Question 1

Which body function(s)is/are controlled by the autonomic nervous system? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A,C,D,E

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Metoprolol is a beta-blocker which can lower blood pressure, so it is important for the nurse to assess the patient's blood pressure before administering the medication to ensure that the blood pressure is not too low. The other options are important to assess as well, but assessing blood pressure is the most essential prior to administering metoprolol.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Anticholinergic medications can cause dilation of the pupil and increase intraocular pressure in patients with closed-angle glaucoma. Therefore, it is important to screen patients for this condition before initiating such medications. Screening for hypertension, infectious diseases, or diabetes may be important for other reasons but is not specifically related to the initiation of anticholinergic medications.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

Beta-adrenergic blockers can cause bronchoconstriction, which can exacerbate respiratory conditions like emphysema.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which adverse effect(s)is/are common when a patient...

Question 6

The nurse is caring for a patient taking a cholinergic agent.When auscultating lung sounds,the nurse notes inspiratory and expiratory wheezing bilaterally.The best action for the nurse to take would be to:

Accepted Answer

Bilateral inspiratory and expiratory wheezing can be a sign of bronchoconstriction, a potential adverse effect of cholinergic agents. Withholding the next dose and notifying the physician is the appropriate course of action to address this potential adverse effect. Providing the next dose or repositioning the patient would not address the wheezing, and assessing heart rate and blood pressure may not be directly related to the adverse effect.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

Alpha-adrenergic blocking agents are used for peripheral vascular diseases characterized by excessive vasoconstriction, such as Raynaud's disease. They work by blocking the constriction of the smooth muscles in blood vessels, allowing for increased blood flow. Adrenergic agents and beta-adrenergic blocking agents have opposite effects and would not be used for this purpose. Cholinergic agents primarily affect the parasympathetic nervous system and are not typically used for peripheral vascular diseases characterized by excessive vasoconstriction.

Question 8

Which statement(s)is/are true about efferent nerves? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Efferent nerves are part of the peripheral nervous system and carry signals away from the central nervous system to other parts of the body. They control muscle contractions, including both smooth and skeletal muscles, as well as some glandular secretions. Therefore, options B, C, D, and E are all true statements about efferent nerves. Option A is incorrect, as afferent nerves transmit signals to the spinal cord and brain.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

The autonomic nervous system can be subdivided into two types of adrenergic receptors: alpha and beta. Nicotinic and muscarinic receptors are subdivisions of the cholinergic receptors, not adrenergic receptors. Afferent and efferent are subdivisions of the somatic nervous system, not the autonomic nervous system. Agonists and antagonists are not subdivisions of the nervous system but rather types of drug actions.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

The primary response to alpha-1-receptor stimulation is vasoconstriction. This is because activation of alpha-1 receptors on smooth muscle cells in blood vessels leads to an increase in intracellular calcium, which causes contraction of the smooth muscle and results in vasoconstriction. Alpha-1 receptor stimulation can also cause other responses, such as mydriasis (dilation of the pupil), piloerection (erection of hairs on the skin), and inhibition of gut motility.

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

Beta blockers can cause bronchoconstriction, which can worsen respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Therefore, they are used cautiously in these patients.

Question 12

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?

Accepted Answer

Atenolol is contraindicated in patients with bradycardia (heart rate less than 60 beats per minute) and can worsen symptoms of heart failure, such as ankle edema. Therefore, the nurse should withhold the medication and consult with the healthcare provider before administering the medication. Options A, B, and C are not the priority actions in this situation.

Question 13

Which nerve endings liberate norepinephrine?

Accepted Answer

Adrenergic nerve endings liberate norepinephrine.

Question 14

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?

Accepted Answer

Beta-adrenergic blocking agents lower blood pressure by decreasing heart rate and contractility, not by helping the body get rid of fluid. This statement indicates a misunderstanding of the medication's mechanism of action and requires further teaching. The other statements are correct and do not require further clarification.

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

Increasing fluids helps to prevent dehydration, which is a common side effect of anticholinergic medications. Sucking on candy or ice chips can help to relieve dry mouth, another common side effect. Taking the medication with meals may or may not be helpful, depending on the specific medication and the patient's individual response. Decreasing fiber in the diet is not a recommended intervention for coping with the adverse effects of anticholinergic medications. Monitoring blood glucose is also not directly related to the adverse effects of these medications.

Question 16

A long-term care resident is taking an anticholinergic agent.The nurse observes the resident to be disoriented and hallucinating.The priority nursing action is to:

Accepted Answer

The priority nursing action is to provide for the resident's safety. Disorientation and hallucination are side effects of anticholinergic agents. These side effects can increase confusion and pose a risk for falls or injury. The nurse should assess the resident's environment for safety hazards, provide supervision, and implement fall precautions. The other options, such as reporting to the charge nurse, assessing blood glucose, and medicating with antianxiety medication may be appropriate in certain situations, but providing for the resident's safety is the priority in this scenario.

Question 17

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?

Accepted Answer

Terbutaline, a bronchodilator, can cause side effects like insomnia and tachycardia. These symptoms often resolve as the body adjusts to the medication.

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

Anticholinergics work by inhibiting the action of acetylcholine, which can be helpful in treating the movement symptoms of Parkinson's disease. They do not affect urination, eye pressure, or heart rate.

Question 19

A patient hospitalized in an acute care setting reports to the nurse that since starting on an adrenergic medication,he has been feeling "dizzy and weak." The most appropriate action for the nurse is to:

Accepted Answer

Monitoring blood pressure in both positions can help determine if the dizziness and weakness are due to orthostatic hypotension, a common side effect of adrenergic medications.

Quiz 12: Drugs Affecting the Autonomic Nervous System

Which body function(s) is/are controlled by the autonomic nervous system? (Select all that apply.)