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P A R T 5
 Drugs acting on the autonomic nervous system
C H E C K Y O U R U N D E R S T A N D I N G
Answers to the questions in this chapter can be found in
Appendix A at the back of this book.
MULTIPLE CHOICE
Select the best answer to the following.
1.
The instructor determines that teaching about
adrenergic drugs has been successful when the class
identifies the drugs as also being called:
a.
sympatholytic agents.
b.
cholinergic agents.
c.
sympathomimetic agents.
d.
anticholinergic agents.
2.
The adrenergic agent of choice for treating the signs
and symptoms of allergic rhinitis is:
a.
noradrenaline.
b.
phenylephrine.
c.
dobutamine.
d.
dopamine.
3.
An adrenergic agent being used to treat shock
infiltrates into the tissue with intravenous
administration. Which action would be most
appropriate?
a.
Watch the area for any signs of necrosis and
report it to the doctor.
b.
Notify the doctor and decrease the rate of
infusion.
c.
Remove the IV and prepare phentolamine for
administration to the area.
d.
Apply ice and elevate the arm.
4.
Phenylephrine, an alpha-specific agonist, is found in
many cold and allergy preparations. The nurse or
midwife instructs the person to be alert for which
adverse effects?
a.
urinary retention and pupil constriction
b.
hypotension and slow heart rate
c.
personality changes and increased appetite
d.
cardiac arrhythmias and difficulty urinating
5.
Adverse effects associated with adrenergic agonists
are related to the generalised stimulation of the
sympathetic nervous system and could include:
a.
slowed heart rate.
b.
constriction of the pupils.
c.
hypertension.
d.
increased GI secretions.
6.
A person has elected to take an OTC cold
preparation that contains phenylephrine. The nurse
or midwife would advise the person not to take that
drug if the person has:
a.
thyroid or cardiovascular disease.
b.
a cough and runny nose.
c.
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
d.
hypotension.
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
Select all that apply.
1.
Isoprenaline is a non-specific beta-agonist. The
nurse or midwife might expect to administer this
drug for which of the following conditions?
a.
preterm labour
b.
bronchospasm
c.
cardiac standstill
d.
shock
e.
heart block in transplanted hearts
f.
heart failure
2.
A nurse or midwife would question the order for an
adrenergic agonist for a person who is also receiving
which of the following:
a.
anticholinergic drugs
b.
halogenated hydrocarbon anaesthetics
c.
beta-blockers
d.
benzodiazepines
e.
MAO inhibitors
f.
tricyclic antidepressants
