NUR 378 Autonomic Pharmacology Q&A Bank 2026 | Exam
Success Guide | Graded A+
1. Which receptors are primarily affected by cholinergic drugs at recommended
dosages?
Muscarinic receptors
Nicotinic receptors
Beta receptors
Adrenergic receptors
2. A nurse is caring for a patient who has just received phenylephrine for nasal
congestion. The patient reports feeling lightheaded and dizzy. The nurse's
initial action should be to:
Reassure the patient that these are common side effects
Administer an antihypertensive medication
Increase the phenylephrine dose
Assess the patient's blood pressure and heart rate
3. In a clinical scenario where a patient is experiencing anaphylaxis, how would
the administration of epinephrine affect the patient's autonomic nervous
system?
It would stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, causing
bronchoconstriction.
It would have no effect on the autonomic nervous system.
It would inhibit the sympathetic nervous system, causing decreased
heart rate.
, It would stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, leading to
increased heart rate and bronchodilation.
4. The primary mechanism by which aspirin exerts its effectiveness is direct
inhibition of
Leukotrienes
Cyclooxygenase
Phospholipase
Thromboxane A2
Lipoxygenase
5. Describe how a positive inotropic effect influences cardiac function.
A positive inotropic effect increases the strength of heart muscle
contractions, leading to improved cardiac output.
A positive inotropic effect decreases the heart rate, which can lead to
reduced cardiac output.
A positive inotropic effect decreases the strength of heart muscle
contractions.
A positive inotropic effect has no impact on cardiac function.
6. What physiological effects are primarily associated with beta 1 adrenergic
receptors?
Inhibit neurotransmitter release
Increase heart rate and contractility
Stimulate gastrointestinal motility
Decrease blood pressure
,7. Epinephrine is classified as a
Catecholamine
Protein
Amino Acids
Carbohydrate
8. What type of antagonist is naloxone classified as?
Adrenergic antagonist
Opioid antagonist
Cholinergic antagonist
Beta-blocker
9. The patient is receiving lithium. After increasing the dose for this patient. What
should the nurse monitor?
Monitor intake and output
Vitals signs
Do a head to toe assessment
Monitor lithium. blood levels
10. Describe the physiological effects of low-dose dopamine administration on
the renal system.
Low-dose dopamine constricts blood vessels, reducing renal blood
flow.
Low-dose dopamine primarily causes dilation of renal blood
vessels, improving renal perfusion.
, Low-dose dopamine increases heart rate and cardiac output.
Low-dose dopamine inhibits parasympathetic activity in the renal
system.
11. What is the mechanism of action for metoprolol?
Dilates peripheral arteries and veins
Inhibits the strength of the heart's contractions and rate
Inhibits the enzyme cAMP phosphodiesterase resulting in an increase
in the concentration of calcium inside the cardiac cell
Relaxes smooth vascular smooth muscle
12. The drug atropine influences the autonomic nervous system by
stimulating the release of norepinephrine.
blocking the action of acetylcholine.
blocking the action of norepinephrine.
stimulating the release of acetylcholine.
13. Describe how adrenergic drugs affect the autonomic nervous system.
Adrenergic drugs stimulate the sympathetic nervous system,
leading to increased heart rate and blood pressure.
Adrenergic drugs block all autonomic responses.
Adrenergic drugs inhibit the sympathetic nervous system, resulting in
decreased heart rate.
Adrenergic drugs enhance parasympathetic activity, causing
relaxation.
Success Guide | Graded A+
1. Which receptors are primarily affected by cholinergic drugs at recommended
dosages?
Muscarinic receptors
Nicotinic receptors
Beta receptors
Adrenergic receptors
2. A nurse is caring for a patient who has just received phenylephrine for nasal
congestion. The patient reports feeling lightheaded and dizzy. The nurse's
initial action should be to:
Reassure the patient that these are common side effects
Administer an antihypertensive medication
Increase the phenylephrine dose
Assess the patient's blood pressure and heart rate
3. In a clinical scenario where a patient is experiencing anaphylaxis, how would
the administration of epinephrine affect the patient's autonomic nervous
system?
It would stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, causing
bronchoconstriction.
It would have no effect on the autonomic nervous system.
It would inhibit the sympathetic nervous system, causing decreased
heart rate.
, It would stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, leading to
increased heart rate and bronchodilation.
4. The primary mechanism by which aspirin exerts its effectiveness is direct
inhibition of
Leukotrienes
Cyclooxygenase
Phospholipase
Thromboxane A2
Lipoxygenase
5. Describe how a positive inotropic effect influences cardiac function.
A positive inotropic effect increases the strength of heart muscle
contractions, leading to improved cardiac output.
A positive inotropic effect decreases the heart rate, which can lead to
reduced cardiac output.
A positive inotropic effect decreases the strength of heart muscle
contractions.
A positive inotropic effect has no impact on cardiac function.
6. What physiological effects are primarily associated with beta 1 adrenergic
receptors?
Inhibit neurotransmitter release
Increase heart rate and contractility
Stimulate gastrointestinal motility
Decrease blood pressure
,7. Epinephrine is classified as a
Catecholamine
Protein
Amino Acids
Carbohydrate
8. What type of antagonist is naloxone classified as?
Adrenergic antagonist
Opioid antagonist
Cholinergic antagonist
Beta-blocker
9. The patient is receiving lithium. After increasing the dose for this patient. What
should the nurse monitor?
Monitor intake and output
Vitals signs
Do a head to toe assessment
Monitor lithium. blood levels
10. Describe the physiological effects of low-dose dopamine administration on
the renal system.
Low-dose dopamine constricts blood vessels, reducing renal blood
flow.
Low-dose dopamine primarily causes dilation of renal blood
vessels, improving renal perfusion.
, Low-dose dopamine increases heart rate and cardiac output.
Low-dose dopamine inhibits parasympathetic activity in the renal
system.
11. What is the mechanism of action for metoprolol?
Dilates peripheral arteries and veins
Inhibits the strength of the heart's contractions and rate
Inhibits the enzyme cAMP phosphodiesterase resulting in an increase
in the concentration of calcium inside the cardiac cell
Relaxes smooth vascular smooth muscle
12. The drug atropine influences the autonomic nervous system by
stimulating the release of norepinephrine.
blocking the action of acetylcholine.
blocking the action of norepinephrine.
stimulating the release of acetylcholine.
13. Describe how adrenergic drugs affect the autonomic nervous system.
Adrenergic drugs stimulate the sympathetic nervous system,
leading to increased heart rate and blood pressure.
Adrenergic drugs block all autonomic responses.
Adrenergic drugs inhibit the sympathetic nervous system, resulting in
decreased heart rate.
Adrenergic drugs enhance parasympathetic activity, causing
relaxation.
