Chapter 19: Adrenergic Drugs
Sealock: Lilley’s Pharmacology for Canadian Health Care Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Adrenergic drugs produce effects similar to which of the body’s systems?
a. The central nervous system b. The somatic nervous system
c. The sympathetic nervous system
d. The parasympathetic nervous system
ANS: C
Adrenergic drugs mimic the sympathetic nervous system neurotransmitters. Thus, adrenergic drugs are
also called sympathomimetic drugs.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge
2. When an adrenergic drug stimulates 1-adrenergic receptors, the result is an increased force of
contraction, which is known as what type of positive effect?
a. Inotropic
b. Adrenergic
c. Dromotropic d. Chronotropic
ANS: A
An increased force of contraction is known as a positive inotropic effect. DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge
3. When a patient is taking an adrenergic drug, the nurse expects to see which effect?
a. Increased heart rate
b. Bronchial constriction c. Peripheral vasodilation
d. Increased intestinal peristalsis
ANS: A
Increased heart rate is one of the effects of adrenergic drugs. Bronchial dilation, peripheral constriction,
and decreased intestinal peristalsis are not effects of adrenergic drugs
, DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge
4. An adrenergic agonist is ordered for a patient in shock. The nurse notes that this drug has had its
primary intended effect when which condition occurs?
a. Blood volume restoration b. Increased blood pressure c. Stable urine output d. Reduced anxiety
ANS: B
For a patient in shock, a primary benefit of an adrenergic agonist drug is to increase blood pressure. A
drug in this category should not be used in place of volume restoration or to provide blood volume
restoration (intravenous fluids should be used). Adrenergic agonists may enhance urine output if cardiac
output and perfusion to the kidneys increase, but this is a secondary benefit. Treatment of anxiety is not
an indication for adrenergics.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis
5. Which condition is an indication for epinephrine (Adrenalin®)?
a. Severe hypertension
b. Conjunctival congestion c. Acute asthma attacks
d. Heart failure
ANS: C
Acute asthma attack is one of the indications for the use of epinephrine. DIF: Cognitive Level:
Comprehension
6. After a near-fatal motor vehicle accident, a family has given permission for their 6-year-old son’s
organs to be donated. Which
medication will be given to the child to maintain the blood pressure in his organs until transplantation can
be carried out?
a. epinephrine hydrochloride b. midodrine hydrochloride
c. dobutamine hydrochloride d. dopamine hydrochloride
ANS: D
Dopamine hydrochloride is used to maintain blood pressure in organs that are to be transplanted. DIF:
Cognitive Level: Application
Sealock: Lilley’s Pharmacology for Canadian Health Care Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Adrenergic drugs produce effects similar to which of the body’s systems?
a. The central nervous system b. The somatic nervous system
c. The sympathetic nervous system
d. The parasympathetic nervous system
ANS: C
Adrenergic drugs mimic the sympathetic nervous system neurotransmitters. Thus, adrenergic drugs are
also called sympathomimetic drugs.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge
2. When an adrenergic drug stimulates 1-adrenergic receptors, the result is an increased force of
contraction, which is known as what type of positive effect?
a. Inotropic
b. Adrenergic
c. Dromotropic d. Chronotropic
ANS: A
An increased force of contraction is known as a positive inotropic effect. DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge
3. When a patient is taking an adrenergic drug, the nurse expects to see which effect?
a. Increased heart rate
b. Bronchial constriction c. Peripheral vasodilation
d. Increased intestinal peristalsis
ANS: A
Increased heart rate is one of the effects of adrenergic drugs. Bronchial dilation, peripheral constriction,
and decreased intestinal peristalsis are not effects of adrenergic drugs
, DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge
4. An adrenergic agonist is ordered for a patient in shock. The nurse notes that this drug has had its
primary intended effect when which condition occurs?
a. Blood volume restoration b. Increased blood pressure c. Stable urine output d. Reduced anxiety
ANS: B
For a patient in shock, a primary benefit of an adrenergic agonist drug is to increase blood pressure. A
drug in this category should not be used in place of volume restoration or to provide blood volume
restoration (intravenous fluids should be used). Adrenergic agonists may enhance urine output if cardiac
output and perfusion to the kidneys increase, but this is a secondary benefit. Treatment of anxiety is not
an indication for adrenergics.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis
5. Which condition is an indication for epinephrine (Adrenalin®)?
a. Severe hypertension
b. Conjunctival congestion c. Acute asthma attacks
d. Heart failure
ANS: C
Acute asthma attack is one of the indications for the use of epinephrine. DIF: Cognitive Level:
Comprehension
6. After a near-fatal motor vehicle accident, a family has given permission for their 6-year-old son’s
organs to be donated. Which
medication will be given to the child to maintain the blood pressure in his organs until transplantation can
be carried out?
a. epinephrine hydrochloride b. midodrine hydrochloride
c. dobutamine hydrochloride d. dopamine hydrochloride
ANS: D
Dopamine hydrochloride is used to maintain blood pressure in organs that are to be transplanted. DIF:
Cognitive Level: Application
