LEHNE PHARM PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE QUESTION AND
ANSWERS WELL VERIFIED WITH RATIONALES
EXAM |GRADED A+
1. Which of the following is the primary neurotransmitter released at all
autonomic ganglia?
A. Dopamine
B. Norepinephrine
C. Acetylcholine
D. Serotonin
Correct Answer: C. Acetylcholine
Rationale: All preganglionic neurons of both sympathetic and
parasympathetic systems release acetylcholine acting on nicotinic receptors.
2. Muscarinic receptors are primarily associated with:
A. Ligand-gated ion channels
B. G-protein coupled receptors
C. Tyrosine kinase activity
D. Nuclear hormone receptors
Correct Answer: B. G-protein coupled receptors
Rationale: Muscarinic receptors are GPCRs mediating slower, modulatory
parasympathetic effects.
3. Which receptor subtype mediates skeletal muscle contraction at the
neuromuscular junction?
A. Nicotinic neuronal (Nn)
B. Muscarinic M2
C. Nicotinic muscle (Nm)
D. Adrenergic alpha-1
Correct Answer: C. Nicotinic muscle (Nm)
, Rationale: Nm receptors are located at neuromuscular junctions and trigger
muscle contraction.
4. Acetylcholine is broken down in the synaptic cleft primarily by:
A. Monoamine oxidase
B. Catechol-O-methyltransferase
C. Acetylcholinesterase
D. Dopamine β-hydroxylase
Correct Answer: C. Acetylcholinesterase
Rationale: Acetylcholinesterase rapidly hydrolyzes acetylcholine into acetate
and choline.
5. Which drug is a reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor?
A. Atropine
B. Neostigmine
C. Rocuronium
D. Epinephrine
Correct Answer: B. Neostigmine
Rationale: Neostigmine inhibits acetylcholinesterase reversibly, increasing
ACh levels.
6. Atropine primarily acts as a:
A. Nicotinic agonist
B. Muscarinic antagonist
C. Adrenergic agonist
D. Ganglionic blocker
Correct Answer: B. Muscarinic antagonist
Rationale: Atropine blocks muscarinic receptors, reducing parasympathetic
effects.
7. Which of the following is a direct-acting muscarinic agonist?
A. Pilocarpine
B. Neostigmine
C. Physostigmine
D. Edrophonium
, Correct Answer: A. Pilocarpine
Rationale: Pilocarpine directly stimulates muscarinic receptors.
8. Which receptor is predominantly found in autonomic ganglia?
A. M3
B. Nn
C. Nm
D. Beta-2
Correct Answer: B. Nn
Rationale: Nicotinic neuronal receptors are located in autonomic ganglia.
9. Which adrenergic receptor mediates vasoconstriction?
A. Beta-2
B. Alpha-1
C. Beta-1
D. D1
Correct Answer: B. Alpha-1
Rationale: Alpha-1 receptors cause vascular smooth muscle contraction.
10.Which neurotransmitter is primarily released by sympathetic postganglionic
neurons?
A. Acetylcholine
B. Dopamine
C. Norepinephrine
D. Serotonin
Correct Answer: C. Norepinephrine
Rationale: Most sympathetic postganglionic neurons release
norepinephrine.
11.Which drug is a non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocker?
A. Succinylcholine
B. Rocuronium
C. Pilocarpine
D. Atropine
Correct Answer: B. Rocuronium
PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE QUESTION AND
ANSWERS WELL VERIFIED WITH RATIONALES
EXAM |GRADED A+
1. Which of the following is the primary neurotransmitter released at all
autonomic ganglia?
A. Dopamine
B. Norepinephrine
C. Acetylcholine
D. Serotonin
Correct Answer: C. Acetylcholine
Rationale: All preganglionic neurons of both sympathetic and
parasympathetic systems release acetylcholine acting on nicotinic receptors.
2. Muscarinic receptors are primarily associated with:
A. Ligand-gated ion channels
B. G-protein coupled receptors
C. Tyrosine kinase activity
D. Nuclear hormone receptors
Correct Answer: B. G-protein coupled receptors
Rationale: Muscarinic receptors are GPCRs mediating slower, modulatory
parasympathetic effects.
3. Which receptor subtype mediates skeletal muscle contraction at the
neuromuscular junction?
A. Nicotinic neuronal (Nn)
B. Muscarinic M2
C. Nicotinic muscle (Nm)
D. Adrenergic alpha-1
Correct Answer: C. Nicotinic muscle (Nm)
, Rationale: Nm receptors are located at neuromuscular junctions and trigger
muscle contraction.
4. Acetylcholine is broken down in the synaptic cleft primarily by:
A. Monoamine oxidase
B. Catechol-O-methyltransferase
C. Acetylcholinesterase
D. Dopamine β-hydroxylase
Correct Answer: C. Acetylcholinesterase
Rationale: Acetylcholinesterase rapidly hydrolyzes acetylcholine into acetate
and choline.
5. Which drug is a reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor?
A. Atropine
B. Neostigmine
C. Rocuronium
D. Epinephrine
Correct Answer: B. Neostigmine
Rationale: Neostigmine inhibits acetylcholinesterase reversibly, increasing
ACh levels.
6. Atropine primarily acts as a:
A. Nicotinic agonist
B. Muscarinic antagonist
C. Adrenergic agonist
D. Ganglionic blocker
Correct Answer: B. Muscarinic antagonist
Rationale: Atropine blocks muscarinic receptors, reducing parasympathetic
effects.
7. Which of the following is a direct-acting muscarinic agonist?
A. Pilocarpine
B. Neostigmine
C. Physostigmine
D. Edrophonium
, Correct Answer: A. Pilocarpine
Rationale: Pilocarpine directly stimulates muscarinic receptors.
8. Which receptor is predominantly found in autonomic ganglia?
A. M3
B. Nn
C. Nm
D. Beta-2
Correct Answer: B. Nn
Rationale: Nicotinic neuronal receptors are located in autonomic ganglia.
9. Which adrenergic receptor mediates vasoconstriction?
A. Beta-2
B. Alpha-1
C. Beta-1
D. D1
Correct Answer: B. Alpha-1
Rationale: Alpha-1 receptors cause vascular smooth muscle contraction.
10.Which neurotransmitter is primarily released by sympathetic postganglionic
neurons?
A. Acetylcholine
B. Dopamine
C. Norepinephrine
D. Serotonin
Correct Answer: C. Norepinephrine
Rationale: Most sympathetic postganglionic neurons release
norepinephrine.
11.Which drug is a non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocker?
A. Succinylcholine
B. Rocuronium
C. Pilocarpine
D. Atropine
Correct Answer: B. Rocuronium
