NUR 2407 PHARMACOLOGY QUIZ 2
COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient experiencing an acute anaphylactic reaction is administered epinephrine. Which
physiological response should the nurse monitor for as a therapeutic effect?
A. Bronchodilation and increased blood pressure
B. Vasodilation and decreased blood pressure
C. Bronchoconstriction and bradycardia
D. Decreased heart rate and increased gastrointestinal motility
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Epinephrine is a non-selective adrenergic agonist that
stimulates Alpha-1 (vasoconstriction/increased BP), Beta-1 (increased HR), and Beta-2
(bronchodilation) receptors, making it the drug of choice for anaphylaxis.
2. A client is prescribed bethanechol for postoperative urinary retention. Which assessment
finding would be a contraindication for this medication?
A. Hypotension
,B. Tachycardia
C. Asthma
D. Constipation
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Bethanechol is a cholinergic agonist. Cholinergic drugs cause
bronchoconstriction; therefore, they are contraindicated in patients with asthma or COPD.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer atropine to a patient with symptomatic bradycardia.
Which side effect should the nurse anticipate?
A. Increased salivation
B. Urinary frequency
C. Dry mouth
D. Diarrhea
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Atropine is an anticholinergic. Common side effects include the
‘can’t see, can’t spit, can’t pee, can’t poop’ effects, such as dry mouth (xerostomia).
4. A patient with a history of asthma is prescribed albuterol for acute shortness of breath. The
nurse knows that albuterol acts primarily on which receptors?
A. Alpha-1 receptors
B. Beta-1 receptors
, C. Muscarinic receptors
D. Beta-2 receptors
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Albuterol is a selective Beta-2 agonist that causes
bronchodilation by relaxing bronchial smooth muscle.
5. The nurse is educating a patient on the use of a tiotropium HandiHaler. Which instruction is
correct?
A. Swallow the capsule with a glass of water.
B. Use this medication only when you feel an acute asthma attack starting.
C. Place the capsule in the chamber and pierce it before inhaling.
D. Rinse your mouth with water immediately before use.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Tiotropium is a long-acting anticholinergic for COPD. The
capsules must be placed in the inhaler device and pierced; they should never be swallowed.
6. A patient is prescribed montelukast. When should the nurse instruct the patient to take
this medication for maximum effectiveness in asthma management?
A. 30 minutes before exercise
B. In the evening
C. In the morning before breakfast
COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient experiencing an acute anaphylactic reaction is administered epinephrine. Which
physiological response should the nurse monitor for as a therapeutic effect?
A. Bronchodilation and increased blood pressure
B. Vasodilation and decreased blood pressure
C. Bronchoconstriction and bradycardia
D. Decreased heart rate and increased gastrointestinal motility
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Epinephrine is a non-selective adrenergic agonist that
stimulates Alpha-1 (vasoconstriction/increased BP), Beta-1 (increased HR), and Beta-2
(bronchodilation) receptors, making it the drug of choice for anaphylaxis.
2. A client is prescribed bethanechol for postoperative urinary retention. Which assessment
finding would be a contraindication for this medication?
A. Hypotension
,B. Tachycardia
C. Asthma
D. Constipation
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Bethanechol is a cholinergic agonist. Cholinergic drugs cause
bronchoconstriction; therefore, they are contraindicated in patients with asthma or COPD.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer atropine to a patient with symptomatic bradycardia.
Which side effect should the nurse anticipate?
A. Increased salivation
B. Urinary frequency
C. Dry mouth
D. Diarrhea
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Atropine is an anticholinergic. Common side effects include the
‘can’t see, can’t spit, can’t pee, can’t poop’ effects, such as dry mouth (xerostomia).
4. A patient with a history of asthma is prescribed albuterol for acute shortness of breath. The
nurse knows that albuterol acts primarily on which receptors?
A. Alpha-1 receptors
B. Beta-1 receptors
, C. Muscarinic receptors
D. Beta-2 receptors
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Albuterol is a selective Beta-2 agonist that causes
bronchodilation by relaxing bronchial smooth muscle.
5. The nurse is educating a patient on the use of a tiotropium HandiHaler. Which instruction is
correct?
A. Swallow the capsule with a glass of water.
B. Use this medication only when you feel an acute asthma attack starting.
C. Place the capsule in the chamber and pierce it before inhaling.
D. Rinse your mouth with water immediately before use.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Tiotropium is a long-acting anticholinergic for COPD. The
capsules must be placed in the inhaler device and pierced; they should never be swallowed.
6. A patient is prescribed montelukast. When should the nurse instruct the patient to take
this medication for maximum effectiveness in asthma management?
A. 30 minutes before exercise
B. In the evening
C. In the morning before breakfast
