NUR 210 Exam 2 | Principles of Pharmacology (2026) Q&A |
Galen College
1. A nurse is preparing to administer epinephrine to a patient experiencing anaphylactic shock.
Which condition represents a contraindication for epinephrine use?
A) Bradycardia
B) Hypotension
C) Glaucoma
D) Status asthmaticus
Correct Answer: Glaucoma
Rationale: Epinephrine is an adrenergic agonist that can increase intraocular pressure, making it
contraindicated in patients with glaucoma. It is indicated for cardiac arrest, anaphylaxis, and
status asthmaticus. Tachycardia, not bradycardia, is a side effect, and hypotension is an
indication for use.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient prescribed epinephrine. Which assessment finding indicates an
expected therapeutic effect of this medication?
A) Decreased heart rate
B) Bronchoconstriction
C) Increased blood pressure
D) Pupillary constriction
Correct Answer: Increased blood pressure
Rationale: Epinephrine stimulates alpha-1 receptors, causing vasoconstriction and increased
blood pressure. It also stimulates beta-1 receptors (increased heart rate and contractility) and
,beta-2 receptors (bronchodilation). It does not cause bronchoconstriction or pupillary
constriction.
3. A patient receiving epinephrine should be monitored for which adverse effect related to beta-
2 receptor stimulation?
A) Hypoglycemia
B) Hyperglycemia
C) Hypokalemia
D) Hyponatremia
Correct Answer: Hyperglycemia
Rationale: Beta-2 stimulation by epinephrine activates liver glycogenolysis, releasing glucose
and causing hyperglycemia. Blood glucose should be monitored closely in diabetic patients
receiving epinephrine.
4. A nurse is teaching a patient about proper storage of an EpiPen. Which instruction is correct?
A) "Store the EpiPen in the refrigerator to maintain potency."
B) "Keep the EpiPen in a cool, dark place at room temperature."
C) "Store the EpiPen in the glove compartment of your car."
D) "The EpiPen can be stored in direct sunlight."
Correct Answer: "Keep the EpiPen in a cool, dark place at room temperature."
Rationale: EpiPens should NOT be refrigerated; they should be stored in a cool, dark place at
room temperature. Refrigeration can damage the medication. Extreme temperatures should be
avoided.
,5. Which statement accurately describes the sympathetic nervous system?
A) It is responsible for the "rest and digest" response.
B) It is responsible for the "fight or flight" response.
C) It promotes digestion and elimination.
D) It decreases heart rate and blood pressure.
Correct Answer: It is responsible for the "fight or flight" response.
Rationale: The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the "fight or flight" response,
which prepares the body for stressful or threatening situations. The parasympathetic system is
responsible for "rest and digest."
6. Which response is stimulated by the parasympathetic nervous system?
A) Increased heart rate
B) Bronchodilation
C) Pupillary dilation
D) Increased gastrointestinal motility
Correct Answer: Increased gastrointestinal motility
Rationale: The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for "rest and digest" functions,
including increased gastrointestinal motility and digestion. Increased heart rate,
bronchodilation, and pupillary dilation are sympathetic responses.
7. A nurse is teaching a patient about beta-2 receptors. Which statement accurately describes
the location and effect of these receptors?
A) Located in the heart; increase heart rate
B) Located in the lungs; cause bronchodilation
, C) Located in blood vessels; cause vasoconstriction
D) Located in the bladder; cause urinary retention
Correct Answer: Located in the lungs; cause bronchodilation
Rationale: Beta-2 receptors are primarily located in the lungs (bronchial smooth muscle) and
peripheral blood vessels. Stimulation of beta-2 receptors results in relaxation of bronchial
smooth muscle, leading to bronchodilation.
8. Stimulation of beta-2 receptors in the lungs results in which effect?
A) Bronchoconstriction
B) Bronchodilation
C) Increased mucus production
D) Decreased oxygen absorption
Correct Answer: Bronchodilation
Rationale: Stimulation of beta-2 receptors in the lungs results in relaxation of bronchial smooth
muscle, leading to bronchodilation and improved airflow. This is the basis for using beta-2
agonists in asthma and COPD.
9. A patient is prescribed a non-selective beta-blocker. Which adverse effect should the nurse
monitor for?
A) Tachycardia
B) Bronchoconstriction
C) Hypotension
D) Hyperglycemia
Galen College
1. A nurse is preparing to administer epinephrine to a patient experiencing anaphylactic shock.
Which condition represents a contraindication for epinephrine use?
A) Bradycardia
B) Hypotension
C) Glaucoma
D) Status asthmaticus
Correct Answer: Glaucoma
Rationale: Epinephrine is an adrenergic agonist that can increase intraocular pressure, making it
contraindicated in patients with glaucoma. It is indicated for cardiac arrest, anaphylaxis, and
status asthmaticus. Tachycardia, not bradycardia, is a side effect, and hypotension is an
indication for use.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient prescribed epinephrine. Which assessment finding indicates an
expected therapeutic effect of this medication?
A) Decreased heart rate
B) Bronchoconstriction
C) Increased blood pressure
D) Pupillary constriction
Correct Answer: Increased blood pressure
Rationale: Epinephrine stimulates alpha-1 receptors, causing vasoconstriction and increased
blood pressure. It also stimulates beta-1 receptors (increased heart rate and contractility) and
,beta-2 receptors (bronchodilation). It does not cause bronchoconstriction or pupillary
constriction.
3. A patient receiving epinephrine should be monitored for which adverse effect related to beta-
2 receptor stimulation?
A) Hypoglycemia
B) Hyperglycemia
C) Hypokalemia
D) Hyponatremia
Correct Answer: Hyperglycemia
Rationale: Beta-2 stimulation by epinephrine activates liver glycogenolysis, releasing glucose
and causing hyperglycemia. Blood glucose should be monitored closely in diabetic patients
receiving epinephrine.
4. A nurse is teaching a patient about proper storage of an EpiPen. Which instruction is correct?
A) "Store the EpiPen in the refrigerator to maintain potency."
B) "Keep the EpiPen in a cool, dark place at room temperature."
C) "Store the EpiPen in the glove compartment of your car."
D) "The EpiPen can be stored in direct sunlight."
Correct Answer: "Keep the EpiPen in a cool, dark place at room temperature."
Rationale: EpiPens should NOT be refrigerated; they should be stored in a cool, dark place at
room temperature. Refrigeration can damage the medication. Extreme temperatures should be
avoided.
,5. Which statement accurately describes the sympathetic nervous system?
A) It is responsible for the "rest and digest" response.
B) It is responsible for the "fight or flight" response.
C) It promotes digestion and elimination.
D) It decreases heart rate and blood pressure.
Correct Answer: It is responsible for the "fight or flight" response.
Rationale: The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the "fight or flight" response,
which prepares the body for stressful or threatening situations. The parasympathetic system is
responsible for "rest and digest."
6. Which response is stimulated by the parasympathetic nervous system?
A) Increased heart rate
B) Bronchodilation
C) Pupillary dilation
D) Increased gastrointestinal motility
Correct Answer: Increased gastrointestinal motility
Rationale: The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for "rest and digest" functions,
including increased gastrointestinal motility and digestion. Increased heart rate,
bronchodilation, and pupillary dilation are sympathetic responses.
7. A nurse is teaching a patient about beta-2 receptors. Which statement accurately describes
the location and effect of these receptors?
A) Located in the heart; increase heart rate
B) Located in the lungs; cause bronchodilation
, C) Located in blood vessels; cause vasoconstriction
D) Located in the bladder; cause urinary retention
Correct Answer: Located in the lungs; cause bronchodilation
Rationale: Beta-2 receptors are primarily located in the lungs (bronchial smooth muscle) and
peripheral blood vessels. Stimulation of beta-2 receptors results in relaxation of bronchial
smooth muscle, leading to bronchodilation.
8. Stimulation of beta-2 receptors in the lungs results in which effect?
A) Bronchoconstriction
B) Bronchodilation
C) Increased mucus production
D) Decreased oxygen absorption
Correct Answer: Bronchodilation
Rationale: Stimulation of beta-2 receptors in the lungs results in relaxation of bronchial smooth
muscle, leading to bronchodilation and improved airflow. This is the basis for using beta-2
agonists in asthma and COPD.
9. A patient is prescribed a non-selective beta-blocker. Which adverse effect should the nurse
monitor for?
A) Tachycardia
B) Bronchoconstriction
C) Hypotension
D) Hyperglycemia
