Chapter 12. Emergency Preparedness and Poisonings

Adams, Pharmacology for Nurses: A Pathophysiologic Approach Test
Bank Chapter 12
Question 1
Type: MCMA
A patient’s heart rate is found to be 72 beats per minute and regular. The nurse evaluates which situation in the
patient’s peripheral nervous system?

Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.

Standard Text: Select all that apply.

1. The sympathetic system is in control.

2. The parasympathetic system is dominating.

3. Both parasympathetic and sympathetic systems are influencing cardiac status.

4. The autonomic nervous system is affecting cardiac status.

5. The somatic nervous system is affecting cardiac status.

Correct Answer: 2,3,4

Rationale 1: If the sympathetic system was in control, the heart rate would be accelerated.

Rationale 2: Restful cardiac response indicates that the primary input is from the parasympathetic system.

Rationale 3: These two systems work in tandem to regulate the cardiac response.

Rationale 4: Both the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems are part of the autonomic system.

Rationale 5: The somatic system is separate from the autonomic system.

Global Rationale: Restful cardiac response indicates that the primary input is from the parasympathetic system.
These two systems work in tandem to regulate the cardiac response. Both the sympathetic and parasympathetic
systems are part of the autonomic system. If the sympathetic system was in control, the heart rate would be
accelerated. The somatic system is separate from the autonomic system.

Cognitive Level: Analyzing
Client Need: Physiological Integrity
Client Need Sub: Physiological Adaptation
QSEN Competencies: III.A.1 Demonstrate knowledge of basic scientific methods and processes.
AACN Essentials Competencies: III.1 Explain the interrelationships among theory, practice, and research.
NLN Competencies: Knowledge and Science: Relationships between knowledge and science and quality and
safe patient care.

,Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Assessment

Learning Outcome: 12-2 Identify important divisions of the peripheral nervous system.
MNL Learning Outcome: 2.2.1 Examine the neuropharmacology of the autonomic nervous system.
Page Number: 130



Question 2
Type: MCMA

A nurse is reading about the development of drugs that inhibit the parasympathetic nervous system. The nurse
would look for articles about which drug classes?

Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.

Standard Text: Select all that apply.

1. Anticholinergics

2. Parasympathomimetics

3. Parasympatholytics

4. Cholinergics

5. Muscarinic blockers

Correct Answer: 1,3,5

Rationale 1: Anticholinergics inhibit the parasympathetic nervous system.

Rationale 2: Parasympathomimetic drugs stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system.

Rationale 3: Parasympatholytic drugs inhibit the parasympathetic nervous system.

Rationale 4: Cholinergic drugs stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system.

Rationale 5: Muscarinic blockers inhibit the parasympathetic nervous system.

Global Rationale: Anticholinergics, parasympatholytics, and muscarinic blockers inhibit the parasympathetic
nervous system. : Parasympathomimetic drugs and cholinergic drugs stimulate the parasympathetic nervous
system.

Cognitive Level: Applying
Client Need: Physiological Integrity
Client Need Sub: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

,QSEN Competencies: III.A.1 Demonstrate knowledge of basic scientific methods and processes.
AACN Essentials Competencies: III.1 Explain the interrelationships among theory, practice, and research.

NLN Competencies: Knowledge and Science: Relationships between knowledge and science and quality and
safe patient care.
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Implementation
Learning Outcome: 12-6 Discuss the classifications and naming of cholinergic drugs based on possible actions.
MNL Learning Outcome: 2.2.1 Examine the neuropharmacology of the autonomic nervous system.
Page Number: 134



Question 3
Type: Hot Spot


Mark the site of the ganglionic synapse on this diagram.




1. A
2. B
3. C
4. D

Answer: 3

Rationale: The ganglionic synapse is the gap between the preganglionic neuron and the postganglionic neuron.

Cognitive Level: Applying
Client Need: Physiological Integrity
Client Need Sub: Physiological Adaptation
QSEN Competencies: III.A.1 Demonstrate knowledge of basic scientific methods and processes.
AACN Essentials Competencies: III.1 Explain the interrelationships among theory, practice, and research.
NLN Competencies: Knowledge and Science: Relationships between knowledge and science and quality and
safe patient care.
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Assessment
Learning Outcome: 12-4 Explain how information is transmitted throughout the nervous system and the
neurotransmitters important to the parasympathetic nervous system.

, MNL Learning Outcome: 2.2.1 Examine the neuropharmacology of the autonomic nervous system.
Page Number: 131

Question 4
Type: MCMA

A patient has been prescribed an oral drug containing atropine. The nurse would hold the drug and contact the
prescriber if which patient statements are made?

Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.

Standard Text: Select all that apply.

1. “I would like to wait a few minutes to take this as I just drank some aloe juice.”

2. “Can I take this at the same time as my procainamide?”

3. “I have had a headache this morning.”

4. “I am allergic to penicillin.”

5. “My gallbladder surgery is scheduled for next week.”

Correct Answer: 1,2

Rationale 1: Atropine should be used with caution in those who use aloe.

Rationale 2: There is a drug–drug interaction between atropine and procainamide.

Rationale 3: Headache does not prevent use of atropine.

Rationale 4: Allergy to penicillin does not prevent use of atropine.

Rationale 5: Gallbladder surgery for next week would not prevent use of atropine.

Global Rationale: Atropine should be used with caution in those who use aloe. There is a drug–drug interaction
between atropine and procainamide. Headache, allergy to penicillin, and gallbladder surgery scheduled for next
week do not prevent use of atropine.

Cognitive Level: Analyzing
Client Need: Physiological Integrity
Client Need Sub: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
QSEN Competencies: V.A. 4 Delineate general categories of errors and hazards in care.
AACN Essentials Competencies: IX.3 Implement holistic, patient-centered care that reflects an understanding of
human growth and development, pathophysiology, pharmacology, medical management, and nursing
management across the health-illness continuum, across lifespan, and in all healthcare settings.