Chapter 31

Question 1

adrenergic-receptor-site specificity

Answer 1

a drug’s affi nity for only adrenergic receptor sites; certain drugs may have specifi c affi nity
for only alpha- or only beta-adrenergic receptor sites

Question 2

alpha1-selective adrenergic blocking agents

Answer 2

drugs that block the postsynaptic alpha1-receptor sites, causing a decrease in vascular tone and a vasodilation that leads to a fall in blood pressure; these drugs do not block the
presynaptic alpha2-receptor sites, and therefore the reflex tachycardia that accompanies a fall in blood pressure does
not occur

Question 3

beta-adrenergic blocking agents

Answer 3

drugs that, at therapeutic levels, selectively block the beta-receptors of the sympathetic
nervous system

Question 4

beta1-selective adrenergic blocking agents

Answer 4

drugs that, at therapeutic levels, specifi cally block the beta1-receptors in the sympathetic
nervous system while not blocking the beta2- receptors and resultant eff ects on the respiratory system

Question 5

bronchodilation

Answer 5

relaxation of the muscles in the bronchi,

resulting in a widening of the bronchi; an effect of sympathetic stimulation

Question 6

pheochromocytoma

Answer 6

a tumor of the chromaffi n cells of the adrenal medulla that periodically releases large amounts of norepinephrine and epinephrine into the system with resultant severe hypertension and tachycardia

Question 7

sympatholytic

Answer 7

a drug that lyses, or blocks, the eff ects of the sympathetic nervous system