NR 293 PHARMACODYNAMIC
PROCESSES
3 Study Quizzes
Q&A
2024
,1. A patient with hypertension is prescribed a beta-blocker
drug that reduces the heart rate and blood pressure. The
nurse understands that this drug acts by:
a) inhibiting the action of angiotensin II on the blood
vessels
b) blocking the binding of epinephrine and norepinephrine
to beta receptors
c) increasing the production of nitric oxide in the
endothelium
d) decreasing the activity of the sympathetic nervous
system
*Answer: b) blocking the binding of epinephrine and
norepinephrine to beta receptors*
Rationale: Beta-blockers are drugs that bind to beta
receptors and prevent the activation of these receptors by
epinephrine and norepinephrine, which are hormones that
increase the heart rate and blood pressure. By blocking
these receptors, beta-blockers reduce the cardiac output and
peripheral resistance, thus lowering the blood pressure.
2. A patient with diabetes mellitus is prescribed an oral
hypoglycemic agent that stimulates the release of insulin
from the pancreas. The nurse knows that this drug belongs
to which class of drugs?
a) sulfonylureas
b) biguanides
c) alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
d) thiazolidinediones
*Answer: a) sulfonylureas*
, Rationale: Sulfonylureas are drugs that bind to potassium
channels in the beta cells of the pancreas and cause
depolarization, which triggers the release of insulin. Insulin
is a hormone that lowers the blood glucose level by
facilitating its uptake by the cells. Sulfonylureas are
effective for patients with type 2 diabetes who have some
residual insulin secretion.
3. A patient with asthma is prescribed an inhaler that
contains a bronchodilator drug that relaxes the smooth
muscles of the airways. The nurse recognizes that this drug
has which mechanism of action?
a) activating the muscarinic receptors in the lungs
b) inhibiting the phosphodiesterase enzyme in the lungs
c) stimulating the beta-2 adrenergic receptors in the lungs
d) blocking the leukotriene receptors in the lungs
*Answer: c) stimulating the beta-2 adrenergic receptors in
the lungs*
Rationale: Beta-2 adrenergic agonists are drugs that mimic
the action of epinephrine and norepinephrine on the beta-2
receptors, which are located in the smooth muscles of the
bronchi and bronchioles. By activating these receptors,
these drugs cause relaxation of the smooth muscles and
dilation of the airways, thus improving airflow and
reducing wheezing and shortness of breath.
4. A patient with schizophrenia is prescribed an
antipsychotic drug that reduces the positive symptoms such
as hallucinations and delusions. The nurse explains that this
drug works by:
PROCESSES
3 Study Quizzes
Q&A
2024
,1. A patient with hypertension is prescribed a beta-blocker
drug that reduces the heart rate and blood pressure. The
nurse understands that this drug acts by:
a) inhibiting the action of angiotensin II on the blood
vessels
b) blocking the binding of epinephrine and norepinephrine
to beta receptors
c) increasing the production of nitric oxide in the
endothelium
d) decreasing the activity of the sympathetic nervous
system
*Answer: b) blocking the binding of epinephrine and
norepinephrine to beta receptors*
Rationale: Beta-blockers are drugs that bind to beta
receptors and prevent the activation of these receptors by
epinephrine and norepinephrine, which are hormones that
increase the heart rate and blood pressure. By blocking
these receptors, beta-blockers reduce the cardiac output and
peripheral resistance, thus lowering the blood pressure.
2. A patient with diabetes mellitus is prescribed an oral
hypoglycemic agent that stimulates the release of insulin
from the pancreas. The nurse knows that this drug belongs
to which class of drugs?
a) sulfonylureas
b) biguanides
c) alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
d) thiazolidinediones
*Answer: a) sulfonylureas*
, Rationale: Sulfonylureas are drugs that bind to potassium
channels in the beta cells of the pancreas and cause
depolarization, which triggers the release of insulin. Insulin
is a hormone that lowers the blood glucose level by
facilitating its uptake by the cells. Sulfonylureas are
effective for patients with type 2 diabetes who have some
residual insulin secretion.
3. A patient with asthma is prescribed an inhaler that
contains a bronchodilator drug that relaxes the smooth
muscles of the airways. The nurse recognizes that this drug
has which mechanism of action?
a) activating the muscarinic receptors in the lungs
b) inhibiting the phosphodiesterase enzyme in the lungs
c) stimulating the beta-2 adrenergic receptors in the lungs
d) blocking the leukotriene receptors in the lungs
*Answer: c) stimulating the beta-2 adrenergic receptors in
the lungs*
Rationale: Beta-2 adrenergic agonists are drugs that mimic
the action of epinephrine and norepinephrine on the beta-2
receptors, which are located in the smooth muscles of the
bronchi and bronchioles. By activating these receptors,
these drugs cause relaxation of the smooth muscles and
dilation of the airways, thus improving airflow and
reducing wheezing and shortness of breath.
4. A patient with schizophrenia is prescribed an
antipsychotic drug that reduces the positive symptoms such
as hallucinations and delusions. The nurse explains that this
drug works by:
