NSG 6001 – Advanced Pharmacology – Week 2 Quiz
2026/2027 – Graduate Nursing Program – Autonomic Nervous
System Pharmacology – 100% Correct
[INSTRUCTIONS: This quiz contains 50 questions covering autonomic nervous system
pharmacology. Select the single best answer unless otherwise indicated. Questions
include multiple choice, select all that apply, matching, ordered response, and
fill-in-the-blank items. ]
[SECTION 1: AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY]
(Questions 1-10)
Q1: A patient presents with tachycardia, dilated pupils, dry skin, and decreased bowel
sounds. Which division of the autonomic nervous system is predominantly active?
A. Sympathetic nervous system
B. Parasympathetic nervous system
C. Somatic nervous system
D. Enteric nervous system
Correct Answer: A
Client Need Category: Physiological Adaptation
Nursing Process: Assessment
Clinical Judgment Skill: Recognize Cues – Autonomic Tone
,Rationale: [CORRECT] A: The sympathetic nervous system ("fight or flight") mediates
tachycardia (β1), mydriasis (α1 – radial muscle contraction), decreased GI motility, and
decreased secretions. These findings indicate sympathetic predominance. B:
Parasympathetic activity causes bradycardia (M2), miosis (M3), increased GI motility
(M3), and increased secretions (M3). C: Somatic nervous system controls voluntary
movement. D: Enteric nervous system regulates GI function locally. Mnemonic: "Fight or
flight" – sympathetic; "Rest and digest" – parasympathetic. Common NP error: Confusing
sympathetic and parasympathetic responses.
Q2: Which neurotransmitter is released by all preganglionic autonomic neurons (both
sympathetic and parasympathetic)?
A. Norepinephrine
B. Epinephrine
C. Acetylcholine
D. Dopamine
Correct Answer: C
Client Need Category: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Nursing Process: Assessment
Clinical Judgment Skill: Recall – Autonomic Neurotransmission
Rationale: [CORRECT] C: Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter released by ALL
preganglionic neurons in both sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions. It acts on
nicotinic (Nn) receptors on postganglionic neurons. A: Norepinephrine is released by
most postganglionic sympathetic neurons. B: Epinephrine is released by the adrenal
medulla (as a hormone). D: Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in specific CNS pathways
,(basal ganglia, mesolimbic, tuberoinfundibular). Mnemonic: "All preganglionic neurons
speak ACh." Common NP error: Assuming sympathetic postganglionic transmission
applies to all autonomic neurons.
Q3: A patient receives a drug that decreases heart rate and contractility. Which receptor
is MOST likely being blocked?
A. Alpha-1
B. Beta-1
C. Beta-2
D. Muscarinic M3
Correct Answer: B
Client Need Category: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Nursing Process: Analysis
Clinical Judgment Skill: Analyze Cues – Receptor Function
Rationale: [CORRECT] B: Beta-1 receptors are located primarily in the heart (SA node, AV
node, ventricular muscle). Activation increases heart rate (chronotropy), contractility
(inotropy), and conduction velocity (dromotropy). Blockade produces bradycardia and
decreased contractility. A: Alpha-1 blockade causes vasodilation and hypotension. C:
Beta-2 blockade causes bronchoconstriction. D: M3 blockade causes decreased GI
motility and bladder contraction. Clinical Pearl: Beta-1 = "One heart" – specific to cardiac
effects. Common NP error: Confusing beta-1 and beta-2 receptor locations.
Q4: Stimulation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors produces which effect?
, A. Bronchodilation
B. Decreased heart rate
C. Vasoconstriction
D. Glycogenolysis
Correct Answer: C
Client Need Category: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Nursing Process: Analysis
Clinical Judgment Skill: Recall – Adrenergic Receptor Effects
Rationale: [CORRECT] C: Alpha-1 receptors are located on vascular smooth muscle
(arteries and veins), radial muscle of the iris, pilomotor smooth muscle, and the
prostate. Stimulation produces vasoconstriction (increasing blood pressure), mydriasis,
piloerection, and prostatic contraction. A: Beta-2 causes bronchodilation. B: M2 or
alpha-2 (presynaptic) decrease heart rate. D: Beta-2 causes glycogenolysis in liver and
skeletal muscle. Mnemonic: "Alpha-1 = One vessel" (vasoconstriction). Common NP error:
Confusing alpha-1 with alpha-2 effects.
Q5: Which receptor mediates the decrease in heart rate when the vagus nerve is
stimulated?
A. Beta-1
B. Muscarinic M2
C. Nicotinic Nn
D. Alpha-2
2026/2027 – Graduate Nursing Program – Autonomic Nervous
System Pharmacology – 100% Correct
[INSTRUCTIONS: This quiz contains 50 questions covering autonomic nervous system
pharmacology. Select the single best answer unless otherwise indicated. Questions
include multiple choice, select all that apply, matching, ordered response, and
fill-in-the-blank items. ]
[SECTION 1: AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY]
(Questions 1-10)
Q1: A patient presents with tachycardia, dilated pupils, dry skin, and decreased bowel
sounds. Which division of the autonomic nervous system is predominantly active?
A. Sympathetic nervous system
B. Parasympathetic nervous system
C. Somatic nervous system
D. Enteric nervous system
Correct Answer: A
Client Need Category: Physiological Adaptation
Nursing Process: Assessment
Clinical Judgment Skill: Recognize Cues – Autonomic Tone
,Rationale: [CORRECT] A: The sympathetic nervous system ("fight or flight") mediates
tachycardia (β1), mydriasis (α1 – radial muscle contraction), decreased GI motility, and
decreased secretions. These findings indicate sympathetic predominance. B:
Parasympathetic activity causes bradycardia (M2), miosis (M3), increased GI motility
(M3), and increased secretions (M3). C: Somatic nervous system controls voluntary
movement. D: Enteric nervous system regulates GI function locally. Mnemonic: "Fight or
flight" – sympathetic; "Rest and digest" – parasympathetic. Common NP error: Confusing
sympathetic and parasympathetic responses.
Q2: Which neurotransmitter is released by all preganglionic autonomic neurons (both
sympathetic and parasympathetic)?
A. Norepinephrine
B. Epinephrine
C. Acetylcholine
D. Dopamine
Correct Answer: C
Client Need Category: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Nursing Process: Assessment
Clinical Judgment Skill: Recall – Autonomic Neurotransmission
Rationale: [CORRECT] C: Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter released by ALL
preganglionic neurons in both sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions. It acts on
nicotinic (Nn) receptors on postganglionic neurons. A: Norepinephrine is released by
most postganglionic sympathetic neurons. B: Epinephrine is released by the adrenal
medulla (as a hormone). D: Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in specific CNS pathways
,(basal ganglia, mesolimbic, tuberoinfundibular). Mnemonic: "All preganglionic neurons
speak ACh." Common NP error: Assuming sympathetic postganglionic transmission
applies to all autonomic neurons.
Q3: A patient receives a drug that decreases heart rate and contractility. Which receptor
is MOST likely being blocked?
A. Alpha-1
B. Beta-1
C. Beta-2
D. Muscarinic M3
Correct Answer: B
Client Need Category: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Nursing Process: Analysis
Clinical Judgment Skill: Analyze Cues – Receptor Function
Rationale: [CORRECT] B: Beta-1 receptors are located primarily in the heart (SA node, AV
node, ventricular muscle). Activation increases heart rate (chronotropy), contractility
(inotropy), and conduction velocity (dromotropy). Blockade produces bradycardia and
decreased contractility. A: Alpha-1 blockade causes vasodilation and hypotension. C:
Beta-2 blockade causes bronchoconstriction. D: M3 blockade causes decreased GI
motility and bladder contraction. Clinical Pearl: Beta-1 = "One heart" – specific to cardiac
effects. Common NP error: Confusing beta-1 and beta-2 receptor locations.
Q4: Stimulation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors produces which effect?
, A. Bronchodilation
B. Decreased heart rate
C. Vasoconstriction
D. Glycogenolysis
Correct Answer: C
Client Need Category: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Nursing Process: Analysis
Clinical Judgment Skill: Recall – Adrenergic Receptor Effects
Rationale: [CORRECT] C: Alpha-1 receptors are located on vascular smooth muscle
(arteries and veins), radial muscle of the iris, pilomotor smooth muscle, and the
prostate. Stimulation produces vasoconstriction (increasing blood pressure), mydriasis,
piloerection, and prostatic contraction. A: Beta-2 causes bronchodilation. B: M2 or
alpha-2 (presynaptic) decrease heart rate. D: Beta-2 causes glycogenolysis in liver and
skeletal muscle. Mnemonic: "Alpha-1 = One vessel" (vasoconstriction). Common NP error:
Confusing alpha-1 with alpha-2 effects.
Q5: Which receptor mediates the decrease in heart rate when the vagus nerve is
stimulated?
A. Beta-1
B. Muscarinic M2
C. Nicotinic Nn
D. Alpha-2
