The Nervous System Adrenergic Drugs Affecting the Autonomic Nervous System

Question 1

A patient having an ophthalmic procedure receives an alpha1-receptor agonist.

Which effect should the nurse expect in this patient?
a) Pupil dilation
b) Pupil constriction
c) Increased eye pressure
d) Excessive tear production

Answer 1

a) Pupil dilation

Question 2

The nurse is teaching a patient with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) about alpha blockers.

Which statement should indicate to the nurse that teaching was effective?
a) “I could experience urinary retention while taking this medication.”
b) “This medication increases my blood pressure.”
c) “This medication may increase my urine flow.”
d) “This medication will decrease the size of my prostate gland.”

Answer 2

c) “This medication may increase my urine flow.”

Question 3

The nurse is preparing to administer metoprolol (Lopressor) to a patient.

Which assessment should the nurse complete first?
a) Peripheral edema
b) Heart rate
c) Respiratory rate
d) Blood glucose level

Answer 3

b) Heart rate

Question 4

The nurse is preparing to administer nonselective beta blockers to a group of patients.

Which patient should the nurse monitor most closely?
a) A patient with hypertension
b) A patient with tachycardia
c) A patient with a history of migraine headaches
d) A patient with a history of asthma

Answer 4

d) A patient with a history of asthma

Question 5

A patient is prescribed phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine) for nasal congestion.

Which action should the nurse take before administering the medication?
a) Assess nasal mucosa for excoriation or bleeding.
b) Measure vital signs.
c) Instruct to decrease fluid intake.
d) Coach to hold the breath for 30 seconds.

Answer 5

a) Assess nasal mucosa for excoriation or bleeding.

Question 6

A patient with asthma and severe bronchospasms is prescribed a beta2 agonist.

In which way should the nurse explain the action of this medication?
a) “You should experience relief in about an hour.”
b) “You should be patient, because the medication will begin to work in about 2 hours.”
c) “You should experience quick relief.”
Unselected
d) “You should experience relief in a day.”

Answer 6

c) “You should experience quick relief.”
Unselected

Question 7

A patient receives an adrenergic agonist.

Which effect should the nurse expect to assess in this patient?
a) Decreased blood pressure
b) Fight-or-flight response
c) Increased nasal secretions
d) Vasodilation

Answer 7

b) Fight-or-flight response

Question 8

A patient is experiencing symptoms of Raynaud disease.

Which medication should the nurse anticipate being prescribed for this patient?
a) Beta1 blocker
b) Beta2 blocker
c) Alpha2 blocker
d) Alpha1 blocker

Answer 8

d) Alpha1 blocker

Question 9

A patient newly diagnosed with Raynaud disease asks about the need to take blood pressure medication.

Which response should the nurse make?
a) “Alpha blockers can also reduce the vasospasms that cause your symptoms.”
b) “Raynaud’s disease is caused by hypertension, and this medication will lower your blood pressure.”
c) “This medication causes vasoconstriction, which will help with the symptoms you are experiencing.”
d) “Hypertension medications block norepinephrine, which contributes to your symptoms.”

Answer 9

a) “Alpha blockers can also reduce the vasospasms that cause your symptoms.”

Question 10

A patient is prescribed a nonselective agonist for hypertension.

Which adverse effect should the nurse monitor in this patient?
a) Hypotension
b) Bradycardia
c) Tachycardia
d) Hypoglycemia

Answer 10

c) Tachycardia

Question 11

A patient asks why repeated doses of a catecholamine are being given.

Which response should the nurse make?
a) “The medication has a long duration of action and will be destroyed by enzymes in the intestinal tract.”
b) “The medication has a short duration of action and will be destroyed by enzymes in the intestinal tract.”
c) “The medication has a short duration of action and will be destroyed by enzymes in the saliva.”
d) “The medication has a long duration of action and will be destroyed by enzymes in the saliva.”

Answer 11

b) “The medication has a short duration of action and will be destroyed by enzymes in the intestinal tract.”

Question 12

A patient reports taking metoprolol (Lopressor).

For which health problem should the nurse assess this client?
a) Migraine prophylaxis
b) Bradycardia
c) Myocardial infarction
d) Hypertension

Answer 12

d) Hypertension

Question 13

The nurse is caring for an older male patient taking an alpha blocker for an enlarged prostate.

For which adverse effect should the nurse assess this patient?
a) Urinary retention
b) Urinary sphincter relaxation
c) Diarrhea
d) Hypertension

Answer 13

a) Urinary retention

Question 14

A patient is directed to take over-the-counter phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine) for nasal congestion.

Which mechanism of action should the nurse explain to the patient?
a) Dilates blood vessels in the nasal mucosa
b) Decreases the size of the nasal mucosa
c) Constricts blood vessels in the nasal mucosa
d) Increases the size of the nasal mucosa

Answer 14

c) Constricts blood vessels in the nasal mucosa

Question 15

A patient is taking an alpha blocker.

For which reason should the nurse teach the patient to change positions slowly?
a) Increase heart rate
b) Reduce dizziness
c) Reduce smooth muscle contraction
d) Prevent a dysrhythmia

Answer 15

b) Reduce dizziness

Question 16

A patient with a heart disorder is taking an adrenergic agonist.

Which assessment finding should the nurse expect in this patient?
a) Decreased heart rate with increased force of contraction
b) Increased heart rate with decreased force of contraction
c) Decreased heart rate with decreased force of contraction
d) Increased heart rate with increased force of contraction

Answer 16

d) Increased heart rate with increased force of contraction

Question 17

A patient is prescribed an oral adrenergic agent to replace an intranasal alpha agonist because of adverse effects.

Which explanation should the nurse provide to the patient as the reason for the change?
a) Less damaging to the nasal mucosa
b) Fewer systemic side effects
c) Less time to act
d) Less easily absorbed

Answer 17

a) Less damaging to the nasal mucosa

Question 18

A patient with heart failure is prescribed prazosin.

Which additional medication should the nurse expect this patient to be prescribed?
a) Epinephrine
b) Cholinergic
c) Diuretic
d) Beta agonist

Answer 18

c) Diuretic

Question 19

The nurse reviews the morning assessment data for a patient receiving a beta-blocker medication.

Which data should be reported to the healthcare provider?
a) Blood pressure 121/83 mmHg
b) Weight gain overnight of 4 lb
c) Heart rate 68 beats/min
d) Respiratory rate 18 breaths/min

Answer 19

b) Weight gain overnight of 4 lb

Question 20

A patient is experiencing a cardiac arrest.

For which reason should the nurse expect this patient to receive a beta1-receptor agonist instead of a beta2-receptor agonist?
a) Beta1 receptors are found mostly in the nervous system, compared with beta2 receptors, which are found predominantly in the lungs.
b) Beta1 receptors are found mostly in the lungs, compared with beta2 receptors, which are found predominantly in the heart.
c) Beta1 receptors are found mostly in the lungs, compared with beta2 receptors, which are found predominantly in the nervous system.
d) Beta1 receptors are found mostly in the cardiovascular system, compared with beta2 receptors, which are found predominantly in the lungs.

Answer 20

d) Beta1 receptors are found mostly in the cardiovascular system, compared with beta2 receptors, which are found predominantly in the lungs.

Question 21

A patient who received a beta blocker 60 minutes ago has a heart rate of 125 beats/min.

Which action should the nurse take?
a) Assess blood pressure.
b) Assess urine output.
c) Call the healthcare provider.
d) Assess respirations.

Answer 21

a) Assess blood pressure.

Question 22

A patient is prescribed an epinephrine pen for an allergy to peanuts.

Which statement should the nurse include when teaching about this medication?
a) “Make an appointment the next day with your healthcare provider.”
b) “Refill your prescription within 2 weeks of use.”
c) “Dial 911 and contact your healthcare provider immediately after administering.”
d) “Once you have recovered, you can go on with your day.”

Answer 22

c) “Dial 911 and contact your healthcare provider immediately after administering.”

Question 23

A patient being treated for hypertension has elevated blood pressure, tachycardia, and dysrhythmia.

Which medication should the nurse suspect is causing these adverse effects?
a) Selective adrenergic agonist
b) Nonselective adrenergic agonist
c) Oral alpha-adrenergic agonist
d) Beta-adrenergic agonist

Answer 23

b) Nonselective adrenergic agonist

Question 24

The nurse is teaching about common adverse effects when taking an adrenergic agonist.

Which statement should indicate to the nurse that teaching was effective?
a) “I should check my pulse for slowing.”
b) “My blood pressure should not be lower than usual.”
c) “I should not have low blood sugar.”
d) “I should watch for increasing nasal congestion.”

Answer 24

d) “I should watch for increasing nasal congestion.”

Question 25

A patient is having a severe episode of supraventricular tachycardia.

Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering?
a) Esmolol (Brevibloc)
b) Atenolol (Tenormin)
c) Bisoprolol
d) Tamsulosin (Flomax)

Answer 25

a) Esmolol (Brevibloc)

Question 26

A patient is experiencing cardiac arrest.

Which medication should the nurse prepare to administer to restore this patient’s cardiac rhythm?
a) Phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine)
b) Dobutamine
c) Epinephrine (Adrenalin)
d) Isoproterenol (Isuprel)

Answer 26

c) Epinephrine (Adrenalin)