,UTA NURS 3365 Exam 2 | Pharmacology in
Nursing Practice (2026) Q&A
1. Which statement accurately describes the mechanism of action of
epinephrine?
A) It selectively stimulates beta1 receptors, increasing heart rate
B) It stimulates alpha, beta1, and beta2 adrenergic receptors
C) It blocks alpha1 receptors, causing vasodilation
D) It inhibits acetylcholinesterase, increasing acetylcholine
Correct Answer: It stimulates alpha, beta1, and beta2 adrenergic
receptors
Rationale: Epinephrine is a direct-acting catecholamine that stimulates
alpha, beta1, and beta2 adrenergic receptors, mimicking the sympathetic
nervous system. This causes pupil dilation, bronchodilation, increased
heart rate, vasoconstriction, and urinary retention.
2. What is the primary indication for administering epinephrine?
A) Hypertensive crisis
B) Anaphylaxis and cardiac arrest
C) Chronic heart failure
D) Acute bronchospasm prevention
Correct Answer: Anaphylaxis and cardiac arrest
Rationale: Epinephrine is first-line therapy for anaphylaxis and cardiac
arrest due to its alpha and beta stimulatory effects, which cause
vasoconstriction, bronchodilation, and increased cardiac output.
,3. Which medication is the antidote for epinephrine extravasation?
A) Phentolamine
B) Naloxone
C) Atropine
D) Flumazenil
Correct Answer: Phentolamine
Rationale: Phentolamine is an alpha blocker that reverses the
vasoconstrictive effects of epinephrine extravasation. It is injected into the
affected area to cause vasodilation and prevent tissue necrosis.
4. A patient taking prazosin should be educated about which common
adverse effect?
A) Bradycardia
B) Orthostatic hypotension
C) Hyperkalemia
D) Constipation
Correct Answer: Orthostatic hypotension
Rationale: Prazosin is an alpha1 blocker that causes vasodilation,
leading to orthostatic hypotension. Patients should be instructed to rise
slowly in stages and avoid abrupt position changes to prevent falls.
5. Which condition is tamsulosin primarily used to treat?
A) Hypertension
B) Benign prostatic hyperplasia
C) Heart failure
D) Angina
, Correct Answer: Benign prostatic hyperplasia
Rationale: Tamsulosin is an alpha1 blocker that selectively relaxes
smooth muscle in the prostate and bladder neck, improving urine flow in
men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
6. What is the mechanism of action of beta blockers?
A) They stimulate beta receptors to increase heart rate
B) They block sympathetic influence on the heart, reducing cardiac output
C) They block calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle
D) They inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme
Correct Answer: They block sympathetic influence on the heart,
reducing cardiac output
Rationale: Beta blockers block sympathetic stimulation of the heart,
particularly beta1 receptors, reducing heart rate, contractility, and cardiac
output. This lowers blood pressure and reduces myocardial oxygen
demand.
7. Which adverse effect should the nurse monitor for in a patient taking a
nonselective beta blocker?
A) Bronchoconstriction
B) Hyperglycemia
C) Diarrhea
D) Hypertension
Correct Answer: Bronchoconstriction
Nursing Practice (2026) Q&A
1. Which statement accurately describes the mechanism of action of
epinephrine?
A) It selectively stimulates beta1 receptors, increasing heart rate
B) It stimulates alpha, beta1, and beta2 adrenergic receptors
C) It blocks alpha1 receptors, causing vasodilation
D) It inhibits acetylcholinesterase, increasing acetylcholine
Correct Answer: It stimulates alpha, beta1, and beta2 adrenergic
receptors
Rationale: Epinephrine is a direct-acting catecholamine that stimulates
alpha, beta1, and beta2 adrenergic receptors, mimicking the sympathetic
nervous system. This causes pupil dilation, bronchodilation, increased
heart rate, vasoconstriction, and urinary retention.
2. What is the primary indication for administering epinephrine?
A) Hypertensive crisis
B) Anaphylaxis and cardiac arrest
C) Chronic heart failure
D) Acute bronchospasm prevention
Correct Answer: Anaphylaxis and cardiac arrest
Rationale: Epinephrine is first-line therapy for anaphylaxis and cardiac
arrest due to its alpha and beta stimulatory effects, which cause
vasoconstriction, bronchodilation, and increased cardiac output.
,3. Which medication is the antidote for epinephrine extravasation?
A) Phentolamine
B) Naloxone
C) Atropine
D) Flumazenil
Correct Answer: Phentolamine
Rationale: Phentolamine is an alpha blocker that reverses the
vasoconstrictive effects of epinephrine extravasation. It is injected into the
affected area to cause vasodilation and prevent tissue necrosis.
4. A patient taking prazosin should be educated about which common
adverse effect?
A) Bradycardia
B) Orthostatic hypotension
C) Hyperkalemia
D) Constipation
Correct Answer: Orthostatic hypotension
Rationale: Prazosin is an alpha1 blocker that causes vasodilation,
leading to orthostatic hypotension. Patients should be instructed to rise
slowly in stages and avoid abrupt position changes to prevent falls.
5. Which condition is tamsulosin primarily used to treat?
A) Hypertension
B) Benign prostatic hyperplasia
C) Heart failure
D) Angina
, Correct Answer: Benign prostatic hyperplasia
Rationale: Tamsulosin is an alpha1 blocker that selectively relaxes
smooth muscle in the prostate and bladder neck, improving urine flow in
men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
6. What is the mechanism of action of beta blockers?
A) They stimulate beta receptors to increase heart rate
B) They block sympathetic influence on the heart, reducing cardiac output
C) They block calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle
D) They inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme
Correct Answer: They block sympathetic influence on the heart,
reducing cardiac output
Rationale: Beta blockers block sympathetic stimulation of the heart,
particularly beta1 receptors, reducing heart rate, contractility, and cardiac
output. This lowers blood pressure and reduces myocardial oxygen
demand.
7. Which adverse effect should the nurse monitor for in a patient taking a
nonselective beta blocker?
A) Bronchoconstriction
B) Hyperglycemia
C) Diarrhea
D) Hypertension
Correct Answer: Bronchoconstriction
