Pharmacology Autonomic Nervous System Agents Questions and Answers

Question 1

A 68-year-old male with open-angle glaucoma is prescribed pilocarpine eye drops. What is the primary mechanism by which this medication lowers intraocular pressure?

Accepted Answer

Increasing the outflow of aqueous humor by causing contraction of the ciliary muscle.

Answer

Decreasing the production of aqueous humor by acting on beta-receptors in the ciliary body.

Answer

Relaxing the iris sphincter muscle to widen the trabecular meshwork.

Answer

Blocking alpha-adrenergic receptors in the uveoscleral pathway.

Question 2

A patient with asthma requires a rescue inhaler for acute bronchospasm. Which of the following agents is most appropriate due to its selective action on bronchial smooth muscle?

Accepted Answer

Albuterol

Answer

Phenylephrine

Answer

Norepinephrine

Answer

Dobutamine

Question 3

A patient is being treated with a medication that has significant anticholinergic properties. Which of the following side effects is most consistent with this drug's profile?

Accepted Answer

Urinary retention

Answer

Excessive salivation

Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Pupillary constriction (miosis)

Question 4

A surgeon administers neostigmine to a patient at the end of a procedure to reverse the effects of a non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocker. What is the mechanism of action for neostigmine?

Accepted Answer

It inhibits the breakdown of acetylcholine by acetylcholinesterase.

Answer

It directly stimulates nicotinic receptors at the neuromuscular junction.

Answer

It acts as a competitive antagonist at the same receptor as the neuromuscular blocker.

Answer

It blocks the reuptake of acetylcholine into the presynaptic terminal.

Question 5

A 72-year-old male treated for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with tamsulosin, an alpha-1A selective antagonist, reports feeling dizzy, especially when standing up from a seated position. This side effect is best explained by which of the following effects of the drug?

Accepted Answer

Relaxation of vascular smooth muscle.

Answer

Negative inotropic effect on the heart.

Answer

Bronchoconstriction leading to hypoxia.

Answer

Central nervous system depression.

Question 6

When comparing the primary hemodynamic effects of intravenous epinephrine and norepinephrine at typical clinical doses, which statement is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

Epinephrine has a more potent effect on beta-2 receptors, leading to vasodilation in certain vascular beds.

Answer

Norepinephrine causes a greater increase in heart rate than epinephrine.

Answer

Epinephrine primarily increases systolic blood pressure, while norepinephrine primarily increases diastolic blood pressure.

Answer

Norepinephrine is a potent bronchodilator, while epinephrine has minimal effect on the airways.