adrenergic agonists (alpha and beta) - Sheet1 (1)

Question 1

What are adrenergic agonists also known as?

Answer 1

Sympathomimetics

Question 2

What do adrenergic agonists activate?

Answer 2

Sympathetic receptors in the sympathetic nervous system

Question 3

Name some drugs that are adrenergic agonists.

Answer 3

Norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine

Question 4

What response do adrenergic agonists induce?

Answer 4

Fight-or-flight response

Question 5

What receptors do adrenergic agonists act on?

Answer 5

Alpha and Beta receptors

Question 6

What can be the effects of adrenergic agonists?

Answer 6

Therapeutic or adverse, depending on the patient’s condition

Question 7

What does an alpha1 adrenergic agonist do?

Answer 7

It affects vascular tissue and smooth muscle.

Question 8

What are the effects of alpha1 adrenergic agonists on the heart?

Answer 8

Increases the force of heart contraction.

Question 9

How does an alpha1 adrenergic agonist affect blood pressure?

Answer 9

Causes vasoconstriction, which increases blood pressure.

Question 10

What effect does an alpha1 adrenergic agonist have on pupils?

Answer 10

Dilates pupils (mydriasis).

Question 11

How does an alpha1 adrenergic agonist affect GI secretions?

Answer 11

Decreases GI secretions.

Question 12

What effect does an alpha1 adrenergic agonist have on the bladder and prostate?

Answer 12

Increases contraction of the bladder and prostate.

Question 13

What is the effect of a beta1 adrenergic agonist on the heart?

Answer 13

Increases heart rate and force of contraction.

Question 14

What effect does a beta1 adrenergic agonist have on blood pressure?

Answer 14

Increases blood pressure.

Question 15

What does a beta1 adrenergic agonist stimulate in the kidneys?

Answer 15

Increases renin secretion.

Question 16

Where do alpha2 adrenergic agonists act?

Answer 16

On sympathetic nerve endings.

Question 17

What does an alpha2 adrenergic agonist do to norepinephrine?

Answer 17

Decreases norepinephrine release.

Question 18

How does an alpha2 adrenergic agonist affect blood pressure?

Answer 18

Causes vasodilation, which lowers blood pressure.

Question 19

What effect does an alpha2 adrenergic agonist have on GI motility?

Answer 19

Decreases GI motility.

Question 20

What are the effects of a beta2 adrenergic agonist on the lungs?

Answer 20

Dilates bronchioles.

Question 21

What effect does a beta2 adrenergic agonist have on the uterine muscles?

Answer 21

Causes relaxation.

Question 22

How does a beta2 adrenergic agonist affect arterioles in skeletal muscles, heart, and lungs?

Answer 22

Causes vasodilation.

Question 23

What effect does a beta2 adrenergic agonist have on blood sugar?

Answer 23

Increases blood sugar through glycogenolysis.

Question 24

What does a dopamine agonist do to the kidneys?

Answer 24

Causes renal vasodilation, increasing renal perfusion.

Question 25

What are catecholamines?

Answer 25

Adrenergic agonists that are short-acting and must be given IV.

Question 26

What are some catecholamine drugs?

Answer 26

Epinephrine, dopamine, dobutamine, isoproterenol, norepinephrine

Question 27

What are noncatecholamines?

Answer 27

Adrenergic agonists that have longer duration and can be given orally.

Question 28

What are some noncatecholamine drugs?

Answer 28

Albuterol, ephedrine

Question 29

What receptors does epinephrine act on?

Answer 29

Alpha1, Beta1, Beta2

Question 30

What are the alpha1 effects of epinephrine?

Answer 30

Vasoconstriction, increased BP, slowed absorption of local anesthesia, decreased nasal congestion, and reduced superficial bleeding.

Question 31

What are the beta1 effects of epinephrine?

Answer 31

Increased HR, myocardial contractility, AV node conduction, cardiac output, and tissue perfusion.

Question 32

What conditions does epinephrine treat?

Answer 32

Anaphylactic shock, cardiac arrest, AV block, heart failure, shock.

Question 33

What receptors does dopamine act on at a low dose?

Answer 33

Dopamine receptors (renal blood vessel dilation).

Question 34

What conditions is low-dose dopamine used for?

Answer 34

Shock, heart failure, acute kidney injury.

Question 35

What receptors does dopamine act on at a moderate dose?

Answer 35

Dopamine + Beta1

Question 36

What effects does moderate-dose dopamine have?

Answer 36

Renal blood vessel dilation, increased HR, contractility, AV node conduction.

Question 37

What conditions is moderate-dose dopamine used for?

Answer 37

Shock, heart failure.

Question 38

What receptors does dopamine act on at a high dose?

Answer 38

Dopamine + Beta1 + Alpha1

Question 39

What effects does high-dose dopamine have?

Answer 39

Renal vasodilation, increased HR, contractility, AV node conduction, vasoconstriction, mydriasis.

Question 40

What conditions is high-dose dopamine used for?

Answer 40

Shock, heart failure.

Question 41

What receptor does dobutamine act on?

Answer 41

Beta1

Question 42

What effects does dobutamine have?

Answer 42

Increased heart rate, myocardial contraction, cardiac output, and AV node conduction.

Question 43

What condition is dobutamine used to treat?

Answer 43

Heart failure.

Question 44

How are adrenergic agonists administered?

Answer 44

IV continuous infusion with an IV pump.

Question 45

How should adrenergic agonist doses be adjusted?

Answer 45

Titrated based on BP.

Question 46

What should be monitored during adrenergic agonist therapy?

Answer 46

EKG, BP, chest pain, cardiac output, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, central venous pressure, urine output.

Question 47

Why is urine output monitored with adrenergic agonists?

Answer 47

Indicates effective perfusion (≥ 30 mL/hr is ideal).

Question 48

What blood sugar complication can adrenergic agonists cause?

Answer 48

Hyperglycemia (especially epinephrine, isoproterenol, and albuterol).

Question 49

What is a major risk of alpha1 activation?

Answer 49

Hypertensive crisis, leading to cerebral hemorrhage.

Question 50

What should be monitored to prevent hypertensive crisis?

Answer 50

EKG and BP.

Question 51

What is a major risk of beta1 activation?

Answer 51

Dysrhythmias and angina due to increased cardiac workload and oxygen demand.

Question 52

What should be monitored for beta1 activation complications?

Answer 52

Urine output, EKG, BP, chest pain (angina).

Question 53

What is a major risk of extravasation of alpha1 agonists?

Answer 53

Necrosis due to vasoconstriction.

Question 54

What drug is used to counteract necrosis from alpha1 agonists?

Answer 54

Phentolamine (alpha blocker).

Question 55

What drugs interact with adrenergic agonists?

Answer 55

MAOIs, tricyclic antidepressants, general anesthesia.

Question 56

What drugs block adrenergic agonist effects?

Answer 56

Alpha and beta blockers.

Question 57

What are examples of centrally-acting alpha2 agonists?

Answer 57

Clonidine, Guanfacine, Methyldopa

Question 58

What are centrally-acting alpha2 agonists used for?

Answer 58

Hypertension (HTN), severe pain, ADHD

Question 59

Why are centrally-acting alpha2 agonists used for ADHD?

Answer 59

They help counteract stimulants and amphetamines, making it easier to sleep.

Question 60

What are the effects of centrally-acting alpha2 agonists?

Answer 60

Bradycardia, decreased cardiac output, vasodilation.

Question 61

What are common adverse effects of centrally-acting alpha2 agonists?

Answer 61

Drowsiness/sedation, xerostomia (dry mouth), rebound hypertension, constipation, impotence, gynecomastia, CNS effects.

Question 62

What is an important caution for using centrally-acting alpha2 agonists?

Answer 62

Pregnancy.

Question 63

Which centrally-acting alpha2 agonist is safe during pregnancy and lactation?

Answer 63

Methyldopa.

Question 64

What population is at risk for abusing centrally-acting alpha2 agonists?

Answer 64

Older adults.