N316A Autonomic Nervous Exam 2025
Questions and Answers
When describing the functions of the ANS, which of the following would the instructor include?
A) Maintenance of balance and posture
B) Maintenance of the special senses
C) Regulation of integrated internal body functions
D) Coordination of peripheral and central nerve pathways - ANS C) Regulation of integrated
internal body functions
The ANS differs from other systems in the CNS in that it:
A) Uses only peripheral pathways
B) Affects organs and muscles via a two-neuron system
C) Uses a unique one-neuron system
D) Bypasses the CNS in all of its actions - ANS B) Affects organs and muscles via a two-neuron
system
If you suspect that a person is a very stressed and is experiencing a sympathetic stress rxn, you
would expect to find:
A) Increased bowel sounds and urinary output
B) Constricted pupils and warm, flushed skin
C) Slow heart rate and decreased systolic blood pressure
D) Dilated pupils and elevated systolic blood pressure - ANS D) Dilated pupils and elevated
systolic blood pressure
Pg. 1 Copyright © 2025 Jasonmcconell. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
,The nurse determines that the beta2 receptors in the SNS have been stimulated by which
finding?
A) Increased heart rate
B) Increased myocardial contraction
C) Bronchial dilation
D) Uterine contraction - ANS C) Bronchial dilation
Once a postganglionic receptor site has been stimulated the neurotransmitter must be broken
down immediately. The sympathetic system breaks down postganglionic neurotransmitters by
using:
A) Liver enzymes and acetylcholinesterase
B) Acetylcholinesterase and MAO
C) COMT and liver enzymes
D) MAO and COMT - ANS D) MAO and COMT
The parasympathetic nervous system, in most situations, opposes the actions of the SNS,
allowing the ANS to:
A) Generally have no effect
B) Maintain a fine control over internal homeostasis
C) Promote digestion
D) Respond to stress more effectively - ANS B) Maintain a fine control over internal
homeostasis
Cholinergic neurons, those using ACh as their neurotransmitter, would be least likely found in:
A) Motor nerves on skeletal muscles
B) Preganglionic nerves in the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems
C) Postganglionic nerves in the parasympathetic system
D) The adrenal medulla - ANS D) The adrenal medulla
Pg. 2 Copyright © 2025 Jasonmcconell. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
,Stimulation of the PNS would cause:
A) Slower heart rate and increased GI secretions
B) Faster heart rate and urinary retention
C) Vasoconstriction and bronchial dilation
D) Pupil dilation and muscle paralysis - ANS A) Slower heart rate and increased GI secretions
Select all that apply: The SNS:
A) Is called the thoracolumbar system
B) Is called the fight-or-flight system
C) Is called the craniosacral system
D) Uses ACh as its sole neurotransmitter
E) Uses epinephrine as its sole neurotransmitter
F) Is active during stress reaction - ANS A) Is called the thoracolumbar system
B) Is called the fight-or-flight system
F) Is active during stress reaction
Select all that apply: The sympathetic system uses catecholamines at the postganglionic
receptors. Which of the following are considered to be catecholamines?
A) Dopamine
B) Norepinephrine
C) ACh
D) Epinephrine
E) MAO
F) Serotonin - ANS A) Dopamine
B) Norepinephrine
D) Epinephrine
Pg. 3 Copyright © 2025 Jasonmcconell. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
, F) Serotonin
The nurse is assessing a pt. What assessment finding is the clearest indicator of autonomic
nervous system function?
A) The pts hearing is intact
B) The pts muscle strength is equal bilaterally
C) The pts respiratory rate is 22 breaths per minute
D) The pt can discern hot sensation from cold - ANS C) The pts respiratory rate is 22 breaths
per minute
A nurse is reviewing the parasympathetic nervous system prior to caring for a pt w/ a
neurologic disorder. What statement best describes the parasympathetic nervous system?
A) The system is often referred to as the thoracolumbar system
B) Many of the cells originate in the sacral area of the spinal cord
C) The cells typically have preganglionic fibers that are relatively short
D) The ganglia are located in chains running alongside the spinal cord - ANS B) Many of the
cells originate in the sacral area of the spinal cord
A pt is experiencing sympathetic stimulation in response to a stressful event. Which substance
will most affect the pt sodium and water retention?
A) Aldosterone
B) Cortisol
C) Glucose
D) Thyroid hormone - ANS A) Aldosterone
A pt in distress has been given dobutamine, a med intended to increase myocardial activity and
heart rate. This med likely stimulates what adrenergic receptor?
A) Alpha 1
B) Beta 1
Pg. 4 Copyright © 2025 Jasonmcconell. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Questions and Answers
When describing the functions of the ANS, which of the following would the instructor include?
A) Maintenance of balance and posture
B) Maintenance of the special senses
C) Regulation of integrated internal body functions
D) Coordination of peripheral and central nerve pathways - ANS C) Regulation of integrated
internal body functions
The ANS differs from other systems in the CNS in that it:
A) Uses only peripheral pathways
B) Affects organs and muscles via a two-neuron system
C) Uses a unique one-neuron system
D) Bypasses the CNS in all of its actions - ANS B) Affects organs and muscles via a two-neuron
system
If you suspect that a person is a very stressed and is experiencing a sympathetic stress rxn, you
would expect to find:
A) Increased bowel sounds and urinary output
B) Constricted pupils and warm, flushed skin
C) Slow heart rate and decreased systolic blood pressure
D) Dilated pupils and elevated systolic blood pressure - ANS D) Dilated pupils and elevated
systolic blood pressure
Pg. 1 Copyright © 2025 Jasonmcconell. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
,The nurse determines that the beta2 receptors in the SNS have been stimulated by which
finding?
A) Increased heart rate
B) Increased myocardial contraction
C) Bronchial dilation
D) Uterine contraction - ANS C) Bronchial dilation
Once a postganglionic receptor site has been stimulated the neurotransmitter must be broken
down immediately. The sympathetic system breaks down postganglionic neurotransmitters by
using:
A) Liver enzymes and acetylcholinesterase
B) Acetylcholinesterase and MAO
C) COMT and liver enzymes
D) MAO and COMT - ANS D) MAO and COMT
The parasympathetic nervous system, in most situations, opposes the actions of the SNS,
allowing the ANS to:
A) Generally have no effect
B) Maintain a fine control over internal homeostasis
C) Promote digestion
D) Respond to stress more effectively - ANS B) Maintain a fine control over internal
homeostasis
Cholinergic neurons, those using ACh as their neurotransmitter, would be least likely found in:
A) Motor nerves on skeletal muscles
B) Preganglionic nerves in the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems
C) Postganglionic nerves in the parasympathetic system
D) The adrenal medulla - ANS D) The adrenal medulla
Pg. 2 Copyright © 2025 Jasonmcconell. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
,Stimulation of the PNS would cause:
A) Slower heart rate and increased GI secretions
B) Faster heart rate and urinary retention
C) Vasoconstriction and bronchial dilation
D) Pupil dilation and muscle paralysis - ANS A) Slower heart rate and increased GI secretions
Select all that apply: The SNS:
A) Is called the thoracolumbar system
B) Is called the fight-or-flight system
C) Is called the craniosacral system
D) Uses ACh as its sole neurotransmitter
E) Uses epinephrine as its sole neurotransmitter
F) Is active during stress reaction - ANS A) Is called the thoracolumbar system
B) Is called the fight-or-flight system
F) Is active during stress reaction
Select all that apply: The sympathetic system uses catecholamines at the postganglionic
receptors. Which of the following are considered to be catecholamines?
A) Dopamine
B) Norepinephrine
C) ACh
D) Epinephrine
E) MAO
F) Serotonin - ANS A) Dopamine
B) Norepinephrine
D) Epinephrine
Pg. 3 Copyright © 2025 Jasonmcconell. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
, F) Serotonin
The nurse is assessing a pt. What assessment finding is the clearest indicator of autonomic
nervous system function?
A) The pts hearing is intact
B) The pts muscle strength is equal bilaterally
C) The pts respiratory rate is 22 breaths per minute
D) The pt can discern hot sensation from cold - ANS C) The pts respiratory rate is 22 breaths
per minute
A nurse is reviewing the parasympathetic nervous system prior to caring for a pt w/ a
neurologic disorder. What statement best describes the parasympathetic nervous system?
A) The system is often referred to as the thoracolumbar system
B) Many of the cells originate in the sacral area of the spinal cord
C) The cells typically have preganglionic fibers that are relatively short
D) The ganglia are located in chains running alongside the spinal cord - ANS B) Many of the
cells originate in the sacral area of the spinal cord
A pt is experiencing sympathetic stimulation in response to a stressful event. Which substance
will most affect the pt sodium and water retention?
A) Aldosterone
B) Cortisol
C) Glucose
D) Thyroid hormone - ANS A) Aldosterone
A pt in distress has been given dobutamine, a med intended to increase myocardial activity and
heart rate. This med likely stimulates what adrenergic receptor?
A) Alpha 1
B) Beta 1
Pg. 4 Copyright © 2025 Jasonmcconell. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
