FOCUS ON NURSING PHARMACOLOGY

1. The nurse administers an adrenergic blocking agent in order to prevent release of what neurotransmitter? a. Epinephrine b. Norepinephrine c. Serotonin d. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) Ans: B Feedback: Adrenergic blocking agents prevent norepinephrine from being released from the adrenal medulla or from the nerve terminal from activating the receptor, which blocks sympathetic nervous system effects. Epinephrine, serotonin, and GABA are not associated with this process. 2. What med...

1. The patient has had cevimeline (Evoxac) prescribed. What would be an appropriate dosing schedule for the nurse to administer this drug? a. Once a day b. Twice a day c. Three times a day d. Every 4 hours Ans: C Feedback: Cevimeline should be given three times a day with meals. Once or twice a day dosing would cause a decrease in therapeutic effects of the drug and every 4 hours could lead to toxicity. 2. A student asks the pharmacology instructor to describe the function of a choli...

1. A patient is admitted to the emergency department in shock. Isoproterenol (Isuprel) is administered. What would the nurse expect the effect of the isoproterenol to be? a. Increased blood pressure b. Decreased blood pressure c. Increased body temperature d. Decreased heart rate Ans: A Feedback: Isoproterenol stimulates beta-adrenergic receptors. Blood pressure is increased and heart rate is increased. Body temperature should not be affected. 2. What action do sympathomimetic drugs ...

1. According to the sliding filament theory, what is the initial action in a muscle contraction? a. Troponin is freed and prevents actin and myosin from reacting with each other. b. Calcium binds to troponin, which causes the release of actin and myosin binding sites. c. Actin and myosin molecules react with each other sliding along the filament and making it shorter. d. Muscle filament relaxes or slides back to the resting position. Ans: C Feedback: Actin and myosin molecules react wi...

1. The central nervous system (CNS) cells, where the impulses for the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) originate, are located where? a. Cranium and sacral area of the spinal cord b. Hypothalamus and the medulla c. Nerve membranes d. Thoracic and lumbar sections of the spinal cord Ans: D Feedback: The SNS is also called the thoracolumbar system because the CNS cells, where the impulses for the SNS originate, are located in the thoracic and lumbar sections of the spinal cord. The parasymp...

1. To decrease sympathetic stimulation in balanced anesthesia type of what agent would be used? a. Antihistamines b. Antiemetics c. Narcotics d. Sedative-hypnotics Ans: D Feedback: Sedative-hypnotics relax the patient, facilitate amnesia, and decrease sympathetic stimulation. Antihistamines decrease the chance of allergic reaction and help dry secretions. Antiemetics decrease the nausea and vomiting associated with gastrointestinal (GI) depression. Narcotics aid in the analgesic and sed...

1. The nurse is teaching a class on muscular coordination and explains it is the movement of what electrolyte that contributes to the process of muscle contraction and relaxation? a. Calcium b. Chloride c. Magnesium d. Hydrogen Ans: A Feedback: Calcium is released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, which leads to the binding of calcium with troponintropomyosin. This leads to contraction of the muscle fiber. The calcium pump then moves calcium back into the sarcoplasmic reticulum, which le...

1. A geriatric patient received a narcotic analgesic before leaving the post-anesthesia care unit to return to the regular unit. What is the priority nursing action for the nurse receiving the patient on the regular unit? a. Administer a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. b. Encourage fluids. c. Create a restful, dark, quiet environment. d. Put side rails up and place bed in low position. Ans: D Feedback: Older patients are more susceptible to the central nervous system effects of na...

1. Degeneration in neurons that release a neurotransmitter leads to Parkinson’s disease. What neurotransmitter is involved? a. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) b. Acetylcholine c. Dopamine d. Serotonin Ans: C Feedback: Degeneration of dopamine-releasing neurons in the substantia nigra leads to Parkinson’s disease. When dopamine is decreased in the area of the corpus striatum, a chemical imbalance allows the cholinergic or excitatory cells to dominate. This affects the functioning of t...

1. A group of patients are being screened to see which patients would be the best candidate for a psychotherapeutic drug trial that helps people concentrate longer on activities. Which patient would be best suited for this trial? a. A 28-year-old salesperson who alternates between overactivity and periods of depression b. A 32-year-old hyperactive nursing student who cannot focus long enough to take a test c. A 55-year-old physician who suddenly falls asleep during the day without warning d....