,NUR210/NUR 210 Exam 2 | Principles of Pharmacology
| Galen College | Q & A | 2026/2027 Edition (PDF)
**1. A patient with symptomatic bradycardia (heart rate 42 bpm) is about to receive atropine. The nurse
understands that this medication works by which mechanism?**
A) Stimulating beta-1 adrenergic receptors directly
B) Blocking muscarinic receptors in the sinoatrial node
C) Inhibiting acetylcholinesterase
D) Stimulating nicotinic receptors in the autonomic ganglia
Correct Answer: Blocking muscarinic receptors in the sinoatrial node
Rationale: Atropine is a muscarinic antagonist (anticholinergic) that competitively blocks acetylcholine at
muscarinic receptors in the sinoatrial (SA) node, reducing vagal tone and allowing the SA node to fire
more rapidly, increasing heart rate. Atropine is the first-line drug for symptomatic bradycardia per ACLS
guidelines.
**2. A patient with asthma is prescribed albuterol via a metered-dose inhaler. The nurse explains that
this medication works by which mechanism?**
A) Blocking beta-2 adrenergic receptors in bronchial smooth muscle
B) Stimulating beta-2 adrenergic receptors to cause bronchodilation
C) Blocking muscarinic receptors in the airways
D) Inhibiting the release of histamine from mast cells
Correct Answer: Stimulating beta-2 adrenergic receptors to cause bronchodilation
Rationale: Albuterol is a selective beta-2 adrenergic agonist that stimulates beta-2 receptors in bronchial
smooth muscle, causing bronchodilation. This makes it an effective rescue medication for asthma and
bronchospasm. Stimulating beta-2 receptors relaxes airway smooth muscle.
**3. The nurse is teaching a patient about epinephrine administration via an EpiPen. Which instruction is
correct?**
,A) Inject the EpiPen into the deltoid muscle
B) Inject the EpiPen into the lateral thigh at a 90-degree angle
C) Inject the EpiPen into the abdomen at a 45-degree angle
D) Inject the EpiPen into the gluteal muscle
Correct Answer: Inject the EpiPen into the lateral thigh at a 90-degree angle
Rationale: The EpiPen auto-injector should be injected into the lateral thigh at a 90-degree angle. After
removing the blue cap, the orange end is injected into the lateral thigh until a click is heard, held for 5-
10 seconds, and then removed. The medication is absorbed rapidly from the thigh muscle.
**4. A patient is prescribed metoprolol for hypertension. The nurse understands that this medication is
classified as a:**
A) Beta-1 selective blocker
B) Beta-2 selective blocker
C) Nonselective beta-blocker
D) Alpha-1 blocker
Correct Answer: Beta-1 selective blocker
Rationale: Metoprolol is a cardioselective beta-1 blocker that primarily affects the heart (beta-1
receptors) and has less effect on the lungs (beta-2 receptors). It reduces heart rate, contractility, and
myocardial oxygen demand.
**5. Which assessment finding in a patient taking a nonselective beta-blocker would the nurse report
immediately?**
A) Heart rate of 60 beats/min
B) Blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg
C) Wheezing and shortness of breath
D) Mild headache
, Correct Answer: Wheezing and shortness of breath
Rationale: Nonselective beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol) block both beta-1 and beta-2 receptors, which
can cause bronchoconstriction by blocking beta-2 receptors in the lungs. Wheezing and shortness of
breath indicate bronchospasm and require immediate intervention.
**6. A patient with Parkinson's disease is prescribed levodopa-carbidopa. The nurse understands that
carbidopa is added to:**
A) Increase the effectiveness of levodopa
B) Prevent peripheral breakdown of levodopa
C) Treat the tremors associated with Parkinson's disease
D) Reduce the side effects of levodopa
Correct Answer: Prevent peripheral breakdown of levodopa
Rationale: Carbidopa is a decarboxylase inhibitor that prevents the peripheral breakdown of levodopa,
allowing more levodopa to reach the brain. 99% of levodopa is peripherally converted to dopamine;
carbidopa blocks this conversion, so more dopamine reaches the brain and smaller doses are needed.
**7. The nurse is teaching a patient about benztropine for Parkinson's disease. Which statement by the
patient indicates correct understanding?**
A) "This medication will cure my Parkinson's disease."
B) "This medication works by increasing dopamine levels in my brain."
C) "This medication is an anticholinergic that helps reduce my tremors."
D) "This medication is a dopamine agonist."
Correct Answer: "This medication is an anticholinergic that helps reduce my tremors."
Rationale: Benztropine is an anticholinergic medication that works by decreasing the effects of
acetylcholine in the brain, which helps reduce tremors and muscle rigidity associated with Parkinson's
disease. It does not cure the disease and is not a dopamine agonist.
| Galen College | Q & A | 2026/2027 Edition (PDF)
**1. A patient with symptomatic bradycardia (heart rate 42 bpm) is about to receive atropine. The nurse
understands that this medication works by which mechanism?**
A) Stimulating beta-1 adrenergic receptors directly
B) Blocking muscarinic receptors in the sinoatrial node
C) Inhibiting acetylcholinesterase
D) Stimulating nicotinic receptors in the autonomic ganglia
Correct Answer: Blocking muscarinic receptors in the sinoatrial node
Rationale: Atropine is a muscarinic antagonist (anticholinergic) that competitively blocks acetylcholine at
muscarinic receptors in the sinoatrial (SA) node, reducing vagal tone and allowing the SA node to fire
more rapidly, increasing heart rate. Atropine is the first-line drug for symptomatic bradycardia per ACLS
guidelines.
**2. A patient with asthma is prescribed albuterol via a metered-dose inhaler. The nurse explains that
this medication works by which mechanism?**
A) Blocking beta-2 adrenergic receptors in bronchial smooth muscle
B) Stimulating beta-2 adrenergic receptors to cause bronchodilation
C) Blocking muscarinic receptors in the airways
D) Inhibiting the release of histamine from mast cells
Correct Answer: Stimulating beta-2 adrenergic receptors to cause bronchodilation
Rationale: Albuterol is a selective beta-2 adrenergic agonist that stimulates beta-2 receptors in bronchial
smooth muscle, causing bronchodilation. This makes it an effective rescue medication for asthma and
bronchospasm. Stimulating beta-2 receptors relaxes airway smooth muscle.
**3. The nurse is teaching a patient about epinephrine administration via an EpiPen. Which instruction is
correct?**
,A) Inject the EpiPen into the deltoid muscle
B) Inject the EpiPen into the lateral thigh at a 90-degree angle
C) Inject the EpiPen into the abdomen at a 45-degree angle
D) Inject the EpiPen into the gluteal muscle
Correct Answer: Inject the EpiPen into the lateral thigh at a 90-degree angle
Rationale: The EpiPen auto-injector should be injected into the lateral thigh at a 90-degree angle. After
removing the blue cap, the orange end is injected into the lateral thigh until a click is heard, held for 5-
10 seconds, and then removed. The medication is absorbed rapidly from the thigh muscle.
**4. A patient is prescribed metoprolol for hypertension. The nurse understands that this medication is
classified as a:**
A) Beta-1 selective blocker
B) Beta-2 selective blocker
C) Nonselective beta-blocker
D) Alpha-1 blocker
Correct Answer: Beta-1 selective blocker
Rationale: Metoprolol is a cardioselective beta-1 blocker that primarily affects the heart (beta-1
receptors) and has less effect on the lungs (beta-2 receptors). It reduces heart rate, contractility, and
myocardial oxygen demand.
**5. Which assessment finding in a patient taking a nonselective beta-blocker would the nurse report
immediately?**
A) Heart rate of 60 beats/min
B) Blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg
C) Wheezing and shortness of breath
D) Mild headache
, Correct Answer: Wheezing and shortness of breath
Rationale: Nonselective beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol) block both beta-1 and beta-2 receptors, which
can cause bronchoconstriction by blocking beta-2 receptors in the lungs. Wheezing and shortness of
breath indicate bronchospasm and require immediate intervention.
**6. A patient with Parkinson's disease is prescribed levodopa-carbidopa. The nurse understands that
carbidopa is added to:**
A) Increase the effectiveness of levodopa
B) Prevent peripheral breakdown of levodopa
C) Treat the tremors associated with Parkinson's disease
D) Reduce the side effects of levodopa
Correct Answer: Prevent peripheral breakdown of levodopa
Rationale: Carbidopa is a decarboxylase inhibitor that prevents the peripheral breakdown of levodopa,
allowing more levodopa to reach the brain. 99% of levodopa is peripherally converted to dopamine;
carbidopa blocks this conversion, so more dopamine reaches the brain and smaller doses are needed.
**7. The nurse is teaching a patient about benztropine for Parkinson's disease. Which statement by the
patient indicates correct understanding?**
A) "This medication will cure my Parkinson's disease."
B) "This medication works by increasing dopamine levels in my brain."
C) "This medication is an anticholinergic that helps reduce my tremors."
D) "This medication is a dopamine agonist."
Correct Answer: "This medication is an anticholinergic that helps reduce my tremors."
Rationale: Benztropine is an anticholinergic medication that works by decreasing the effects of
acetylcholine in the brain, which helps reduce tremors and muscle rigidity associated with Parkinson's
disease. It does not cure the disease and is not a dopamine agonist.
