AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM: STRUCTURE,
FUNCTION, AND PHARMACOLOGY FOR NURSING
|MEDSERG EXAM 2 | GUARANTEED SUCCESS STARTS
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What is the primary role of the autonomic nervous system (ANS)? Answer: To maintain
homeostasis in the body.
What are the two main divisions of the autonomic nervous system? Answer: The
sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS).
What neurotransmitters are primarily associated with the sympathetic nervous system?
Answer: Norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine.
What neurotransmitter is primarily released by the preganglionic neurons of the
sympathetic nervous system? Answer: Acetylcholine (ACh).
What is the function of the parasympathetic nervous system? Answer: It is active during
rest and helps to conserve energy and promote maintenance activities.
What are the major target organs of the autonomic nervous system? Answer: Heart, lungs,
eyes, smooth muscle, and glands.
How does the autonomic nervous system transmit messages to target organs? Answer:
Through a two-neuron system involving preganglionic and postganglionic neurons.
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
1
, What is the function of the spinal cord in the central nervous system (CNS)? Answer: It
sends and receives information to and from designated areas of the body.
What are the four regions of the spinal cord? Answer: Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and
sacral.
What is the role of autonomic reflexes in the body? Answer: To help maintain homeostasis.
What is the difference between the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous
system? Answer: The somatic nervous system controls voluntary movements, while the
autonomic nervous system controls involuntary functions.
What is the significance of the blood-brain barrier? Answer: It protects the brain from
harmful substances in the blood.
What structures protect the brain? Answer: The meninges, blood-brain barrier, and skull.
What is the function of the brain in the nervous system? Answer: It processes sensations,
responses, thoughts, movements, communication, emotions, and memory.
What is the reflex arc? Answer: A neural pathway that controls reflex actions.
What is the role of the sympathetic nervous system during stress? Answer: It prepares the
body for 'fight or flight' responses.
What is the role of the parasympathetic nervous system when the body is not under stress?
Answer: It promotes 'rest and digest' activities.
What is the function of the peripheral nervous system (PNS)? Answer: To link and relay
messages between the CNS and the rest of the body.
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
2
FUNCTION, AND PHARMACOLOGY FOR NURSING
|MEDSERG EXAM 2 | GUARANTEED SUCCESS STARTS
HERE! LEARN, PRACTICE & EXCEL!
What is the primary role of the autonomic nervous system (ANS)? Answer: To maintain
homeostasis in the body.
What are the two main divisions of the autonomic nervous system? Answer: The
sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS).
What neurotransmitters are primarily associated with the sympathetic nervous system?
Answer: Norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine.
What neurotransmitter is primarily released by the preganglionic neurons of the
sympathetic nervous system? Answer: Acetylcholine (ACh).
What is the function of the parasympathetic nervous system? Answer: It is active during
rest and helps to conserve energy and promote maintenance activities.
What are the major target organs of the autonomic nervous system? Answer: Heart, lungs,
eyes, smooth muscle, and glands.
How does the autonomic nervous system transmit messages to target organs? Answer:
Through a two-neuron system involving preganglionic and postganglionic neurons.
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
1
, What is the function of the spinal cord in the central nervous system (CNS)? Answer: It
sends and receives information to and from designated areas of the body.
What are the four regions of the spinal cord? Answer: Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and
sacral.
What is the role of autonomic reflexes in the body? Answer: To help maintain homeostasis.
What is the difference between the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous
system? Answer: The somatic nervous system controls voluntary movements, while the
autonomic nervous system controls involuntary functions.
What is the significance of the blood-brain barrier? Answer: It protects the brain from
harmful substances in the blood.
What structures protect the brain? Answer: The meninges, blood-brain barrier, and skull.
What is the function of the brain in the nervous system? Answer: It processes sensations,
responses, thoughts, movements, communication, emotions, and memory.
What is the reflex arc? Answer: A neural pathway that controls reflex actions.
What is the role of the sympathetic nervous system during stress? Answer: It prepares the
body for 'fight or flight' responses.
What is the role of the parasympathetic nervous system when the body is not under stress?
Answer: It promotes 'rest and digest' activities.
What is the function of the peripheral nervous system (PNS)? Answer: To link and relay
messages between the CNS and the rest of the body.
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
2
