Chapter 18: Adrenergic Agonists and Adrenergic Blockers

Chapter 18: Adrenergic Agonists and Adrenergic Blockers

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. The nurse is caring for a patient who has asthma and administers a selective beta₂-adrenergic agonist to treat bronchospasm. The nurse will expect this drug to also cause which side effect?

a.	Increased blood glucose
b.	Increased blood pressure
c.	Increased heart rate
d.	Increased gastrointestinal (GI) motility

 

 

ANS:  A

Drugs that act on beta₂ receptors activate glyconeogenesis in the liver causing increased blood glucose. Selective beta₂ drugs act on beta₂ receptors only and not on beta₁ receptors, so they do not cause increased blood pressure or increased heart rate. Adrenergic agonists cause decreased GI motility.

 

DIF:    COGNITIVE LEVEL: Understanding (Comprehension)    REF:   Page 256

TOP:   NURSING PROCESS: Planning

MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

 

2. A patient who has asthma is diagnosed with hypertension. The nurse understands that which drug will be safe to give this patient?

a.	Pindolol (Visken)
b.	Metoprolol (Lopressor)
c.	Nadolol (Corgard)
d.	Propranolol (Inderal)

 

 

ANS:  B

Metoprolol is a selective adrenergic blocker that has a greater affinity for receptors that decrease heart rate and blood pressure and is less likely to cause bronchospasm. The other adrenergic blockers are not selective and can cause bronchoconstriction.

 

DIF:    COGNITIVE LEVEL: Understanding (Comprehension)    REF:   Page 263

TOP:   NURSING PROCESS: Planning

MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

 

3. The nurse administers subcutaneous epinephrine to a patient who is experiencing an anaphylactic reaction. The nurse should expect to monitor the patient for which symptom?

a.	Bradycardia
b.	Decreased urine output
c.	Hypotension
d.	Nausea and vomiting

 

 

ANS:  B

Epinephrine can cause renal vasoconstriction and thereby reduce renal perfusion and decrease urinary output. Epinephrine causes tachycardia and elevates blood pressure. Nausea and vomiting are not expected to occur.

 

DIF:    COGNITIVE LEVEL: Applying (Application)                  REF:   Page 258

TOP:   NURSING PROCESS: Nursing Intervention

MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

 

4. An adult patient is brought to the emergency department for treatment of an asthma exacerbation. The patient uses inhaled albuterol as needed to control wheezing. The nurse notes expiratory wheezing, tremors, restlessness, and a heart rate of 120 beats per minute. The nurse suspects that the patient has

a.	over-used the albuterol.
b.	not been using albuterol.
c.	taken a beta-adrenergic blocker.
d.	taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor.

 

 

ANS:  A

High doses of albuterol may affect beta₁ receptors, causing an increase in heart rate. Patients having an asthma exacerbation may over-use their albuterol inhalers when seeking relief. Patients may have wheezing and increased heart rate during an untreated asthma exacerbation, but they will not have tremors and restlessness.

 

DIF:    COGNITIVE LEVEL: Applying (Application)                  REF:   Page 259

TOP:   NURSING PROCESS: Assessment

MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies