Strayer University NUR 280 Exam 2 (pdf) | 2026/2027 |
Pharmacology Q&A | Pharmacology
1. The nurse is preparing to administer a medication that acts on the
autonomic nervous system. Which statement accurately describes the
primary difference between the somatic and autonomic nervous systems?
A) The somatic nervous system is involuntary; the autonomic nervous
system is voluntary
B) The somatic nervous system controls skeletal muscle; the autonomic
nervous system controls smooth and cardiac muscle, and glands
C) The somatic nervous system uses only acetylcholine; the autonomic
nervous system uses only norepinephrine
D) The somatic nervous system has two motor neurons in its pathway; the
autonomic nervous system has one
Correct Answer: The somatic nervous system controls skeletal muscle; the
autonomic nervous system controls smooth and cardiac muscle, and glands
Rationale: The somatic nervous system innervates skeletal muscles and is
under voluntary control, while the autonomic nervous system regulates
involuntary functions of smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands. The
ANS uses both acetylcholine and norepinephrine as neurotransmitters and
typically has a two-neuron pathway.
2. A patient is experiencing a decrease in blood pressure. The baroreceptor
reflex will respond by:
A) Decreasing sympathetic outflow and increasing parasympathetic outflow
B) Increasing sympathetic outflow and decreasing parasympathetic outflow
C) Decreasing both sympathetic and parasympathetic outflow
D) Increasing both sympathetic and parasympathetic outflow
,Correct Answer: Increasing sympathetic outflow and decreasing
parasympathetic outflow
Rationale: The baroreceptor reflex is a feedback loop that maintains blood
pressure homeostasis. When blood pressure falls, baroreceptors decrease
their firing rate, leading to increased sympathetic outflow (vasoconstriction,
increased heart rate) and decreased parasympathetic outflow to restore
blood pressure.
3. Which of the following correctly describes the resting membrane potential
of a neuron?
A) The inside of the cell is positive relative to the outside
B) The inside of the cell is negative relative to the outside
C) The inside and outside of the cell have equal charge
D) The cell has no electrical charge
Correct Answer: The inside of the cell is negative relative to the outside
Rationale: The resting membrane potential is typically -70 mV, meaning the
inside of the neuron is negatively charged compared to the outside. This is
maintained by the Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase pump, which transports 3 Na⁺ out and 2 K⁺
in, creating a concentration gradient.
4. During depolarization of a neuron, which ion movement is primarily
responsible for the change in membrane potential?
A) Potassium (K⁺) moves into the cell
B) Sodium (Na⁺) moves into the cell
C) Potassium (K⁺) moves out of the cell
D) Sodium (Na⁺) moves out of the cell
,Correct Answer: Sodium (Na⁺) moves into the cell
Rationale: Depolarization occurs when voltage-gated sodium channels open,
allowing sodium ions to rapidly move into the cell. This influx of positive
charge makes the inside of the cell more positive, shifting the membrane
potential toward threshold.
5. The nurse is teaching a patient about the parasympathetic nervous
system. Which function is associated with parasympathetic stimulation?
A) Increased heart rate
B) Pupil dilation
C) Increased gastrointestinal motility
D) Bronchodilation
Correct Answer: Increased gastrointestinal motility
Rationale: The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for "rest and
digest" functions, including increased gastrointestinal motility and secretion,
decreased heart rate, pupil constriction, and bronchoconstriction. The
sympathetic system produces the opposite effects.
6. A patient is prescribed a cholinergic agonist. The nurse understands that
this medication works by:
A) Blocking the action of acetylcholine at receptor sites
B) Mimicking or enhancing the effects of acetylcholine
C) Increasing the breakdown of acetylcholine
D) Blocking the release of norepinephrine
Correct Answer: Mimicking or enhancing the effects of acetylcholine
, Rationale: Cholinergic agonists (also called cholinomimetics or
parasympathomimetics) either directly bind to and activate cholinergic
receptors (direct-acting) or indirectly increase acetylcholine availability by
inhibiting acetylcholinesterase (indirect-acting). Both mechanisms enhance
cholinergic transmission.
7. The nurse is caring for a patient receiving atropine. Which assessment
finding indicates the medication is having its desired therapeutic effect?
A) Increased heart rate
B) Decreased heart rate
C) Increased gastrointestinal motility
D) Pupil constriction
Correct Answer: Increased heart rate
Rationale: Atropine is a muscarinic antagonist (anticholinergic) that blocks
the effects of acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors. It is used to treat
bradycardia by increasing heart rate. Other effects include decreased GI
motility, pupil dilation, and decreased secretions.
8. A patient with myasthenia gravis is prescribed neostigmine. The nurse
understands that this medication works by:
A) Blocking acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction
B) Inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, increasing acetylcholine availability
C) Stimulating the release of norepinephrine
D) Blocking the reuptake of dopamine
Correct Answer: Inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, increasing acetylcholine
availability
Pharmacology Q&A | Pharmacology
1. The nurse is preparing to administer a medication that acts on the
autonomic nervous system. Which statement accurately describes the
primary difference between the somatic and autonomic nervous systems?
A) The somatic nervous system is involuntary; the autonomic nervous
system is voluntary
B) The somatic nervous system controls skeletal muscle; the autonomic
nervous system controls smooth and cardiac muscle, and glands
C) The somatic nervous system uses only acetylcholine; the autonomic
nervous system uses only norepinephrine
D) The somatic nervous system has two motor neurons in its pathway; the
autonomic nervous system has one
Correct Answer: The somatic nervous system controls skeletal muscle; the
autonomic nervous system controls smooth and cardiac muscle, and glands
Rationale: The somatic nervous system innervates skeletal muscles and is
under voluntary control, while the autonomic nervous system regulates
involuntary functions of smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands. The
ANS uses both acetylcholine and norepinephrine as neurotransmitters and
typically has a two-neuron pathway.
2. A patient is experiencing a decrease in blood pressure. The baroreceptor
reflex will respond by:
A) Decreasing sympathetic outflow and increasing parasympathetic outflow
B) Increasing sympathetic outflow and decreasing parasympathetic outflow
C) Decreasing both sympathetic and parasympathetic outflow
D) Increasing both sympathetic and parasympathetic outflow
,Correct Answer: Increasing sympathetic outflow and decreasing
parasympathetic outflow
Rationale: The baroreceptor reflex is a feedback loop that maintains blood
pressure homeostasis. When blood pressure falls, baroreceptors decrease
their firing rate, leading to increased sympathetic outflow (vasoconstriction,
increased heart rate) and decreased parasympathetic outflow to restore
blood pressure.
3. Which of the following correctly describes the resting membrane potential
of a neuron?
A) The inside of the cell is positive relative to the outside
B) The inside of the cell is negative relative to the outside
C) The inside and outside of the cell have equal charge
D) The cell has no electrical charge
Correct Answer: The inside of the cell is negative relative to the outside
Rationale: The resting membrane potential is typically -70 mV, meaning the
inside of the neuron is negatively charged compared to the outside. This is
maintained by the Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase pump, which transports 3 Na⁺ out and 2 K⁺
in, creating a concentration gradient.
4. During depolarization of a neuron, which ion movement is primarily
responsible for the change in membrane potential?
A) Potassium (K⁺) moves into the cell
B) Sodium (Na⁺) moves into the cell
C) Potassium (K⁺) moves out of the cell
D) Sodium (Na⁺) moves out of the cell
,Correct Answer: Sodium (Na⁺) moves into the cell
Rationale: Depolarization occurs when voltage-gated sodium channels open,
allowing sodium ions to rapidly move into the cell. This influx of positive
charge makes the inside of the cell more positive, shifting the membrane
potential toward threshold.
5. The nurse is teaching a patient about the parasympathetic nervous
system. Which function is associated with parasympathetic stimulation?
A) Increased heart rate
B) Pupil dilation
C) Increased gastrointestinal motility
D) Bronchodilation
Correct Answer: Increased gastrointestinal motility
Rationale: The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for "rest and
digest" functions, including increased gastrointestinal motility and secretion,
decreased heart rate, pupil constriction, and bronchoconstriction. The
sympathetic system produces the opposite effects.
6. A patient is prescribed a cholinergic agonist. The nurse understands that
this medication works by:
A) Blocking the action of acetylcholine at receptor sites
B) Mimicking or enhancing the effects of acetylcholine
C) Increasing the breakdown of acetylcholine
D) Blocking the release of norepinephrine
Correct Answer: Mimicking or enhancing the effects of acetylcholine
, Rationale: Cholinergic agonists (also called cholinomimetics or
parasympathomimetics) either directly bind to and activate cholinergic
receptors (direct-acting) or indirectly increase acetylcholine availability by
inhibiting acetylcholinesterase (indirect-acting). Both mechanisms enhance
cholinergic transmission.
7. The nurse is caring for a patient receiving atropine. Which assessment
finding indicates the medication is having its desired therapeutic effect?
A) Increased heart rate
B) Decreased heart rate
C) Increased gastrointestinal motility
D) Pupil constriction
Correct Answer: Increased heart rate
Rationale: Atropine is a muscarinic antagonist (anticholinergic) that blocks
the effects of acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors. It is used to treat
bradycardia by increasing heart rate. Other effects include decreased GI
motility, pupil dilation, and decreased secretions.
8. A patient with myasthenia gravis is prescribed neostigmine. The nurse
understands that this medication works by:
A) Blocking acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction
B) Inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, increasing acetylcholine availability
C) Stimulating the release of norepinephrine
D) Blocking the reuptake of dopamine
Correct Answer: Inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, increasing acetylcholine
availability
