NURS CH 6 PHARM EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS:
Respiratory Care Pharmacology QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS 2023
SUCCESS ASSUARED
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Adrenergic bronchodilators mimic the actions of
a. cAMP.
b. acetylcholine.
c. penicillin.
d. epinephrine.
ANS: D
Penicillin is an antibiotic, not a bronchodilator. All adrenergic (sympathomimetic) bronchodilators are
either catecholamines or derivatives of catecholamines. Catecholamines, or sympathomimetic amines,
mimic the actions of epinephrine more or less precisely, causing tachycardia, elevated blood pressure,
smooth muscle relaxation of bronchioles and skeletal muscle blood vessels, glycogenolysis, skeletal
muscle tremor, and central nervous system stimulation.
REF: p. 98 | p. 99
2. Relaxation of smooth airway muscle in the presence of reversible airflow obstruction
is a general indication for the use of
a. mucolytics.
b. adrenergic bronchodilators.
c. antiinfective agents.
d. steroids.
ANS: B
Short-acting b2 agonists such as albuterol and levalbuterol are indicated for relief of acute reversible
,NURS CH 6 PHARM EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS:
Respiratory Care Pharmacology QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS 2023
SUCCESS ASSUARED
airflow obstruction in asthma or other obstructive airway diseases. Although mucolytics may help
reduce the increased mucus production associated with complicated asthma, they do not reverse
bronchoconstriction. Antiinfective agents help fight bacterial or viral infections, but they do not
reverse airflow obstruction. Steroids help fight the inflammation associated with asthma; however,
they are not fast-acting and cannot reverse airflow obstruction associated with bronchoconstriction.
REF: p. 98
3. Disease states that could benefit from the use of adrenergic bronchodilators
include which of the following?
1. Asthma
2. Bronchitis
3. Emphysema
4. Bronchiectasis
5. Pleural effusion
a. 1 and 3 only
b. 2, 4, and 5 only
c. 1, 2, 3, and 4 only
d. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
ANS: C
Adrenergic bronchodilators would not reverse a pleural effusion. The general indication for use of an
adrenergic bronchodilator is relaxation of airway smooth muscle in the presence of reversible airflow
obstruction associated with acute and chronic asthma (including exercise-induced asthma), bronchitis,
emphysema, bronchiectasis, and other obstructive airway diseases.
,NURS CH 6 PHARM EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS:
Respiratory Care Pharmacology QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS 2023
SUCCESS ASSUARED
REF: p. 98
, NURS CH 6 PHARM EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS:
Respiratory Care Pharmacology QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS 2023
SUCCESS ASSUARED
4. Short-acting b2 agonists are indicated for
a. reduction of airway edema.
b. relief of acute reversible airflow obstruction.
c. maintenance of bronchodilation.
d. thinning of secretions.
ANS: B
Steroids, not b agonists, are useful in reducing airway swelling. Short-acting b2 agonists such as albuterol
and levalbuterol are indicated for relief of acute reversible airflow obstruction in asthma or other
obstructive airway diseases. Long-acting b agonists are used for maintenance bronchodilation. b agonists
are not mucus-controlling agents.
REF: p. 98
5. Your patient is diagnosed with persistent asthma. Which type of drug would
you recommend for maintenance bronchodilation and control of bronchospasm?
a. Short-acting adrenergic agent
b. Long-acting adrenergic agent
c. a-adrenergic agent
d. Mucolytic agent
ANS: B
Short-acting adrenergics are effective rescue medications, but they do not provide the long-term relief
needed with the nocturnal symptoms often associated with persistent asthma. Long-acting agents, such
as salmeterol, formoterol, arformoterol, indacaterol, and olodaterol are indicated for maintenance
bronchodilation and control of bronchospasm and nocturnal symptoms in asthma or other obstructive
diseases. Adrenergic agents that are a-specific may not provide the b-specific bronchodilation
Respiratory Care Pharmacology QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS 2023
SUCCESS ASSUARED
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Adrenergic bronchodilators mimic the actions of
a. cAMP.
b. acetylcholine.
c. penicillin.
d. epinephrine.
ANS: D
Penicillin is an antibiotic, not a bronchodilator. All adrenergic (sympathomimetic) bronchodilators are
either catecholamines or derivatives of catecholamines. Catecholamines, or sympathomimetic amines,
mimic the actions of epinephrine more or less precisely, causing tachycardia, elevated blood pressure,
smooth muscle relaxation of bronchioles and skeletal muscle blood vessels, glycogenolysis, skeletal
muscle tremor, and central nervous system stimulation.
REF: p. 98 | p. 99
2. Relaxation of smooth airway muscle in the presence of reversible airflow obstruction
is a general indication for the use of
a. mucolytics.
b. adrenergic bronchodilators.
c. antiinfective agents.
d. steroids.
ANS: B
Short-acting b2 agonists such as albuterol and levalbuterol are indicated for relief of acute reversible
,NURS CH 6 PHARM EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS:
Respiratory Care Pharmacology QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS 2023
SUCCESS ASSUARED
airflow obstruction in asthma or other obstructive airway diseases. Although mucolytics may help
reduce the increased mucus production associated with complicated asthma, they do not reverse
bronchoconstriction. Antiinfective agents help fight bacterial or viral infections, but they do not
reverse airflow obstruction. Steroids help fight the inflammation associated with asthma; however,
they are not fast-acting and cannot reverse airflow obstruction associated with bronchoconstriction.
REF: p. 98
3. Disease states that could benefit from the use of adrenergic bronchodilators
include which of the following?
1. Asthma
2. Bronchitis
3. Emphysema
4. Bronchiectasis
5. Pleural effusion
a. 1 and 3 only
b. 2, 4, and 5 only
c. 1, 2, 3, and 4 only
d. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
ANS: C
Adrenergic bronchodilators would not reverse a pleural effusion. The general indication for use of an
adrenergic bronchodilator is relaxation of airway smooth muscle in the presence of reversible airflow
obstruction associated with acute and chronic asthma (including exercise-induced asthma), bronchitis,
emphysema, bronchiectasis, and other obstructive airway diseases.
,NURS CH 6 PHARM EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS:
Respiratory Care Pharmacology QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS 2023
SUCCESS ASSUARED
REF: p. 98
, NURS CH 6 PHARM EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS:
Respiratory Care Pharmacology QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS 2023
SUCCESS ASSUARED
4. Short-acting b2 agonists are indicated for
a. reduction of airway edema.
b. relief of acute reversible airflow obstruction.
c. maintenance of bronchodilation.
d. thinning of secretions.
ANS: B
Steroids, not b agonists, are useful in reducing airway swelling. Short-acting b2 agonists such as albuterol
and levalbuterol are indicated for relief of acute reversible airflow obstruction in asthma or other
obstructive airway diseases. Long-acting b agonists are used for maintenance bronchodilation. b agonists
are not mucus-controlling agents.
REF: p. 98
5. Your patient is diagnosed with persistent asthma. Which type of drug would
you recommend for maintenance bronchodilation and control of bronchospasm?
a. Short-acting adrenergic agent
b. Long-acting adrenergic agent
c. a-adrenergic agent
d. Mucolytic agent
ANS: B
Short-acting adrenergics are effective rescue medications, but they do not provide the long-term relief
needed with the nocturnal symptoms often associated with persistent asthma. Long-acting agents, such
as salmeterol, formoterol, arformoterol, indacaterol, and olodaterol are indicated for maintenance
bronchodilation and control of bronchospasm and nocturnal symptoms in asthma or other obstructive
diseases. Adrenergic agents that are a-specific may not provide the b-specific bronchodilation
