyze the drugs in each group below,and select the group of drugs that are administered by parenteral injection and used to elevate blood pressure.

A) Midodrine, norepinephrine, and phenylephrine
B) Xylometazoline, midodrine, and phenylephrine
C) Metaraminol, norepinephrine, and phenylephrine
D) Pseudoephedrine, midodrine, and phenylephrine

Question 30

Analyze the major adrenergic effects of the alpha drug class,and select the main drug effect that the alpha drugs have on the alpha-2 receptor site.

A) Negative feedback effect to decrease the release of epinephrine.
B) Negative feedback effect to decrease the release of norepinephrine.
C) Vasoconstriction of the smooth muscle.
D) None of these are correct.