NUR 210 Units 4, 5, and 6 Review Questions with Rationales
Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
1. A prescriber has ordered pilocarpine [Pilocar]. A nurse understands that the
drug stimulates muscarinic receptors and would expect the drug to have which
action?
a. Reduction of excessive secretions in a postoperative patient
b. Lowering of intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma
c. Inhibition of muscular activity in the bladder
d. Prevention of hypertensive crisis
2. A prescriber has ordered bethanechol [Urecholine] for a postoperative patient
who has urinary retention. The nurse reviews the patient’s chart before giving
the drug. Which part of the patient’s history would be a contraindication to
using this drug?
a. Asthma as a child
b. Gastroesophageal reflux
c. Hypertension
d. Hypothyroidism
3. The nurse is teaching a patient who is newly diagnosed with myasthenia gravis
about managing the disease. Which is important when teaching this patient
about adverse effects of cholinesterase inhibitors?
a. “There are very few serious side effects associated with your
medication.”
b. “It is important to notify your provider if you have excessive
saliva.”
c. “If you experience urinary urgency, you may need to increase
your dose.”
d. “Excessive sweating is a minor side effect and will improve
over time.”
,4. A nurse is teaching parents how to use an EpiPen for their child, who has a
peanut allergy. Which statement by the parents indicates understanding of the
teaching?
a. “After using the EpiPen, we must go to the emergency
department.”
b. “The EpiPen should be stored in the refrigerator, because
epinephrine is sensitive to heat.”
c. “The teacher should call us when symptoms start so that we
can bring the EpiPen to school.”
d. “We should jab the device into the thigh until it is empty of
solution.”
5. Because they cause vasoconstriction, alpha1-adrenergic agonists are especially
useful for:
a. causing hemostasis in skin and mucous membranes.
b. producing mydriasis to facilitate ophthalmic examinations.
c. slowing the heart rate in tachycardic patients.
d. treating hypotension.
6. A patient with type 1 diabetes is taking NPH insulin, 30 units every day. A
nurse notes that the patient is also taking metoprolol [Lopressor]. What
education should the nurse provide to the patient?
a. “Metoprolol has no effect on diabetes mellitus or on your
insulin requirements.”
b. “Metoprolol interferes with the effects of insulin, so you may
need to increase your insulin dose.”
c. “Metoprolol may mask signs of hypoglycemia, so you need to
monitor your blood glucose closely.”
d. “Metoprolol may potentiate the effects of the insulin, so the
dose should be reduced.”
, 7. A patient with migraines is started on a beta blocker. The nurse explains the
benefits of taking the medication for migraines. Which statement by the patient
indicates an understanding of the medication’s effects?
a. “I need to take it every day to reduce the frequency of
migraines.”
b. “I will take it as needed to get relief from migraines.”
c. “I will take it to shorten the duration of my migraines.”
d. “I will take this drug when a migraine starts.”
8. The nurse is aware that adrenergic drugs produce effects similar to which of
these nervous systems?
a. Central nervous system
b. Somatic nervous system
c. Sympathetic nervous system
d. Parasympathetic nervous system
9. When a patient is taking an adrenergic drug, the nurse expects to observe
which effect?
a. Increased heart rate
b. Bronchial constriction
c. Constricted pupils
d. Increased intestinal peristalsis
10. An adrenergic agonist is ordered for a patient in shock. The nurse will note that
this drug has had its primary intended effect if which expected outcome
occurs?
a. Volume restoration
b. Increased cardiac output
c. Decreased urine output
d. Reduced anxiety
, 11. The nurse is administering a stat dose of epinephrine. Epinephrine is
appropriate for which situation?
a. Severe hypertension
b. Angina
c. Cardiac arrest
d. Tachycardia
12. A hospitalized patient is experiencing a severe anaphylactic reaction to a dose
of intravenous penicillin. Which drug will the nurse expect to use to treat this
condition?
a. Ephedra
b. Epinephrine
c. Phenylephrine
d. Pseudoephedrine
13. The nurse recognizes that adrenergic drugs cause relaxation of the bronchi and
bronchodilation by stimulating which type of receptors?
a. Dopaminergic
b. Beta1 adrenergic
c. Beta2 adrenergic
d. Alpha1 adrenergic
14. During therapy with a beta blocker, the patient notices that she has swollen
feet, has gained 3 pounds within 2 days, feels short of breath even when
walking around the house, and has been dizzy. The nurse suspects that which
of these is occurring?
a. The patient is experiencing an allergic reaction.
b. The patient may be developing heart failure.
c. More time is needed for the patient to see a therapeutic
response to the drug.
d. The patient is experiencing expected adverse effects of the
drug.
Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
1. A prescriber has ordered pilocarpine [Pilocar]. A nurse understands that the
drug stimulates muscarinic receptors and would expect the drug to have which
action?
a. Reduction of excessive secretions in a postoperative patient
b. Lowering of intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma
c. Inhibition of muscular activity in the bladder
d. Prevention of hypertensive crisis
2. A prescriber has ordered bethanechol [Urecholine] for a postoperative patient
who has urinary retention. The nurse reviews the patient’s chart before giving
the drug. Which part of the patient’s history would be a contraindication to
using this drug?
a. Asthma as a child
b. Gastroesophageal reflux
c. Hypertension
d. Hypothyroidism
3. The nurse is teaching a patient who is newly diagnosed with myasthenia gravis
about managing the disease. Which is important when teaching this patient
about adverse effects of cholinesterase inhibitors?
a. “There are very few serious side effects associated with your
medication.”
b. “It is important to notify your provider if you have excessive
saliva.”
c. “If you experience urinary urgency, you may need to increase
your dose.”
d. “Excessive sweating is a minor side effect and will improve
over time.”
,4. A nurse is teaching parents how to use an EpiPen for their child, who has a
peanut allergy. Which statement by the parents indicates understanding of the
teaching?
a. “After using the EpiPen, we must go to the emergency
department.”
b. “The EpiPen should be stored in the refrigerator, because
epinephrine is sensitive to heat.”
c. “The teacher should call us when symptoms start so that we
can bring the EpiPen to school.”
d. “We should jab the device into the thigh until it is empty of
solution.”
5. Because they cause vasoconstriction, alpha1-adrenergic agonists are especially
useful for:
a. causing hemostasis in skin and mucous membranes.
b. producing mydriasis to facilitate ophthalmic examinations.
c. slowing the heart rate in tachycardic patients.
d. treating hypotension.
6. A patient with type 1 diabetes is taking NPH insulin, 30 units every day. A
nurse notes that the patient is also taking metoprolol [Lopressor]. What
education should the nurse provide to the patient?
a. “Metoprolol has no effect on diabetes mellitus or on your
insulin requirements.”
b. “Metoprolol interferes with the effects of insulin, so you may
need to increase your insulin dose.”
c. “Metoprolol may mask signs of hypoglycemia, so you need to
monitor your blood glucose closely.”
d. “Metoprolol may potentiate the effects of the insulin, so the
dose should be reduced.”
, 7. A patient with migraines is started on a beta blocker. The nurse explains the
benefits of taking the medication for migraines. Which statement by the patient
indicates an understanding of the medication’s effects?
a. “I need to take it every day to reduce the frequency of
migraines.”
b. “I will take it as needed to get relief from migraines.”
c. “I will take it to shorten the duration of my migraines.”
d. “I will take this drug when a migraine starts.”
8. The nurse is aware that adrenergic drugs produce effects similar to which of
these nervous systems?
a. Central nervous system
b. Somatic nervous system
c. Sympathetic nervous system
d. Parasympathetic nervous system
9. When a patient is taking an adrenergic drug, the nurse expects to observe
which effect?
a. Increased heart rate
b. Bronchial constriction
c. Constricted pupils
d. Increased intestinal peristalsis
10. An adrenergic agonist is ordered for a patient in shock. The nurse will note that
this drug has had its primary intended effect if which expected outcome
occurs?
a. Volume restoration
b. Increased cardiac output
c. Decreased urine output
d. Reduced anxiety
, 11. The nurse is administering a stat dose of epinephrine. Epinephrine is
appropriate for which situation?
a. Severe hypertension
b. Angina
c. Cardiac arrest
d. Tachycardia
12. A hospitalized patient is experiencing a severe anaphylactic reaction to a dose
of intravenous penicillin. Which drug will the nurse expect to use to treat this
condition?
a. Ephedra
b. Epinephrine
c. Phenylephrine
d. Pseudoephedrine
13. The nurse recognizes that adrenergic drugs cause relaxation of the bronchi and
bronchodilation by stimulating which type of receptors?
a. Dopaminergic
b. Beta1 adrenergic
c. Beta2 adrenergic
d. Alpha1 adrenergic
14. During therapy with a beta blocker, the patient notices that she has swollen
feet, has gained 3 pounds within 2 days, feels short of breath even when
walking around the house, and has been dizzy. The nurse suspects that which
of these is occurring?
a. The patient is experiencing an allergic reaction.
b. The patient may be developing heart failure.
c. More time is needed for the patient to see a therapeutic
response to the drug.
d. The patient is experiencing expected adverse effects of the
drug.
