Autonomic Nervous System

Question 1

What is the function of the ANS?

Answer 1

Responsible for functions that are not under conscious awareness

Question 2

List 3 structures that the ANS innervates to either excite or inhibit.

Answer 2

Smooth muscle
Cardiac muscle
Glands

Question 3

What 2 systems make up the ANS?

Answer 3

Sympathetic and Parasympathetic systems

Question 4

Autonomic pathways consist of _____ that synapse in an autonomic ganglion.

Answer 4

two neurons

Preganglionic and postganglionic neurons

Question 5

What are the 2 biggest differences between the somatic and autonomic nervous systems?

Answer 5

Somatic consists of a single neuron from the CNS to the effector organ; STIMULATORY effect

ANS consists of a 2 chain neuron from the CNS to the effector organs; STIMULATORY AND INHIBITORY effects

Question 6

What neurotransmitter is released from the preganglionic neuron to bind onto the postganglionic neuron in both ANS (both sympathetic and parasympathetic systems)?

Answer 6

Acetylcholine

Question 7

_____ is the terminal effector neurotransmitter of the sympathetic system.

Answer 7

Norepinephrine

Question 8

_____ is the terminal effector neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic system.

Answer 8

Acetylcholine

Question 9

The preganglionic fibers in the sympathetic system are ____ , but _____ in the parasympathetic system.

Answer 9

Short in sympathetic

Long in parasympathetic

Question 10

Sympathetic fibers originate from the _____ area.

Answer 10

Thoracolumbar area

Question 11

Parasympathetic fibers originate from the ____ and ____ areas.

Answer 11

Cranial

Sacral

Question 12

_____ receptors are found in the motor end plate/adrenal medulla.

Answer 12

Nicotinic receptors

Question 13

_____ receptors are found in the viscera.

Answer 13

Muscarinic

Question 14

List the 8 actions that take place during the flight or fight response.

Answer 14

1. Pupils dilate
2. Increased heart rate
3. Increased contractility
4. Bronchiole dilation
5. GI tract shuts down (walls relax and sphincters contract)
6. Bladder walls relax and its sphincter contracts
7. Blood shunted from GI and skin to the muscles
8. Increased gluconeogenesis

Question 15

List 2 mechanisms of action of parasympathomimetic agents.

Answer 15

1. Cholinergic agonists (cholinomimetics): direct acting on the Ach receptor
2. Cholinesterase Inhibitors: indirect acting, block the enzyme acetylcholinesterase

Question 16

List 5 ADRs associated with parasympathomimetic agents.

Answer 16

1. increased sweating
2. Bronchial constriction
3. Abdominal cramps
4. Bradycardia and decreased cardiac output
5. Urinary incontinence puts patient at risk for integumentary issues

Question 17

What is the mechanism of action for anticholinergic drugs?

Answer 17

Block the muscarinic receptors

Question 18

List 7 ADRs associated with anticholinergic drugs?

Answer 18

1. Dry mouth
2. Blurred vision
3. Urinary retention
4. Tachycardia
5. Hypertension
6. Decreased sweating
7. Dementia

Question 19

What is the mechanism of action for adrenergic agonists?

Answer 19

Bind to adrenergic receptors; mimic effects of NE or Epi

Question 20

List 2 ADRs associated with the use of adrenergic agents.

Answer 20

Tachycardia

Hypertension

Question 21

List 3 indications for the use of adrenergic agonists (epinephrine).

Answer 21

Anaphylactic shock
Hemostatic agent (I.e novacane)
Cardiac arrest