McKenna's Pharmacology for Nursing, 2e

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P A R T 5  Drugs acting on the autonomic nervous system

C H E C K Y O U R U N D E R S T A N D I N G

Answers to the questions in this chapter can be found in Appendix A at the back of this book.

5. Adverse effects associated with adrenergic agonists are related to the generalised stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system and could include: a. slowed heart rate. b. constriction of the pupils. c. hypertension. d. increased GI secretions. 6. A person has elected to take an OTC cold preparation that contains phenylephrine. The nurse or midwife would advise the person not to take that drug if the person has: a. thyroid or cardiovascular disease. b. a cough and runny nose. c. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. d. hypotension.

MULTIPLE CHOICE Select the best answer to the following. 1. The instructor determines that teaching about adrenergic drugs has been successful when the class identifies the drugs as also being called: a. sympatholytic agents. b. cholinergic agents. c. sympathomimetic agents. d. anticholinergic agents. 2. The adrenergic agent of choice for treating the signs and symptoms of allergic rhinitis is: a. noradrenaline. b. phenylephrine. c. dobutamine. d. dopamine. 3. An adrenergic agent being used to treat shock infiltrates into the tissue with intravenous administration. Which action would be most appropriate? a. Watch the area for any signs of necrosis and report it to the doctor. b. Notify the doctor and decrease the rate of infusion. c. Remove the IV and prepare phentolamine for administration to the area. d. Apply ice and elevate the arm. 4. Phenylephrine, an alpha-specific agonist, is found in many cold and allergy preparations. The nurse or midwife instructs the person to be alert for which adverse effects? a. urinary retention and pupil constriction b. hypotension and slow heart rate c. personality changes and increased appetite d. cardiac arrhythmias and difficulty urinating

MULTIPLE RESPONSE Select all that apply.

1. Isoprenaline is a non-specific beta-agonist. The nurse or midwife might expect to administer this drug for which of the following conditions?

a. preterm labour b. bronchospasm c. cardiac standstill d. shock e. heart block in transplanted hearts f. heart failure

2. A nurse or midwife would question the order for an adrenergic agonist for a person who is also receiving

which of the following: a. anticholinergic drugs b. halogenated hydrocarbon anaesthetics c. beta-blockers

d. benzodiazepines e. MAO inhibitors f. tricyclic antidepressants