NR 293 DRUG CLASSIFICATIONS
3 Study Quizzes
Q&A
2024
,1. A patient with hypertension is prescribed a beta-blocker
drug. The nurse knows that this drug works by:
a) blocking the effects of epinephrine on the heart and
blood vessels
b) inhibiting the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin
II
c) decreasing the reabsorption of sodium and water in the
kidneys
d) dilating the arteries and veins to reduce the workload of
the heart
*Answer: a) blocking the effects of epinephrine on the
heart and blood vessels*
Rationale: Beta-blockers are drugs that block the beta-
adrenergic receptors, which are stimulated by epinephrine
(adrenaline). By blocking these receptors, beta-blockers
reduce the heart rate, blood pressure, and cardiac output,
thus lowering the blood pressure.
2. A patient with diabetes mellitus is prescribed an oral
hypoglycemic agent. The nurse knows that this drug works
by:
a) stimulating the pancreas to secrete more insulin
b) increasing the sensitivity of the cells to insulin
c) inhibiting the breakdown of glycogen in the liver
d) preventing the absorption of glucose from the intestines
*Answer: b) increasing the sensitivity of the cells to
insulin*
Rationale: Oral hypoglycemic agents are drugs that lower
the blood glucose level by increasing the uptake of glucose
, by the cells. They do not affect the secretion of insulin by
the pancreas, but rather enhance the action of insulin on the
cells.
3. A patient with asthma is prescribed an inhaled
corticosteroid drug. The nurse knows that this drug works
by:
a) relaxing the smooth muscles of the airways
b) suppressing the inflammatory response in the lungs
c) blocking the production of histamine in the mast cells
d) increasing the secretion of mucus in the bronchi
*Answer: b) suppressing the inflammatory response in the
lungs*
Rationale: Inhaled corticosteroids are drugs that reduce
inflammation and swelling in the airways, which are
common features of asthma. They do not act as
bronchodilators, antihistamines, or expectorants, but rather
modulate the immune system.
4. A patient with depression is prescribed a selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) drug. The nurse knows
that this drug works by:
a) increasing the amount of serotonin in the synaptic cleft
b) decreasing the breakdown of serotonin in the brain
c) mimicking the effects of serotonin on the receptors
d) enhancing the release of serotonin from the presynaptic
neuron
*Answer: a) increasing the amount of serotonin in the
synaptic cleft*
Rationale: SSRIs are drugs that inhibit the reuptake of
3 Study Quizzes
Q&A
2024
,1. A patient with hypertension is prescribed a beta-blocker
drug. The nurse knows that this drug works by:
a) blocking the effects of epinephrine on the heart and
blood vessels
b) inhibiting the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin
II
c) decreasing the reabsorption of sodium and water in the
kidneys
d) dilating the arteries and veins to reduce the workload of
the heart
*Answer: a) blocking the effects of epinephrine on the
heart and blood vessels*
Rationale: Beta-blockers are drugs that block the beta-
adrenergic receptors, which are stimulated by epinephrine
(adrenaline). By blocking these receptors, beta-blockers
reduce the heart rate, blood pressure, and cardiac output,
thus lowering the blood pressure.
2. A patient with diabetes mellitus is prescribed an oral
hypoglycemic agent. The nurse knows that this drug works
by:
a) stimulating the pancreas to secrete more insulin
b) increasing the sensitivity of the cells to insulin
c) inhibiting the breakdown of glycogen in the liver
d) preventing the absorption of glucose from the intestines
*Answer: b) increasing the sensitivity of the cells to
insulin*
Rationale: Oral hypoglycemic agents are drugs that lower
the blood glucose level by increasing the uptake of glucose
, by the cells. They do not affect the secretion of insulin by
the pancreas, but rather enhance the action of insulin on the
cells.
3. A patient with asthma is prescribed an inhaled
corticosteroid drug. The nurse knows that this drug works
by:
a) relaxing the smooth muscles of the airways
b) suppressing the inflammatory response in the lungs
c) blocking the production of histamine in the mast cells
d) increasing the secretion of mucus in the bronchi
*Answer: b) suppressing the inflammatory response in the
lungs*
Rationale: Inhaled corticosteroids are drugs that reduce
inflammation and swelling in the airways, which are
common features of asthma. They do not act as
bronchodilators, antihistamines, or expectorants, but rather
modulate the immune system.
4. A patient with depression is prescribed a selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) drug. The nurse knows
that this drug works by:
a) increasing the amount of serotonin in the synaptic cleft
b) decreasing the breakdown of serotonin in the brain
c) mimicking the effects of serotonin on the receptors
d) enhancing the release of serotonin from the presynaptic
neuron
*Answer: a) increasing the amount of serotonin in the
synaptic cleft*
Rationale: SSRIs are drugs that inhibit the reuptake of
