PHARMACOLOGY CONNECTIONS TO
NURSING PRACTICE 5TH EDITION
MICHAEL ADAMS CAROL QUAM URBAN
TEST BANK ALL CHAPTERS 100%
ORIGINAL VERIFIED PRACTICE SCRIPT
UPDATED 2026 TESTED SOLUTIONS
⫸ beta andregenic drug overview Answer: The beta-adrenergic agonists
are a group of drugs that are commonly used during the acute phase of
an asthmatic attack to quickly reduce airway constriction and restore
airflow to normal. They are agonists of the adrenergic receptors in the
sympathetic nervous system. The beta and alpha adrenergic receptors are
discussed in Chapters 18 and 19. The beta agonists imitate the effects of
norepinephrine on beta receptors. For this reason, they are also called
sympathomimetic bronchodilators. The beta agonists are categorized by
their onset of action. Short-acting beta agonist (SABA) inhalers include
albuterol (Ventolin), levalbuterol (Xopenex), pirbuterol (Maxair),
terbutaline (Brethine), and metaproterenol (Alupent). Long-acting beta
agonist (LABA) inhalers include arformoterol (Brovana), formoterol
(Foradil, Perforomist), and salmeterol (Serevent). The newest long-
acting beta agonists are indacterol (Arcapta Neohaler); vilanterol in
conjunction with fluticasone (Breo Ellipta); and vilanterol in conjunction
with the anticholinergic umeclidinium (Anoro Ellipta). The term Ellipta
refers to a new delivery system. Because the long-acting beta agonists
(LABAs) have a longer onset of action, they must never be used for
,acute treatment. Patients must be taught to use the short-acting beta
agonist (SABA) as rescue treatment.
⫸ short acting beta agonist Answer: albuterol (Ventolin), levalbuterol
(Xopenex), pirbuterol (Maxair), terbutaline (Brethine), and
metaproterenol (Alupent).
⫸ Albuterol Answer: Class : beta 2 agonist (short acting)
Indications and mechanisms of action: is a short-acting beta2-specific
bronchodilating beta agonist. Other similar drugs include bitolterol
(Tornalate), levalbuterol (Xopenex), pirbuterol (Maxair), and terbutaline
(Brethine). Albuterol is the most commonly used drug in this class. If
albuterol is used too frequently, dose-related adverse effects may be
seen, because albuterol loses its beta2-specific actions, especially at
larger dosages
Contraindications :. As a consequence, the beta1 receptors are
stimulated, which causes nausea, increased anxiety, palpitations,
tremors, and an increased heart rate.
Route: po and inhalation
Other facts: levorotatory isomeric form of albuterol, levalbuterol, is
sometimes prescribed as an albuterol alternative for patients with certain
,risk factors (e.g., tachycardia, including tachycardia associated with
albuterol treatment). (Lilley 583)
Lilley, Linda, Shelly Collins, Julie Snyder. Pharmacology and the
Nursing Process, 8th Edition. Mosby, 022016. VitalBook file.
⫸ long acting beta agonist Answer: arformoterol (Brovana), formoterol
(Foradil, Perforomist), and salmeterol (Serevent). The newest long-
acting beta agonists are indacterol (Arcapta Neohaler); vilanterol in
conjunction with fluticasone (Breo Ellipta); and vilanterol in conjunction
with the anticholinergic umeclidinium (Anoro Ellipta)
⫸ beta andregenic mechanism of action and drug effect Answer: The
beta agonists relax and dilate airways by stimulating the beta2-
adrenergic receptors located throughout the lungs.
582
There are three subtypes of these drugs, based on their selectivity for
beta2 receptors:
1. Nonselective adrenergic drugs, which stimulate the beta, beta1
(cardiac), and beta2 (respiratory) receptors. Example: epinephrine.
(NOTE: Epinephrine inhalers were taken off the market in 2012 because
they did not comply with FDA requirements). Epinephrine is available
as a prefilled syringe for self-administration by patients with severe
allergic reactions and is called EpiPen (Figure 37-2).
, 2. Nonselective beta-adrenergic drugs, which stimulate both beta1 and
beta2 receptors. Example: metaproterenol.
3. Selective beta2 drugs, which primarily stimulate the beta2 receptors.
Example: albuterol.
These drugs can also be categorized according to their routes of
administration as oral, injectable, or inhaled. The various beta agonist
bronchodilators are listed in Table 37-3. The bronchioles are surrounded
by smooth muscle. When the smooth muscle contracts, the airways are
narrowed and the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide exchanged is
reduced. The action of beta agonist bronchodilators begins at the specific
receptor stimulated and ends with the relaxation and dilation of the
airways. However, many reactions must take place at the cellular level
for bronchodilation to occur. When a beta2-adrenergic receptor is
stimulated by a beta agonist, adenylate cyclase is activated and produces
cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Adenylate cyclase is an
enzyme needed to make cAMP. The increased levels of cAMP cause
bronchial smooth muscles to relax, which results in bronchial dilation
and increased airflow into and out of the lungs.
Nonselective adrenergic agonist drugs such as epinephrine also stimulate
alpha-ad
⫸ indications of beta andregenics Answer: The primary therapeutic
effect of the beta agonists is the prevention or relief of bronchospasm
related to bronchial asthma, bronchitis, and other pulmonary diseases.
However, they are also used for effects outside the respiratory system.
NURSING PRACTICE 5TH EDITION
MICHAEL ADAMS CAROL QUAM URBAN
TEST BANK ALL CHAPTERS 100%
ORIGINAL VERIFIED PRACTICE SCRIPT
UPDATED 2026 TESTED SOLUTIONS
⫸ beta andregenic drug overview Answer: The beta-adrenergic agonists
are a group of drugs that are commonly used during the acute phase of
an asthmatic attack to quickly reduce airway constriction and restore
airflow to normal. They are agonists of the adrenergic receptors in the
sympathetic nervous system. The beta and alpha adrenergic receptors are
discussed in Chapters 18 and 19. The beta agonists imitate the effects of
norepinephrine on beta receptors. For this reason, they are also called
sympathomimetic bronchodilators. The beta agonists are categorized by
their onset of action. Short-acting beta agonist (SABA) inhalers include
albuterol (Ventolin), levalbuterol (Xopenex), pirbuterol (Maxair),
terbutaline (Brethine), and metaproterenol (Alupent). Long-acting beta
agonist (LABA) inhalers include arformoterol (Brovana), formoterol
(Foradil, Perforomist), and salmeterol (Serevent). The newest long-
acting beta agonists are indacterol (Arcapta Neohaler); vilanterol in
conjunction with fluticasone (Breo Ellipta); and vilanterol in conjunction
with the anticholinergic umeclidinium (Anoro Ellipta). The term Ellipta
refers to a new delivery system. Because the long-acting beta agonists
(LABAs) have a longer onset of action, they must never be used for
,acute treatment. Patients must be taught to use the short-acting beta
agonist (SABA) as rescue treatment.
⫸ short acting beta agonist Answer: albuterol (Ventolin), levalbuterol
(Xopenex), pirbuterol (Maxair), terbutaline (Brethine), and
metaproterenol (Alupent).
⫸ Albuterol Answer: Class : beta 2 agonist (short acting)
Indications and mechanisms of action: is a short-acting beta2-specific
bronchodilating beta agonist. Other similar drugs include bitolterol
(Tornalate), levalbuterol (Xopenex), pirbuterol (Maxair), and terbutaline
(Brethine). Albuterol is the most commonly used drug in this class. If
albuterol is used too frequently, dose-related adverse effects may be
seen, because albuterol loses its beta2-specific actions, especially at
larger dosages
Contraindications :. As a consequence, the beta1 receptors are
stimulated, which causes nausea, increased anxiety, palpitations,
tremors, and an increased heart rate.
Route: po and inhalation
Other facts: levorotatory isomeric form of albuterol, levalbuterol, is
sometimes prescribed as an albuterol alternative for patients with certain
,risk factors (e.g., tachycardia, including tachycardia associated with
albuterol treatment). (Lilley 583)
Lilley, Linda, Shelly Collins, Julie Snyder. Pharmacology and the
Nursing Process, 8th Edition. Mosby, 022016. VitalBook file.
⫸ long acting beta agonist Answer: arformoterol (Brovana), formoterol
(Foradil, Perforomist), and salmeterol (Serevent). The newest long-
acting beta agonists are indacterol (Arcapta Neohaler); vilanterol in
conjunction with fluticasone (Breo Ellipta); and vilanterol in conjunction
with the anticholinergic umeclidinium (Anoro Ellipta)
⫸ beta andregenic mechanism of action and drug effect Answer: The
beta agonists relax and dilate airways by stimulating the beta2-
adrenergic receptors located throughout the lungs.
582
There are three subtypes of these drugs, based on their selectivity for
beta2 receptors:
1. Nonselective adrenergic drugs, which stimulate the beta, beta1
(cardiac), and beta2 (respiratory) receptors. Example: epinephrine.
(NOTE: Epinephrine inhalers were taken off the market in 2012 because
they did not comply with FDA requirements). Epinephrine is available
as a prefilled syringe for self-administration by patients with severe
allergic reactions and is called EpiPen (Figure 37-2).
, 2. Nonselective beta-adrenergic drugs, which stimulate both beta1 and
beta2 receptors. Example: metaproterenol.
3. Selective beta2 drugs, which primarily stimulate the beta2 receptors.
Example: albuterol.
These drugs can also be categorized according to their routes of
administration as oral, injectable, or inhaled. The various beta agonist
bronchodilators are listed in Table 37-3. The bronchioles are surrounded
by smooth muscle. When the smooth muscle contracts, the airways are
narrowed and the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide exchanged is
reduced. The action of beta agonist bronchodilators begins at the specific
receptor stimulated and ends with the relaxation and dilation of the
airways. However, many reactions must take place at the cellular level
for bronchodilation to occur. When a beta2-adrenergic receptor is
stimulated by a beta agonist, adenylate cyclase is activated and produces
cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Adenylate cyclase is an
enzyme needed to make cAMP. The increased levels of cAMP cause
bronchial smooth muscles to relax, which results in bronchial dilation
and increased airflow into and out of the lungs.
Nonselective adrenergic agonist drugs such as epinephrine also stimulate
alpha-ad
⫸ indications of beta andregenics Answer: The primary therapeutic
effect of the beta agonists is the prevention or relief of bronchospasm
related to bronchial asthma, bronchitis, and other pulmonary diseases.
However, they are also used for effects outside the respiratory system.
