ADVANCED WGU D116
PHARMACOLOGY STUDY GUIDE UNIT
2 AND 3 COMBINED PRACTICE
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS 2025/2026
A mnemonic is commonly used to remember the signs and symptoms of
antimuscarinic (anticholinergic) toxicity. - ANSWER- Hot as a hare
(hyperthermia)
Dry as a bone (dry eyes, dry mouth, dry skin)
Red as a beet (flushed face)
Blind as a bat (mydriasis)
Mad as a hatter (delirium)
Muscarinic Agonists - ANSWER- bind to muscarinic receptors and thereby
cause receptor activation. Because nearly all muscarinic receptors are associated
with the parasympathetic nervous system, responses to muscarinic agonists
closely resemble those produced by stimulation of parasympathetic nerves.
Accordingly, muscarinic agonists are also known as parasympathomimetic
agents.
Page | 1
,Bethanechol (Urecholine) (prototype) - ANSWER- A direct-acting muscarinic
agonist. The drug binds reversibly to muscarinic cholinergic receptors to cause
activation. At therapeutic doses, bethanechol acts selectively at muscarinic
receptors, having little or no effect on nicotinic receptors, either in ganglia or in
skeletal muscle.
Cevimeline (Evoxac) - ANSWER- A derivative of acetylcholine with actions
much like those of bethanechol. The drug relieves xerostomia (dry mouth) in
patients with Sjögren syndrome, an autoimmune disorder. Relieves dry mouth
by activating muscarinic receptors on residual healthy tissue in salivary glands,
thereby promoting salivation.
Pilocarpine - ANSWER- A muscarinic agonist used mainly for topical therapy
of glaucoma, an ophthalmic disorder characterized by elevated intraocular
pressure (IOP) with subsequent injury to the optic nerve.
CNS neurotransmitters (Monoamines) - ANSWER- Dopamine
Epinephrine
Norepinephrine
Serotonin
CNS neurotransmitters (Amino Acids) - ANSWER- Aspartate
Gamma-aminobutyric acid
Glutamate
2|Page
,Glycine
CNS neurotransmitters (Purines) - ANSWER- Adenosine
Adenosine Monophosphate
Adenosine Triphosphate
CNS Neurotransmitters (Opioid Peptides) - ANSWER- Dynorphins
Endorphins
Enkephalins
CNS Neurotransmitter (Nonopioid peptides) - ANSWER- Neurotensin Oxytocin
Somatostatin
Substance P
Vasopressin
CNS neurotransmitters (Others) - ANSWER- Acetylcholine
Histamine
Anticholinergics (muscarinic antagonists) - ANSWER- Inhibit effects of
Acetylcholine on Muscarinic Receptors
Anticholinergic drugs - ANSWER- Benztropine
Page | 3
, Oxybutynin
ATropine
Scopolamine
Benztropine (Cogentin) - ANSWER- A muscarinic antagonist that acts on the
CNS, and can be used together with levodopa therapy for Parkinson's patients. It
is often used for parkinsonian symptoms which can accompany antipsychotic
medications
Oxybutynin (Ditropan) - ANSWER- an antispasmodic medication that inhibits
the muscarinic action of acetylcholine on smooth muscle. By decreasing bladder
spasms, this drug is indicated for frequent urination and urge incontinence
Atropine (prototype) - ANSWER- a muscarinic antagonist that has numerous
uses. It is often used as cycloplegic and dilates the pupils. It is also used in cases
of bradycardia (blocks actions of the vagus nerve). Used for reversal of
organophosphate poisoning and helps decrease secretions and
bronchoconstriction
Scopolamine - ANSWER- a muscarinic antagonist that can be administered
orally, intravenously, or transdermally. In addition to the treatment of motion
sickness, it has amnestic and sedative properties.
Ipatropium Bromide (Atrovent) - ANSWER- An anticholinergic drug used to
treat asthma, COPD, and rhinitis caused by allergies or the common cold. The
4|Page
PHARMACOLOGY STUDY GUIDE UNIT
2 AND 3 COMBINED PRACTICE
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS 2025/2026
A mnemonic is commonly used to remember the signs and symptoms of
antimuscarinic (anticholinergic) toxicity. - ANSWER- Hot as a hare
(hyperthermia)
Dry as a bone (dry eyes, dry mouth, dry skin)
Red as a beet (flushed face)
Blind as a bat (mydriasis)
Mad as a hatter (delirium)
Muscarinic Agonists - ANSWER- bind to muscarinic receptors and thereby
cause receptor activation. Because nearly all muscarinic receptors are associated
with the parasympathetic nervous system, responses to muscarinic agonists
closely resemble those produced by stimulation of parasympathetic nerves.
Accordingly, muscarinic agonists are also known as parasympathomimetic
agents.
Page | 1
,Bethanechol (Urecholine) (prototype) - ANSWER- A direct-acting muscarinic
agonist. The drug binds reversibly to muscarinic cholinergic receptors to cause
activation. At therapeutic doses, bethanechol acts selectively at muscarinic
receptors, having little or no effect on nicotinic receptors, either in ganglia or in
skeletal muscle.
Cevimeline (Evoxac) - ANSWER- A derivative of acetylcholine with actions
much like those of bethanechol. The drug relieves xerostomia (dry mouth) in
patients with Sjögren syndrome, an autoimmune disorder. Relieves dry mouth
by activating muscarinic receptors on residual healthy tissue in salivary glands,
thereby promoting salivation.
Pilocarpine - ANSWER- A muscarinic agonist used mainly for topical therapy
of glaucoma, an ophthalmic disorder characterized by elevated intraocular
pressure (IOP) with subsequent injury to the optic nerve.
CNS neurotransmitters (Monoamines) - ANSWER- Dopamine
Epinephrine
Norepinephrine
Serotonin
CNS neurotransmitters (Amino Acids) - ANSWER- Aspartate
Gamma-aminobutyric acid
Glutamate
2|Page
,Glycine
CNS neurotransmitters (Purines) - ANSWER- Adenosine
Adenosine Monophosphate
Adenosine Triphosphate
CNS Neurotransmitters (Opioid Peptides) - ANSWER- Dynorphins
Endorphins
Enkephalins
CNS Neurotransmitter (Nonopioid peptides) - ANSWER- Neurotensin Oxytocin
Somatostatin
Substance P
Vasopressin
CNS neurotransmitters (Others) - ANSWER- Acetylcholine
Histamine
Anticholinergics (muscarinic antagonists) - ANSWER- Inhibit effects of
Acetylcholine on Muscarinic Receptors
Anticholinergic drugs - ANSWER- Benztropine
Page | 3
, Oxybutynin
ATropine
Scopolamine
Benztropine (Cogentin) - ANSWER- A muscarinic antagonist that acts on the
CNS, and can be used together with levodopa therapy for Parkinson's patients. It
is often used for parkinsonian symptoms which can accompany antipsychotic
medications
Oxybutynin (Ditropan) - ANSWER- an antispasmodic medication that inhibits
the muscarinic action of acetylcholine on smooth muscle. By decreasing bladder
spasms, this drug is indicated for frequent urination and urge incontinence
Atropine (prototype) - ANSWER- a muscarinic antagonist that has numerous
uses. It is often used as cycloplegic and dilates the pupils. It is also used in cases
of bradycardia (blocks actions of the vagus nerve). Used for reversal of
organophosphate poisoning and helps decrease secretions and
bronchoconstriction
Scopolamine - ANSWER- a muscarinic antagonist that can be administered
orally, intravenously, or transdermally. In addition to the treatment of motion
sickness, it has amnestic and sedative properties.
Ipatropium Bromide (Atrovent) - ANSWER- An anticholinergic drug used to
treat asthma, COPD, and rhinitis caused by allergies or the common cold. The
4|Page
