Arizona College of Nursing NUR 354 Pharmacology II
Exam 1: Practice Questions, Verified Answers &
Rationales
This specialized study guide features targeted practice questions, verified answers, and
comprehensive logical rationales tailored specifically for Exam 1 of Arizona College of
Nursing's NUR 354 curriculum. It emphasizes intermediate to advanced nursing
pharmacology competencies, including detailed mechanism of action breakdowns,
critical adverse event protocols, and safe medication administration calculations.
Nursing students will master high-alert medication protocols and patient-centered
monitoring parameters to ensure a passing score on their proctored nursing school
assessment.
Section 1: Autonomic Nervous System Basics (Questions 1–30)
1. The parasympathetic nervous system is also known as the:
A. "Fight or flight" system
B. "Rest and digest" system
C. Adrenergic system
D. Somatic system
Answer: B. "Rest and digest" system
Rationale: The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for rest and digest functions,
promoting digestion, relaxation, and energy conservation.
,2. The neurotransmitter released by most postganglionic parasympathetic nerve
fibers is:
A. Norepinephrine
B. Acetylcholine
C. Dopamine
D. Epinephrine
Answer: B. Acetylcholine
Rationale: Acetylcholine (ACh) is the primary neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic
nervous system, released at both preganglionic and postganglionic synapses.
3. The neurotransmitter released by most postganglionic sympathetic nerve fibers
is:
A. Acetylcholine
B. Norepinephrine
C. Epinephrine
D. Serotonin
Answer: B. Norepinephrine
Rationale: Most postganglionic sympathetic fibers release norepinephrine (adrenergic
fibers), except for those innervating sweat glands which release ACh.
4. Which receptor type is activated by acetylcholine at autonomic ganglia?
A. Nicotinic (Nn)
B. Muscarinic (M)
C. Beta-1
D. Alpha-1
Answer: A. Nicotinic (Nn)
Rationale: Acetylcholine binds to nicotinic receptors at autonomic ganglia to continue the
signal transmission from preganglionic to postganglionic fibers.
,5. Activation of beta-1 receptors in the heart causes:
A. Decreased heart rate
B. Increased heart rate and contractility
C. Vasodilation
D. Bronchoconstriction
Answer: B. Increased heart rate and contractility
Rationale: Beta-1 receptors are primarily located in the heart. Their activation increases
heart rate (chronotropy) and contractility (inotropy).
6. Activation of alpha-1 receptors causes:
A. Vasodilation
B. Vasoconstriction
C. Bronchodilation
D. Decreased blood pressure
Answer: B. Vasoconstriction
Rationale: Alpha-1 receptors are located on vascular smooth muscle. Their activation
causes vasoconstriction, increasing blood pressure.
7. Which of the following is an effect of the sympathetic nervous system?
A. Constricted pupils
B. Increased salivation
C. Dilated bronchioles
D. Slowed heart rate
Answer: C. Dilated bronchioles
, Rationale: Sympathetic activation causes bronchodilation to increase airflow, along with
pupil dilation, increased heart rate, and inhibited salivation.
8. Which of the following is an effect of the parasympathetic nervous system?
A. Dilated pupils
B. Increased heart rate
C. Constricted bronchioles
D. Stimulated glucose release
Answer: C. Constricted bronchioles
Rationale: Parasympathetic activation causes bronchoconstriction, pupil constriction,
slowed heart rate, and increased salivation.
9. What is the role of acetylcholinesterase (AChE)?
A. To synthesize acetylcholine
B. To destroy acetylcholine
C. To bind to nicotinic receptors
D. To release norepinephrine
Answer: B. To destroy acetylcholine
Rationale: Acetylcholinesterase is an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine in the
synaptic cleft, terminating its action.
10. Which receptors are found on the heart and, when activated, increase heart
rate?
A. Alpha-1
B. Beta-1
Exam 1: Practice Questions, Verified Answers &
Rationales
This specialized study guide features targeted practice questions, verified answers, and
comprehensive logical rationales tailored specifically for Exam 1 of Arizona College of
Nursing's NUR 354 curriculum. It emphasizes intermediate to advanced nursing
pharmacology competencies, including detailed mechanism of action breakdowns,
critical adverse event protocols, and safe medication administration calculations.
Nursing students will master high-alert medication protocols and patient-centered
monitoring parameters to ensure a passing score on their proctored nursing school
assessment.
Section 1: Autonomic Nervous System Basics (Questions 1–30)
1. The parasympathetic nervous system is also known as the:
A. "Fight or flight" system
B. "Rest and digest" system
C. Adrenergic system
D. Somatic system
Answer: B. "Rest and digest" system
Rationale: The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for rest and digest functions,
promoting digestion, relaxation, and energy conservation.
,2. The neurotransmitter released by most postganglionic parasympathetic nerve
fibers is:
A. Norepinephrine
B. Acetylcholine
C. Dopamine
D. Epinephrine
Answer: B. Acetylcholine
Rationale: Acetylcholine (ACh) is the primary neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic
nervous system, released at both preganglionic and postganglionic synapses.
3. The neurotransmitter released by most postganglionic sympathetic nerve fibers
is:
A. Acetylcholine
B. Norepinephrine
C. Epinephrine
D. Serotonin
Answer: B. Norepinephrine
Rationale: Most postganglionic sympathetic fibers release norepinephrine (adrenergic
fibers), except for those innervating sweat glands which release ACh.
4. Which receptor type is activated by acetylcholine at autonomic ganglia?
A. Nicotinic (Nn)
B. Muscarinic (M)
C. Beta-1
D. Alpha-1
Answer: A. Nicotinic (Nn)
Rationale: Acetylcholine binds to nicotinic receptors at autonomic ganglia to continue the
signal transmission from preganglionic to postganglionic fibers.
,5. Activation of beta-1 receptors in the heart causes:
A. Decreased heart rate
B. Increased heart rate and contractility
C. Vasodilation
D. Bronchoconstriction
Answer: B. Increased heart rate and contractility
Rationale: Beta-1 receptors are primarily located in the heart. Their activation increases
heart rate (chronotropy) and contractility (inotropy).
6. Activation of alpha-1 receptors causes:
A. Vasodilation
B. Vasoconstriction
C. Bronchodilation
D. Decreased blood pressure
Answer: B. Vasoconstriction
Rationale: Alpha-1 receptors are located on vascular smooth muscle. Their activation
causes vasoconstriction, increasing blood pressure.
7. Which of the following is an effect of the sympathetic nervous system?
A. Constricted pupils
B. Increased salivation
C. Dilated bronchioles
D. Slowed heart rate
Answer: C. Dilated bronchioles
, Rationale: Sympathetic activation causes bronchodilation to increase airflow, along with
pupil dilation, increased heart rate, and inhibited salivation.
8. Which of the following is an effect of the parasympathetic nervous system?
A. Dilated pupils
B. Increased heart rate
C. Constricted bronchioles
D. Stimulated glucose release
Answer: C. Constricted bronchioles
Rationale: Parasympathetic activation causes bronchoconstriction, pupil constriction,
slowed heart rate, and increased salivation.
9. What is the role of acetylcholinesterase (AChE)?
A. To synthesize acetylcholine
B. To destroy acetylcholine
C. To bind to nicotinic receptors
D. To release norepinephrine
Answer: B. To destroy acetylcholine
Rationale: Acetylcholinesterase is an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine in the
synaptic cleft, terminating its action.
10. Which receptors are found on the heart and, when activated, increase heart
rate?
A. Alpha-1
B. Beta-1
