Grand Canyon University NSG-318 Exam 2 (pdf) | 2026/2027 |
Pharmacology Q&A |
1. Which of the following best describes the mechanism of action of
adrenergic agonists?
A) They block the release of norepinephrine from nerve terminals
B) They stimulate the sympathetic nervous system by activating adrenergic
receptors
C) They inhibit the breakdown of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction
D) They block the reuptake of dopamine in the central nervous system
Correct Answer: They stimulate the sympathetic nervous system by
activating adrenergic receptors
Rationale: Adrenergic agonists (sympathomimetics) stimulate the
sympathetic nervous system by activating adrenergic receptors (alpha and
beta). This results in effects such as increased heart rate, bronchodilation,
and vasoconstriction. Antagonists block these receptors, while cholinergic
drugs affect the parasympathetic system.
---
2. A patient is prescribed epinephrine for anaphylactic shock. Which receptor
action is primarily responsible for its therapeutic effect in this condition?
A) Alpha-1 receptor stimulation causing bronchodilation
B) Beta-2 receptor stimulation causing bronchodilation and vasoconstriction
C) Alpha-1 receptor stimulation causing vasoconstriction and Beta-2 causing
bronchodilation
D) Beta-1 receptor stimulation causing increased cardiac output only
,Correct Answer: Alpha-1 receptor stimulation causing vasoconstriction and
Beta-2 causing bronchodilation
Rationale: Epinephrine is a non-selective adrenergic agonist that stimulates
both alpha and beta receptors. In anaphylaxis, alpha-1 stimulation causes
vasoconstriction to reverse hypotension, while beta-2 stimulation causes
bronchodilation to relieve airway obstruction. This combined effect is life-
saving in anaphylactic shock.
---
3. A nurse is caring for a patient receiving atenolol. Which receptor does this
medication primarily block?
A) Alpha-1 receptors
B) Beta-1 receptors
C) Beta-2 receptors
D) Alpha-2 receptors
Correct Answer: Beta-1 receptors
Rationale: Atenolol is a cardioselective beta-1 adrenergic antagonist
(blocker). It primarily blocks beta-1 receptors located in the heart, reducing
cardiac contractility and heart rate. This makes it useful for treating
hypertension and angina with fewer pulmonary side effects than non-
selective beta blockers.
---
4. Which of the following is a prototype medication for a beta-2 adrenergic
agonist?
,A) Epinephrine
B) Atenolol
C) Albuterol
D) Bethanechol
Correct Answer: Albuterol
Rationale: Albuterol is the prototype beta-2 adrenergic agonist. It selectively
stimulates beta-2 receptors in the bronchial smooth muscle, causing
bronchodilation. This makes it a first-line treatment for asthma and
bronchospasm. Epinephrine is a non-selective agonist, atenolol is a beta-1
blocker, and bethanechol is a cholinergic agonist.
---
5. A patient is taking a cholinergic agonist. Which of the following effects
would the nurse expect to observe?
A) Increased heart rate and bronchodilation
B) Decreased gastrointestinal motility and pupil dilation
C) Increased salivation and bladder contraction
D) Vasoconstriction and hypertension
Correct Answer: Increased salivation and bladder contraction
Rationale: Cholinergic agonists (parasympathomimetics) stimulate the
parasympathetic nervous system. Effects include increased salivation,
increased gastrointestinal motility, bladder contraction, pupil constriction
(miosis), and decreased heart rate. These are the opposite of sympathetic
(adrenergic) effects.
, ---
6. Which of the following is the prototype anticholinergic medication?
A) Bethanechol
B) Atropine
C) Albuterol
D) Epinephrine
Correct Answer: Atropine
Rationale: Atropine is the prototype anticholinergic (cholinergic antagonist)
medication. It blocks the action of acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors,
producing effects such as increased heart rate, decreased salivation,
bronchodilation, and pupil dilation. Bethanechol is a cholinergic agonist, not
an antagonist.
---
7. A nurse is preparing to administer bethanechol to a patient with urinary
retention. Which of the following is a contraindication for this medication?
A) Hypertension
B) Asthma
C) Urinary retention
D) Glaucoma
Correct Answer: Asthma
Rationale: Bethanechol is a cholinergic agonist that stimulates the
parasympathetic system, causing bronchoconstriction. It is contraindicated in
Pharmacology Q&A |
1. Which of the following best describes the mechanism of action of
adrenergic agonists?
A) They block the release of norepinephrine from nerve terminals
B) They stimulate the sympathetic nervous system by activating adrenergic
receptors
C) They inhibit the breakdown of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction
D) They block the reuptake of dopamine in the central nervous system
Correct Answer: They stimulate the sympathetic nervous system by
activating adrenergic receptors
Rationale: Adrenergic agonists (sympathomimetics) stimulate the
sympathetic nervous system by activating adrenergic receptors (alpha and
beta). This results in effects such as increased heart rate, bronchodilation,
and vasoconstriction. Antagonists block these receptors, while cholinergic
drugs affect the parasympathetic system.
---
2. A patient is prescribed epinephrine for anaphylactic shock. Which receptor
action is primarily responsible for its therapeutic effect in this condition?
A) Alpha-1 receptor stimulation causing bronchodilation
B) Beta-2 receptor stimulation causing bronchodilation and vasoconstriction
C) Alpha-1 receptor stimulation causing vasoconstriction and Beta-2 causing
bronchodilation
D) Beta-1 receptor stimulation causing increased cardiac output only
,Correct Answer: Alpha-1 receptor stimulation causing vasoconstriction and
Beta-2 causing bronchodilation
Rationale: Epinephrine is a non-selective adrenergic agonist that stimulates
both alpha and beta receptors. In anaphylaxis, alpha-1 stimulation causes
vasoconstriction to reverse hypotension, while beta-2 stimulation causes
bronchodilation to relieve airway obstruction. This combined effect is life-
saving in anaphylactic shock.
---
3. A nurse is caring for a patient receiving atenolol. Which receptor does this
medication primarily block?
A) Alpha-1 receptors
B) Beta-1 receptors
C) Beta-2 receptors
D) Alpha-2 receptors
Correct Answer: Beta-1 receptors
Rationale: Atenolol is a cardioselective beta-1 adrenergic antagonist
(blocker). It primarily blocks beta-1 receptors located in the heart, reducing
cardiac contractility and heart rate. This makes it useful for treating
hypertension and angina with fewer pulmonary side effects than non-
selective beta blockers.
---
4. Which of the following is a prototype medication for a beta-2 adrenergic
agonist?
,A) Epinephrine
B) Atenolol
C) Albuterol
D) Bethanechol
Correct Answer: Albuterol
Rationale: Albuterol is the prototype beta-2 adrenergic agonist. It selectively
stimulates beta-2 receptors in the bronchial smooth muscle, causing
bronchodilation. This makes it a first-line treatment for asthma and
bronchospasm. Epinephrine is a non-selective agonist, atenolol is a beta-1
blocker, and bethanechol is a cholinergic agonist.
---
5. A patient is taking a cholinergic agonist. Which of the following effects
would the nurse expect to observe?
A) Increased heart rate and bronchodilation
B) Decreased gastrointestinal motility and pupil dilation
C) Increased salivation and bladder contraction
D) Vasoconstriction and hypertension
Correct Answer: Increased salivation and bladder contraction
Rationale: Cholinergic agonists (parasympathomimetics) stimulate the
parasympathetic nervous system. Effects include increased salivation,
increased gastrointestinal motility, bladder contraction, pupil constriction
(miosis), and decreased heart rate. These are the opposite of sympathetic
(adrenergic) effects.
, ---
6. Which of the following is the prototype anticholinergic medication?
A) Bethanechol
B) Atropine
C) Albuterol
D) Epinephrine
Correct Answer: Atropine
Rationale: Atropine is the prototype anticholinergic (cholinergic antagonist)
medication. It blocks the action of acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors,
producing effects such as increased heart rate, decreased salivation,
bronchodilation, and pupil dilation. Bethanechol is a cholinergic agonist, not
an antagonist.
---
7. A nurse is preparing to administer bethanechol to a patient with urinary
retention. Which of the following is a contraindication for this medication?
A) Hypertension
B) Asthma
C) Urinary retention
D) Glaucoma
Correct Answer: Asthma
Rationale: Bethanechol is a cholinergic agonist that stimulates the
parasympathetic system, causing bronchoconstriction. It is contraindicated in
