1 | Page
EDAPT: Drugs Affecting the Autonomic
Nervous System Questions and Answers
Latest Update
Adrenergic drugs produce effects similar to which nervous system? Ans:
Sympathetic nervous system
There are __________ types of adrenergic receptors in the body. Ans: Three
__________ receptors only respond to dopamine. Ans: Dopaminergic
Drag the descriptions and locations of each receptor to match with the
receptor type. Ans: Alpha-1-adrenergic receptors:
• Located on postsynaptic effector cells.
• The cell, muscle, or organ that the nerve stimulates.
Alpha-2-adrenergic receptors:
• Located on presynaptic nerve terminals.
• The nerve that stimulates the effector cells.
Adrenergic drugs can be classified as selective or nonselective based on
their __________. Ans: Action
Select the type of sympathomimetic to match each description in this table.
Ans: Direct-Acting Sympathomimetic:
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
• Binds directly to the receptor and causes a physiologic response.
Indirect-Acting Sympathomimetic:
• Causes release of catecholamine from storage sites (vesicles) in nerve
endings
• Catecholamine then binds to receptors and causes a physiologic response
Mixed-Acting Sympathomimetic:
• Directly stimulates the receptor by binding to it
• Indirectly stimulates the receptor by causing the release of stored
neurotransmitters from vesicles in the nerve endings
Naturally occurring catecholamines include which of the following? Select all
that apply. Ans: Epinephrine
Dopamine
Norepinephrine
Which drug class interacts with adrenergic drugs? Ans: Monoamine oxidase
(MAO) inhibitors
When a client is taking an adrenergic drug, which assessment finding is
expected? Ans: Increased heart rate
Adrenergic drugs cause relaxation of the bronchi and bronchodilation by
stimulating which type of receptors? Ans: Beta-2 adrenergic
Epinephrine is appropriate for __________. Ans: Cardiac arrest
Which is the correct technique for administering dopamine? Ans:
Continuous intravenous (IV) infusion with an infusion pump.
© 2025 All rights reserved
EDAPT: Drugs Affecting the Autonomic
Nervous System Questions and Answers
Latest Update
Adrenergic drugs produce effects similar to which nervous system? Ans:
Sympathetic nervous system
There are __________ types of adrenergic receptors in the body. Ans: Three
__________ receptors only respond to dopamine. Ans: Dopaminergic
Drag the descriptions and locations of each receptor to match with the
receptor type. Ans: Alpha-1-adrenergic receptors:
• Located on postsynaptic effector cells.
• The cell, muscle, or organ that the nerve stimulates.
Alpha-2-adrenergic receptors:
• Located on presynaptic nerve terminals.
• The nerve that stimulates the effector cells.
Adrenergic drugs can be classified as selective or nonselective based on
their __________. Ans: Action
Select the type of sympathomimetic to match each description in this table.
Ans: Direct-Acting Sympathomimetic:
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
• Binds directly to the receptor and causes a physiologic response.
Indirect-Acting Sympathomimetic:
• Causes release of catecholamine from storage sites (vesicles) in nerve
endings
• Catecholamine then binds to receptors and causes a physiologic response
Mixed-Acting Sympathomimetic:
• Directly stimulates the receptor by binding to it
• Indirectly stimulates the receptor by causing the release of stored
neurotransmitters from vesicles in the nerve endings
Naturally occurring catecholamines include which of the following? Select all
that apply. Ans: Epinephrine
Dopamine
Norepinephrine
Which drug class interacts with adrenergic drugs? Ans: Monoamine oxidase
(MAO) inhibitors
When a client is taking an adrenergic drug, which assessment finding is
expected? Ans: Increased heart rate
Adrenergic drugs cause relaxation of the bronchi and bronchodilation by
stimulating which type of receptors? Ans: Beta-2 adrenergic
Epinephrine is appropriate for __________. Ans: Cardiac arrest
Which is the correct technique for administering dopamine? Ans:
Continuous intravenous (IV) infusion with an infusion pump.
© 2025 All rights reserved