Unit 4 Review
1. A prescriber has ordered pilocarpine [Pilocar]. A nurse understands that the drug stimulates
muscarinic receptors and would expect the drug to have which action?
a. Reduction of excessive secretions in a postoperative patient
b. Lowering of intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma
c. Inhibition of muscular activity in the bladder
d. Prevention of hypertensive crisis
2. A prescriber has ordered bethanechol [Urecholine] for a postoperative patient who has urinary
retention. The nurse reviews the patient’s chart before giving the drug. Which part of the patient’s history would
be a contraindication to using this drug?
a. Asthma as a child
b. Gastroesophageal reflux
c. Hypertension
d. Hypothyroidism
3. The nurse is teaching a patient who is newly diagnosed with myasthenia gravis about managing
the disease. Which is important when teaching this patient about adverse effects of cholinesterase inhibitors?
a. “There are very few serious side effects associated with your medication.”
b. “It is important to notify your provider if you have excessive saliva.”
c. “If you experience urinary urgency, you may need to increase your dose.”
d. “Excessive sweating is a minor side effect and will improve over time.”
4. A nurse is teaching parents how to use an EpiPen for their child, who has a peanut allergy.
Which statement by the parents indicates understanding of the teaching?
a. “After using the EpiPen, we must go to the emergency department.”
b. “The EpiPen should be stored in the refrigerator, because epinephrine is sensitive to heat.”
c. “The teacher should call us when symptoms start so that we can bring the EpiPen to school.”
d. “We should jab the device into the thigh until it is empty of solution.”
5. Because they cause vasoconstriction, alpha1-adrenergic agonists are especially useful for:
a. causing hemostasis in skin and mucous membranes.
b. producing mydriasis to facilitate ophthalmic examinations.
c. slowing the heart rate in tachycardic patients.
d. treating hypotension.
, 6. A patient with type 1 diabetes is taking NPH insulin, 30 units every day. A nurse notes that the
patient is also taking metoprolol [Lopressor]. What education should the nurse provide to the patient?
a. “Metoprolol has no effect on diabetes mellitus or on your insulin requirements.”
b. “Metoprolol interferes with the effects of insulin, so you may need to increase your insulin dose.”
c. “Metoprolol may mask signs of hypoglycemia, so you need to monitor your blood glucose closely.”
d. “Metoprolol may potentiate the effects of the insulin, so the dose should be reduced.”
7. A patient with migraines is started on a beta blocker. The nurse explains the benefits of taking
the medication for migraines. Which statement by the patient indicates an understanding of the medication’s
effects?
a. “I need to take it every day to reduce the frequency of migraines.”
b. “I will take it as needed to get relief from migraines.”
c. “I will take it to shorten the duration of my migraines.”
d. “I will take this drug when a migraine starts.”
8. The nurse is aware that adrenergic drugs produce effects similar to which of these nervous
systems?
a. Central nervous system
b. Somatic nervous system
c. Sympathetic nervous system
d. Parasympathetic nervous system
9. When a patient is taking an adrenergic drug, the nurse expects to observe which effect?
a. Increased heart rate
b. Bronchial constriction
c. Constricted pupils
d. Increased intestinal peristalsis
10. An adrenergic agonist is ordered for a patient in shock. The nurse will note that this drug has
had its primary intended effect if which expected outcome occurs?
a. Volume restoration
b. Increased cardiac output
c. Decreased urine output
d. Reduced anxiety
1. A prescriber has ordered pilocarpine [Pilocar]. A nurse understands that the drug stimulates
muscarinic receptors and would expect the drug to have which action?
a. Reduction of excessive secretions in a postoperative patient
b. Lowering of intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma
c. Inhibition of muscular activity in the bladder
d. Prevention of hypertensive crisis
2. A prescriber has ordered bethanechol [Urecholine] for a postoperative patient who has urinary
retention. The nurse reviews the patient’s chart before giving the drug. Which part of the patient’s history would
be a contraindication to using this drug?
a. Asthma as a child
b. Gastroesophageal reflux
c. Hypertension
d. Hypothyroidism
3. The nurse is teaching a patient who is newly diagnosed with myasthenia gravis about managing
the disease. Which is important when teaching this patient about adverse effects of cholinesterase inhibitors?
a. “There are very few serious side effects associated with your medication.”
b. “It is important to notify your provider if you have excessive saliva.”
c. “If you experience urinary urgency, you may need to increase your dose.”
d. “Excessive sweating is a minor side effect and will improve over time.”
4. A nurse is teaching parents how to use an EpiPen for their child, who has a peanut allergy.
Which statement by the parents indicates understanding of the teaching?
a. “After using the EpiPen, we must go to the emergency department.”
b. “The EpiPen should be stored in the refrigerator, because epinephrine is sensitive to heat.”
c. “The teacher should call us when symptoms start so that we can bring the EpiPen to school.”
d. “We should jab the device into the thigh until it is empty of solution.”
5. Because they cause vasoconstriction, alpha1-adrenergic agonists are especially useful for:
a. causing hemostasis in skin and mucous membranes.
b. producing mydriasis to facilitate ophthalmic examinations.
c. slowing the heart rate in tachycardic patients.
d. treating hypotension.
, 6. A patient with type 1 diabetes is taking NPH insulin, 30 units every day. A nurse notes that the
patient is also taking metoprolol [Lopressor]. What education should the nurse provide to the patient?
a. “Metoprolol has no effect on diabetes mellitus or on your insulin requirements.”
b. “Metoprolol interferes with the effects of insulin, so you may need to increase your insulin dose.”
c. “Metoprolol may mask signs of hypoglycemia, so you need to monitor your blood glucose closely.”
d. “Metoprolol may potentiate the effects of the insulin, so the dose should be reduced.”
7. A patient with migraines is started on a beta blocker. The nurse explains the benefits of taking
the medication for migraines. Which statement by the patient indicates an understanding of the medication’s
effects?
a. “I need to take it every day to reduce the frequency of migraines.”
b. “I will take it as needed to get relief from migraines.”
c. “I will take it to shorten the duration of my migraines.”
d. “I will take this drug when a migraine starts.”
8. The nurse is aware that adrenergic drugs produce effects similar to which of these nervous
systems?
a. Central nervous system
b. Somatic nervous system
c. Sympathetic nervous system
d. Parasympathetic nervous system
9. When a patient is taking an adrenergic drug, the nurse expects to observe which effect?
a. Increased heart rate
b. Bronchial constriction
c. Constricted pupils
d. Increased intestinal peristalsis
10. An adrenergic agonist is ordered for a patient in shock. The nurse will note that this drug has
had its primary intended effect if which expected outcome occurs?
a. Volume restoration
b. Increased cardiac output
c. Decreased urine output
d. Reduced anxiety
