Question 1

A nursing student asks the nurse why epinephrine,and not other adrenergic agonists,is used to treat anaphylactic shock. What will the nurse tell the student?

Accepted Answer

A)  "Epinephrine is the only adrenergic agonist that may be given parenterally." 
B)  "Epinephrine has the ability to activate multiple types of adrenergic receptors." 
C)  "Other adrenergic agonists have more severe adverse effects and are not safe in the doses needed to treat anaphylaxis." 
D)  "Other adrenergic agonists have little or no effects on beta2-adrenergic receptors." 
A)  "Epinephrine is the only adrenergic agonist that may be given parenterally." 
B)  "Epinephrine has the ability to activate multiple types of adrenergic receptors." 
C)  "Other adrenergic agonists have more severe adverse effects and are not safe in the doses needed to treat anaphylaxis." 
D)  "Other adrenergic agonists have little or no effects on beta2-adrenergic receptors." B

Question 2

A nurse is administering intravenous dopamine [Intropin] to a patient in the intensive care unit. Which assessment finding would cause the most concern?

Accepted Answer

A)  Blood pressure of 100/70 mm Hg 
B)  Increased urine output 
C)  Edema at the IV insertion site 
D)  Headache 
A)  Blood pressure of 100/70 mm Hg 
B)  Increased urine output 
C)  Edema at the IV insertion site 
D)  Headache C

Question 3

A nursing student asks the nurse about receptor specificity of adrenergic agonist medications. What will the nurse say?

Accepted Answer

A)  "As the dosage of these medications increases, drugs in this class are more selective." 
B)  "Dopamine is selective for dopamine receptors and has no effects on alpha or beta receptors." 
C)  "Epinephrine is the most selective alpha-adrenergic agonist medication." 
D)  "Specificity is relative and is dose dependent." 
A)  "As the dosage of these medications increases, drugs in this class are more selective." 
B)  "Dopamine is selective for dopamine receptors and has no effects on alpha or beta receptors." 
C)  "Epinephrine is the most selective alpha-adrenergic agonist medication." 
D)  "Specificity is relative and is dose dependent." D

Question 4

A patient is receiving dobutamine [Dobutrex] as a continuous infusion in the immediate postoperative period. The patient also is receiving a diuretic. What adverse drug reactions are possible in this patient? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)  Angina 
B)  Dysrhythmias 
C)  Hypotension 
D)  Oliguria 
E)  Tachycardia 
A)  Angina 
B)  Dysrhythmias 
C)  Hypotension 
D)  Oliguria 
E)  Tachycardia

Question 5

A patient brought to the emergency department requires sutures. The prescriber orders a local anesthetic with epinephrine. The nurse understands that epinephrine is ordered to:

Accepted Answer

A)  prevent hypertension induced by the anesthetic. 
B)  allow a reduced dose of the anesthetic. 
C)  reduce anesthetic-induced nausea. 
D)  reduce the pain of an injection. 
A)  prevent hypertension induced by the anesthetic. 
B)  allow a reduced dose of the anesthetic. 
C)  reduce anesthetic-induced nausea. 
D)  reduce the pain of an injection.

Question 6

A patient is admitted to the intensive care unit for treatment of shock. The prescriber orders isoproterenol [Isuprel]. The nurse expects this drug to increase tissue perfusion in this patient by activating:

Accepted Answer

A)  alpha1 receptors to cause vasoconstriction. 
B)  alpha1 receptors to increase blood pressure. 
C)  beta1 receptors to cause a positive inotropic effect. 
D)  beta2 receptors to cause bronchodilation. 
A)  alpha1 receptors to cause vasoconstriction. 
B)  alpha1 receptors to increase blood pressure. 
C)  beta1 receptors to cause a positive inotropic effect. 
D)  beta2 receptors to cause bronchodilation.

Question 7

A nursing student asks why albuterol,which is selective for beta2 receptors,causes an increased heart rate in some patients. How should the nurse respond?

Accepted Answer

A)  "Adrenergic agonists can lose their selectivity when given at higher doses." 
B)  "Bronchodilation lowers blood pressure, which causes a reflex tachycardia." 
C)  "Some patients metabolize the drug differently and have unusual side effects." 
D)  "Systemic effects are intensified with inhaled doses." 
A)  "Adrenergic agonists can lose their selectivity when given at higher doses." 
B)  "Bronchodilation lowers blood pressure, which causes a reflex tachycardia." 
C)  "Some patients metabolize the drug differently and have unusual side effects." 
D)  "Systemic effects are intensified with inhaled doses."

Question 8

Because they cause vasoconstriction,alpha1-adrenergic agonists are especially useful for:

Accepted Answer

A)  causing hemostasis in skin and mucous membranes. 
B)  producing mydriasis to facilitate ophthalmic examinations. 
C)  slowing the heart rate in tachycardic patients. 
D)  treating hypotension. 
A)  causing hemostasis in skin and mucous membranes. 
B)  producing mydriasis to facilitate ophthalmic examinations. 
C)  slowing the heart rate in tachycardic patients. 
D)  treating hypotension.

Question 9

A nurse is teaching parents how to use an Epi-Pen for their child,who has a peanut allergy. Which statement by the parents indicates understanding of the teaching?

Accepted Answer

A)  "After using the Epi-Pen, we must go to the emergency department." 
B)  "The Epi-Pen should be stored in the refrigerator, because epinephrine is sensitive to heat." 
C)  "The teacher should call us when symptoms start so that we can bring the Epi-Pen to school." 
D)  "We should jab the device into the thigh until it is empty of solution." 
A)  "After using the Epi-Pen, we must go to the emergency department." 
B)  "The Epi-Pen should be stored in the refrigerator, because epinephrine is sensitive to heat." 
C)  "The teacher should call us when symptoms start so that we can bring the Epi-Pen to school." 
D)  "We should jab the device into the thigh until it is empty of solution."

Question 10

Dopamine is administered to a patient who has been experiencing hypotensive episodes. Other than an increase in blood pressure,which indicator would the nurse use to evaluate a successful response?

Accepted Answer

A)  Decrease in pulse 
B)  Increase in urine output 
C)  Weight gain 
D)  Improved gastric motility 
A)  Decrease in pulse 
B)  Increase in urine output 
C)  Weight gain 
D)  Improved gastric motility

Question 11

A patient with asthma uses albuterol [Ventolin] for wheezing. The nurse assesses the patient and notes vital signs of HR,96 beats per minute; RR,18 breaths per minute; and BP,116/78 mm Hg. The patient has clear breath sounds and hand tremors. What will the nurse do?

Accepted Answer

A)  Ask the patient how often the inhaler is used. 
B)  Check the patient's blood glucose level. 
C)  Request an order for isoproterenol [Isuprel] to reduce side effects. 
D)  Stop the medication and report the tremors to the provider. 
A)  Ask the patient how often the inhaler is used. 
B)  Check the patient's blood glucose level. 
C)  Request an order for isoproterenol [Isuprel] to reduce side effects. 
D)  Stop the medication and report the tremors to the provider.

Question 12

A nurse is teaching a nursing student about the two classes of adrenergic agonist drugs. Which statement by the nursing student indicates understanding of the teaching?

Accepted Answer

A)  "Catecholamines may be given orally." 
B)  "Catecholamines often require continuous infusion to be effective." 
C)  "Noncatecholamines do not cross the blood-brain barrier." 
D)  "Noncatecholamines undergo rapid degradation by monoamine oxidase." 
A)  "Catecholamines may be given orally." 
B)  "Catecholamines often require continuous infusion to be effective." 
C)  "Noncatecholamines do not cross the blood-brain barrier." 
D)  "Noncatecholamines undergo rapid degradation by monoamine oxidase."

Exam 17: Adrenergic Agonists

A nursing student asks the nurse why epinephrine,and not other adrenergic agonists,is used to treat anaphylactic shock. What will the nurse tell the student?

A nurse is administering intravenous dopamine [Intropin] to a patient in the intensive care unit. Which assessment finding would cause the most concern?

A nursing student asks the nurse about receptor specificity of adrenergic agonist medications. What will the nurse say?

A patient is receiving dobutamine [Dobutrex] as a continuous infusion in the immediate postoperative period. The patient also is receiving a diuretic. What adverse drug reactions are possible in this patient? (Select all that apply.)

A patient brought to the emergency department requires sutures. The prescriber orders a local anesthetic with epinephrine. The nurse understands that epinephrine is ordered to:

A patient is admitted to the intensive care unit for treatment of shock. The prescriber orders isoproterenol [Isuprel]. The nurse expects this drug to increase tissue perfusion in this patient by activating:

A nursing student asks why albuterol,which is selective for beta2 receptors,causes an increased heart rate in some patients. How should the nurse respond?

Because they cause vasoconstriction,alpha1-adrenergic agonists are especially useful for:

A nurse is teaching parents how to use an Epi-Pen for their child,who has a peanut allergy. Which statement by the parents indicates understanding of the teaching?

Dopamine is administered to a patient who has been experiencing hypotensive episodes. Other than an increase in blood pressure,which indicator would the nurse use to evaluate a successful response?

A patient with asthma uses albuterol [Ventolin] for wheezing. The nurse assesses the patient and notes vital signs of HR,96 beats per minute; RR,18 breaths per minute; and BP,116/78 mm Hg. The patient has clear breath sounds and hand tremors. What will the nurse do?

A nurse is teaching a nursing student about the two classes of adrenergic agonist drugs. Which statement by the nursing student indicates understanding of the teaching?

Orientation to Pharmacology

Application of Pharmacology in Nursing Practice

Drug Regulation, Development, Names, and Information

Pharmacokinetics

Pharmacodynamics

Drug Interactions

Adverse Drug Reactions and Medication Errors

Individual Variation in Drug Responses

Drug Therapy During Pregnancy and Breast-Feeding

Drug Therapy in Pediatric Patients

Drug Therapy in Geriatric Patients

Basic Principles of Neuropharmacology

Physiology of the Peripheral Nervous System

Muscarinic Agonists and Antagonists

Cholinesterase Inhibitors and Their Use in Myasthenia Gravis

Drugs That Block Nicotinic Cholinergic Transmission: Neuromuscular Blocking Agents

Adrenergic Antagonists

Indirect-Acting Antiadrenergic Agents

Introduction to Central Nervous System Pharmacology

Drugs for Parkinson’s Disease

Drugs for Alzheimer’s Disease

Drugs for Multiple Sclerosis

Drugs for Epilepsy

Drugs for Muscle Spasm and Spasticity

Local Anesthetics

General Anesthetics

Opioid Analgesics, Opioid Antagonists, and Nonopioid Centrally Acting Analgesics

Pain Management in Patients with Cancer

Drugs for Headache

Antipsychotic Agents and Their Use in Schizophrenia

Antidepressants

Drugs for Bipolar Disorder

Sedative-Hypnotic Drugs

Management of Anxiety Disorders

Central Nervous System Stimulants and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Drug Abuse I: Basic Considerations

Drug Abuse II: Alcohol

Drug Abuse III: Nicotine and Smoking

Drug Abuse IV: Major Drugs of Abuse Other Than Alcohol and Nicotine

Diuretics

Agents Affecting the Volume and Ion Content of Body Fluids

Review of Hemodynamics

Drugs Acting on the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System

Calcium Channel Blockers

Vasodilators

Drugs for Hypertension

Drugs for Heart Failure

Antidysrhythmic Drugs

Prophylaxis of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: Drugs That Help Normalize Cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels

Drugs for Angina Pectoris

Anticoagulant, Antiplatelet, and Thrombolytic Drugs

Management of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Drugs for Hemophilia

Drugs for Deficiency Anemias

Hematopoietic Agents

Drugs for Diabetes Mellitus

Drugs for Thyroid Disorders

Drugs Related to Hypothalamic and Pituitary Function

Drugs for Disorders of the Adrenal Cortex

Estrogens and Progestins: Basic Pharmacology and Noncontraceptive Applications

Birth Control

Drug Therapy of Infertility

Drugs That Affect Uterine Function

Androgens

Drugs for Erectile Dysfunction and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Review of the Immune System

Childhood Immunization

A nursing student asks why albuterol,which is selective for beta₂ receptors,causes an increased heart rate in some patients. How should the nurse respond?

Because they cause vasoconstriction,alpha₁-adrenergic agonists are especially useful for: