Chapter 22: Cholinergic-Blocking Drugs
Sealock: Lilley’s Pharmacology for Canadian Health Care Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is about to administer a STAT dose of atropine sulphate to a patient who is experiencing a
symptomatic cardiac dysrhythmia. During administration of this drug, the nurse monitors the patient
closely for which adverse effect?
a. Tachycardia b. Bradycardia c. Ectopic beats
d. Cardiac standstill
ANS: A
Cardiovascular effects of cholinergic blockers include an increased heart rate and dysrhythmias. One
indication for use is sinus bradycardia accompanied by hemodynamic compromise.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
2. How long can a scopolamine patch prevent motion sickness?
a. 1 day b. 2 days c. 3 days d. 4 days
ANS: C
A scopolamine patch can prevent motion sickness for 3 days. DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension
3. Which condition is appropriate for treatment with a cholinergic-blocking drug?
a. Glaucoma
b. Myasthenia gravis
c. Irritable bowel disease
d. Genitourinary obstruction
ANS: C
Cholinergic-blocking drugs may be used to treat irritable bowel disease. Glaucoma, myasthenia gravis,
and genitourinary obstruction are contraindications to the use of these drugs.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
, 4. Which medication is the antidote to severe cases of atropine overdose?
a. atenolol (Tenormin®)
b. bethanechol
c. scopolamine patch d. physostigmine
ANS: D
Physostigmine is the antidote to an atropine overdose in clients who show extreme delirium or agitation
and who could injure themselves.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge
5. A 72-year-old male has a new prescription for an anticholinergic. He is an active man and enjoys
outdoor activities such as hiking, golfing, and doing yard work. During a teaching session about his drug
therapy, the nurse should emphasize that
a. drowsiness may interfere with his outdoor activities.
b. increased salivation may occur during exercise and outdoor activities.
c. fluid volume deficits may occur as a result of an increased incidence of diarrhea.
d. he should take measures to reduce the occurrence of heat stroke during his activities.
ANS: D
Older adult patients who take an anticholinergic should be reminded that they are at a greater risk for
suffering a heat stroke because of decreased sweating and loss of normal heat-regulating mechanisms.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis
6. When administering an anticholinergic drug, the nurse expects the patient will experience which
adverse effect?
a. Excessive urination b. Diaphoresis
c. Dry mouth
d. Pupil constriction
Sealock: Lilley’s Pharmacology for Canadian Health Care Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is about to administer a STAT dose of atropine sulphate to a patient who is experiencing a
symptomatic cardiac dysrhythmia. During administration of this drug, the nurse monitors the patient
closely for which adverse effect?
a. Tachycardia b. Bradycardia c. Ectopic beats
d. Cardiac standstill
ANS: A
Cardiovascular effects of cholinergic blockers include an increased heart rate and dysrhythmias. One
indication for use is sinus bradycardia accompanied by hemodynamic compromise.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
2. How long can a scopolamine patch prevent motion sickness?
a. 1 day b. 2 days c. 3 days d. 4 days
ANS: C
A scopolamine patch can prevent motion sickness for 3 days. DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension
3. Which condition is appropriate for treatment with a cholinergic-blocking drug?
a. Glaucoma
b. Myasthenia gravis
c. Irritable bowel disease
d. Genitourinary obstruction
ANS: C
Cholinergic-blocking drugs may be used to treat irritable bowel disease. Glaucoma, myasthenia gravis,
and genitourinary obstruction are contraindications to the use of these drugs.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
, 4. Which medication is the antidote to severe cases of atropine overdose?
a. atenolol (Tenormin®)
b. bethanechol
c. scopolamine patch d. physostigmine
ANS: D
Physostigmine is the antidote to an atropine overdose in clients who show extreme delirium or agitation
and who could injure themselves.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge
5. A 72-year-old male has a new prescription for an anticholinergic. He is an active man and enjoys
outdoor activities such as hiking, golfing, and doing yard work. During a teaching session about his drug
therapy, the nurse should emphasize that
a. drowsiness may interfere with his outdoor activities.
b. increased salivation may occur during exercise and outdoor activities.
c. fluid volume deficits may occur as a result of an increased incidence of diarrhea.
d. he should take measures to reduce the occurrence of heat stroke during his activities.
ANS: D
Older adult patients who take an anticholinergic should be reminded that they are at a greater risk for
suffering a heat stroke because of decreased sweating and loss of normal heat-regulating mechanisms.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis
6. When administering an anticholinergic drug, the nurse expects the patient will experience which
adverse effect?
a. Excessive urination b. Diaphoresis
c. Dry mouth
d. Pupil constriction
