Drugs Affecting the Autonomic Ganglia: Pharmacology for Nurses

Question 1

Which of the following is a non-selective alpha-blocker used to treat hypertension and benign prostatic hyperplasia?

Accepted Answer

Terazosin

Answer

Phenylephrine

Answer

Propranolol

Answer

Epinephrine

Question 2

What is the primary mechanism of action of ganglionic stimulants?

Accepted Answer

Stimulating acetylcholine release

Answer

Inhibiting ganglionic transmission

Answer

Blocking muscarinic receptors

Answer

Activating alpha-adrenergic receptors

Question 3

Which of the following accurately describes the mechanism of action of nicotine on the autonomic ganglia?

Accepted Answer

Stimulates the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor

Answer

Blocks the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor

Answer

Blocks muscarinic acetylcholine receptors

Answer

Stimulates GABAA receptors

Question 4

Indicate the primary clinical use of ganglionic blocking drugs.

Accepted Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Asthma

Answer

Parkinson's disease

Answer

Myasthenia gravis

Question 5

Which of the following correctly describes a common side effect associated with ganglionic blocking drugs?

Accepted Answer

Hypotension

Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Tachycardia

Answer

Hypertension

Question 6

Identify the drug that is an example of an anticholinergic ganglionic blocker.

Accepted Answer

Atropine

Answer

Trimethaphan

Answer

Hexamethonium

Answer

Mecamylamine

Question 7

Which of the following describes the primary mechanism of action of botulinum toxin?

Accepted Answer

Inhibits the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction

Answer

Stimulates the release of norepinephrine

Answer

Blocks the action of dopamine

Answer

Inhibits the synthesis of GABA

Question 8

Indicate a potential complication associated with botulinum toxin injection.

Accepted Answer

Dysphagia

Answer

Blurred vision

Answer

Tachycardia

Answer

Hypertension

Question 9

Identify a contraindication to the use of neostigmine.

Accepted Answer

Intestinal obstruction

Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Hyperthyroidism

Answer

Myasthenia gravis

Question 10

Identify a common side effect of guanadrel.

Accepted Answer

Orthostatic hypotension

Answer

Headache

Answer

Nausea

Answer

Constipation

Question 11

Which of the following is a clinical use of ganglionic blockers?

Accepted Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Myocardial infarction

Answer

Asthma

Answer

Glaucoma

Question 12

Which of the following is a potential adverse effect of ganglionic blockers?

Accepted Answer

Constipation

Answer

Tachycardia

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Tremor

Question 13

Which of the following drugs is an example of a ganglionic blocker?

Accepted Answer

Trimethaphan

Answer

Nicotine

Answer

Atropine

Answer

Phenylephrine

Question 14

Ganglionic blockers are used to treat hypertension primarily by:

Accepted Answer

Relaxing smooth muscles in blood vessels

Answer

Increasing heart rate

Answer

Inhibiting renin release

Answer

Stimulating the release of vasodilators

Question 15

Which of the following nursing considerations is most important when administering ganglionic blockers?

Accepted Answer

Monitor for orthostatic hypotension

Answer

Check for bradycardia

Answer

Assess for increased urine output

Answer

Administer with food

Question 16

Which of the following is a contraindication for the use of ganglionic blockers?

Accepted Answer

Hypotension

Answer

Pregnancy

Answer

Hyperthermia

Answer

Glaucoma

Question 17

Which of the following patient teaching points is most critical to emphasize when discharging a patient taking ganglionic blockers?

Accepted Answer

Report any dizziness or fainting

Answer

Take the medication with meals

Answer

Increase fluid intake

Answer

Monitor blood pressure regularly

Question 18

The primary nursing intervention when caring for a patient receiving ganglionic blockers is to:

Accepted Answer

Monitor vital signs frequently

Answer

Assess for signs of overdosage

Answer

Administer the medication subcutaneously

Answer

Encourage the patient to ambulate early

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the primary mechanism of action of ganglionic blocking agents?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of preganglionic nicotinic receptors

Answer

Stimulation of postganglionic nicotinic receptors

Answer

Stimulation of muscarinic receptors

Answer

Inhibition of muscarinic receptors

Question 20

Nicotine is an example of what type of ganglionic drug?

Accepted Answer

Ganglionic stimulant

Answer

Ganglionic blocker

Answer

Muscarinic agonist

Answer

Muscarinic antagonist

Question 21

Which of the following is a clinical application of ganglionic blocking agents?

Accepted Answer

Treatment of hypertension

Answer

Treatment of glaucoma

Answer

Treatment of myasthenia gravis

Answer

Treatment of asthma

Question 22

What is a potential drug interaction involving ganglionic blocking agents and other medications?

Accepted Answer

Increased hypotensive effect with antihypertensive agents

Answer

Decreased hypotensive effect with anticholinergics

Answer

Increased anticholinergic effect with anticholinergics

Answer

Decreased anticholinergic effect with antihypertensive agents

Question 23

Which of the following is a potential adverse effect of non-depolarizing ganglionic blocking agents?

Accepted Answer

Muscle weakness

Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Tachycardia

Answer

Hypertension

Question 24

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of ganglionic blockers to other drug classes for treating specific medical conditions.

Accepted Answer

Ganglionic blockers have a broader spectrum of action, which can result in more side effects than other drug classes.

Accepted Answer

Ganglionic blockers are contraindicated in patients with glaucoma due to the risk of pupillary dilation.

Answer

Ganglionic blockers are less effective than other drug classes for treating hypertension.

Question 25

Which patient monitoring parameters are critical to assess during ganglionic blocker administration?

Accepted Answer

Blood pressure, heart rate, and level of consciousness

Answer

Oxygen saturation and respiratory rate

Answer

Urinary output and bowel function

Answer

Pupillary response and skin temperature

Question 26

Which of the following drugs is a nicotinic **antagonist**?

Accepted Answer

Pancuronium

Answer

Succinylcholine

Answer

Edrophonium

Answer

Neostigmine

Question 27

What is a key **nursing intervention** when administering nicotinic agonists?

Accepted Answer

Monitoring for respiratory depression

Answer

Assessing for bradycardia

Answer

Encouraging increased fluid intake

Answer

Administering antihistamines

Question 28

What is the mechanism of action of muscarinic **antagonists**?

Accepted Answer

Binding to and blocking muscarinic acetylcholine receptors

Answer

Increasing intracellular cyclic AMP levels

Answer

Inhibiting phospholipase C

Answer

Stimulating potassium ion channels

Question 29

What is a potential **adverse effect** of muscarinic antagonists?

Accepted Answer

Urinary retention

Answer

Diaphoresis

Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Bronchospasm

Question 30

Which of the following is a key **nursing responsibility** when administering muscarinic antagonists?

Accepted Answer

Monitoring for urinary retention

Answer

Assessing for tachycardia

Answer

Encouraging increased fluid intake

Answer

Administering anticholinergics

Question 31

Which type of drug blocks both alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors?

Accepted Answer

Non-selective beta-blocker

Answer

Alpha-blocker

Answer

Cholinergic antagonist

Answer

Cholinergic agonist

Question 32

A patient with urinary retention is being treated with a drug that causes contraction of the detrusor muscle. Which drug is most likely being administered?

Accepted Answer

Cholinergic agonist

Answer

Beta-blocker

Answer

Cholinergic antagonist

Question 33

Which drug can be used to treat myasthenia gravis?

Accepted Answer

Cholinergic agonist

Answer

Alpha-blocker

Answer

Beta-blocker

Answer

Cholinergic antagonist

Question 34

What is the mechanism of action of ganglion blockers?

Accepted Answer

They block nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

Answer

They stimulate alpha-adrenergic receptors.

Answer

They bind to muscarinic acetylcholine receptors.

Answer

They inhibit acetylcholinesterase.

Question 35

A patient is taking a drug that causes relaxation of the bladder smooth muscle. Which drug is most likely being administered?

Accepted Answer

Cholinergic antagonist

Answer

Beta-blocker

Answer

Cholinergic agonist

Answer

Alpha-blocker

Question 36

Which drug is used to reverse the effects of non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents?

Accepted Answer

Cholinergic agonist

Answer

Alpha-blocker

Answer

Cholinergic antagonist

Answer

Beta-blocker

Question 37

Which drug is a selective alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist?

Accepted Answer

Terazosin

Answer

Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist

Answer

Cholinergic antagonist

Answer

Beta-blocker

Question 38

Identify the primary mechanism of action of nicotine-like drugs?

Accepted Answer

Activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

Answer

Blockade of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors

Answer

Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase

Answer

Depolarization of cell membranes

Question 39

Identify a potential side effect associated with the use of ganglion-blocking drugs:

Accepted Answer

Orthostatic hypotension

Answer

Increased gastric secretions

Answer

Tachycardia

Answer

Bronchodilation

Question 40

Classify the drug Hexamethonium based on its chemical structure:

Accepted Answer

Quaternary ammonium derivative

Answer

Atropine

Answer

Phenylephrine

Answer

Propranolol

Question 41

Nicotine-like drugs can induce hypertension. Explain the mechanism responsible for this effect:

Accepted Answer

Stimulation of nicotinic receptors in sympathetic ganglia

Answer

They block voltage-gated sodium channels.

Answer

They are used to treat myasthenia gravis.

Question 42

Identify the primary mechanism of action of muscarinic agonists:

Accepted Answer

Activation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors

Answer

Blockade of alpha-adrenergic receptors

Answer

Stimulation of histamine receptors

Answer

Inhibition of dopamine reuptake

Question 43

Glaucoma can be treated with muscarinic agonists. Explain why:

Accepted Answer

They cause miosis, which reduces intraocular pressure.

Answer

They increase heart rate, which improves circulation to the eye.

Answer

They block pain signals from reaching the brain.

Question 44

Ganglion-blocking drugs exert their effects by:

Accepted Answer

Competitively blocking nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

Answer

Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase

Answer

Activation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors

Question 45

A patient is prescribed a ganglionic blocking agent for severe hypertension. Which of the following adverse effects is MOST likely to occur?

Accepted Answer

Orthostatic hypotension

Answer

Bronchospasm

Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Excessive salivation

Question 46

Which of the following drugs acts as a nicotinic receptor antagonist at the autonomic ganglia?

Accepted Answer

Trimethaphan

Answer

Pilocarpine

Answer

Atropine

Answer

Bethanechol

Question 47

A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is experiencing acute bronchospasm. Which of the following drugs is MOST appropriate for immediate relief?

Accepted Answer

Ipratropium

Answer

Physostigmine

Answer

Nicotine

Answer

Edrophonium

Question 48

What is the primary mechanism of action of botulinum toxin?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of acetylcholine release from presynaptic neurons.

Answer

Stimulation of muscarinic receptors at the neuromuscular junction.

Answer

Enhancement of acetylcholine synthesis.

Answer

Blockade of nicotinic receptors at the autonomic ganglia.

Question 49

Which of the following drugs is commonly used to diagnose myasthenia gravis?

Accepted Answer

Edrophonium

Answer

Atropine

Answer

Pralidoxime

Answer

Scopolamine

Question 50

Which of the following is a potential adverse effect of excessive muscarinic stimulation?

Accepted Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Urinary retention

Answer

Constipation

Answer

Mydriasis (pupil dilation)

Question 51

A patient is experiencing urinary retention after surgery. Which of the following drugs is MOST likely to be prescribed to help alleviate this issue?

Accepted Answer

Bethanechol

Answer

Atropine

Answer

Epinephrine

Answer

Propranolol

Question 52

Which of the following drugs is classified as an indirect-acting sympathomimetic?

Accepted Answer

Amphetamine

Answer

Phenylephrine

Answer

Dobutamine

Answer

Isoproterenol

Question 53

A patient with asthma is prescribed albuterol. What is the primary mechanism of action of this drug?

Accepted Answer

Stimulation of beta-2 adrenergic receptors in the lungs.

Answer

Blockade of muscarinic receptors in the airways.

Answer

Direct stimulation of smooth muscle relaxation.

Answer

Inhibition of histamine release from mast cells.

Question 54

Which of the following is a potential adverse effect associated with the use of alpha-adrenergic antagonists?

Accepted Answer

Orthostatic hypotension

Answer

Tachycardia

Answer

Bronchospasm

Answer

Hypertension