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." 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 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." 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

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.

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.

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."

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.

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."

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

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.

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."

Exam 17: Adrenergic Agonists