PHARMACOLOGY NCLEX PRACTICE EXAM
Questions and Answers
1.Cholinergic (parasympathomimetic) drugs have which therapeutic effect?
1. Blood vessel vasoconstriction
2. Increased gastrointestinal (GI) motility
3. Urinary retention
4. Pupil dilation
Answer 2. Increased gastrointestinal (GI) motility
Cholinergic effects mimic the parasympathetic nervous system (rest
and digest) as opposed to the sympathetic nervous system (fight or
flight). Increasing GI motility helps the body digest. Urinary retention,
mydriasis (pupil dilation), and blood vessel vasoconstriction are
sympathetic nervous system responses.
2.Cholinergic (parasympathomimetic) drugs are indicated for management
of what clinical condition?
1. Postoperative bradycardia
2. Frequent urination
3. Excessive salivation and sweating
4. Glaucoma
Answer 4. Glaucoma
Cholinergic drugs stimulate the pupil to constrict (miosis), thus
decreasing intraoc- ular pressure.
3.The nurse is performing postoperative teaching for a patient prescribed
bethanechol. The nurse is teaching based on understanding, the drug is
,being prescribed for what clinical condition?
1. Orthostatic hypotension
2. Urinary atony
3. Ischemic colitis
4. Respiratory atelectasis.
Answer 2. Urinary atony
Bethanechol is a direct-acting cholinergic agonist that stimulates the
cholinergic receptors on the smooth muscle of the bladder, leading to
bladder contraction and emptying
4.The nurse is providing discharge education to patient who is prescribed
bethanechol. What side effect would the nurse teach the patient might
occur with this medication?
1. Headache
2. Hypertension
3. Constipation.
4. Tachypnea
Answer 1. Headache
Adverse effects include syncope, hypotension with reflex tachycardia,
headache, seizure, GI upset, and asthma attacks.
5.The nurse is administering donepezil to a patient with Alzheimer's
disease. What is the expected therapeutic action of this medication?
1. Helps control associated urinary and fecal incontinence
2. Blocks the effect of norepinephrine at the presynaptic cell membrane
3. Relief of anxiety and restless behavior of the patient
4. Increases levels of acetylcholine in the brain by blocking its breakdown
, Answer 4. Increases levels of acetylcholine in the brain by blocking its
breakdown
Donepezil is used to treat Alzheimer's disease, a disorder of decreased
acetyl- choline levels in the brain. Donepezil is an indirect-acting
anticholinesterase drug.
6.When providing teaching to a patient diagnosed with myasthenia gravis,
which instruction regarding the administration of physostigmine is
appropri- ate to include?
1. Inform the patient that common adverse effects include tachycardia
and hypertension.
2. Tell the patient to increase fluid and fiber in the diet to prevent constipation
3. Explain that if a dose is missed, the patient should double the next dose
to prevent withdrawal.
4. Instruct the patient to take the medication 30 minutes before meals.
Answer 4. Instruct the patient to take the medication 30 minutes
before meals.
Drugs used for myasthenia gravis should be given about 30 minutes
before meals to allow for onset of action and therapeutic effects (e.g.,
decreased dysphagia). Con- stipation, tachycardia, and hypertension
are not effects of cholinergic medications. A missed dose should never
be doubled.
7.The health care provider prescribes donepezil for a patient. The patient
states to the nurse, "I have no idea why I take this medication." The
nurse knows the administration of donepezil is commonly associated
with what condition?
1. Urinary retention
Questions and Answers
1.Cholinergic (parasympathomimetic) drugs have which therapeutic effect?
1. Blood vessel vasoconstriction
2. Increased gastrointestinal (GI) motility
3. Urinary retention
4. Pupil dilation
Answer 2. Increased gastrointestinal (GI) motility
Cholinergic effects mimic the parasympathetic nervous system (rest
and digest) as opposed to the sympathetic nervous system (fight or
flight). Increasing GI motility helps the body digest. Urinary retention,
mydriasis (pupil dilation), and blood vessel vasoconstriction are
sympathetic nervous system responses.
2.Cholinergic (parasympathomimetic) drugs are indicated for management
of what clinical condition?
1. Postoperative bradycardia
2. Frequent urination
3. Excessive salivation and sweating
4. Glaucoma
Answer 4. Glaucoma
Cholinergic drugs stimulate the pupil to constrict (miosis), thus
decreasing intraoc- ular pressure.
3.The nurse is performing postoperative teaching for a patient prescribed
bethanechol. The nurse is teaching based on understanding, the drug is
,being prescribed for what clinical condition?
1. Orthostatic hypotension
2. Urinary atony
3. Ischemic colitis
4. Respiratory atelectasis.
Answer 2. Urinary atony
Bethanechol is a direct-acting cholinergic agonist that stimulates the
cholinergic receptors on the smooth muscle of the bladder, leading to
bladder contraction and emptying
4.The nurse is providing discharge education to patient who is prescribed
bethanechol. What side effect would the nurse teach the patient might
occur with this medication?
1. Headache
2. Hypertension
3. Constipation.
4. Tachypnea
Answer 1. Headache
Adverse effects include syncope, hypotension with reflex tachycardia,
headache, seizure, GI upset, and asthma attacks.
5.The nurse is administering donepezil to a patient with Alzheimer's
disease. What is the expected therapeutic action of this medication?
1. Helps control associated urinary and fecal incontinence
2. Blocks the effect of norepinephrine at the presynaptic cell membrane
3. Relief of anxiety and restless behavior of the patient
4. Increases levels of acetylcholine in the brain by blocking its breakdown
, Answer 4. Increases levels of acetylcholine in the brain by blocking its
breakdown
Donepezil is used to treat Alzheimer's disease, a disorder of decreased
acetyl- choline levels in the brain. Donepezil is an indirect-acting
anticholinesterase drug.
6.When providing teaching to a patient diagnosed with myasthenia gravis,
which instruction regarding the administration of physostigmine is
appropri- ate to include?
1. Inform the patient that common adverse effects include tachycardia
and hypertension.
2. Tell the patient to increase fluid and fiber in the diet to prevent constipation
3. Explain that if a dose is missed, the patient should double the next dose
to prevent withdrawal.
4. Instruct the patient to take the medication 30 minutes before meals.
Answer 4. Instruct the patient to take the medication 30 minutes
before meals.
Drugs used for myasthenia gravis should be given about 30 minutes
before meals to allow for onset of action and therapeutic effects (e.g.,
decreased dysphagia). Con- stipation, tachycardia, and hypertension
are not effects of cholinergic medications. A missed dose should never
be doubled.
7.The health care provider prescribes donepezil for a patient. The patient
states to the nurse, "I have no idea why I take this medication." The
nurse knows the administration of donepezil is commonly associated
with what condition?
1. Urinary retention
