A student ask the pharmacology instructor to explain the action of anticholinergic agents. What would be the instructor's best response?

They increase norepinephrine at the neuromuscular junction

They act to block the effects of the parasympathetic nervous system

They compete with serotonin for muscarinic acetylcholine receptor sites

They block nicotinic receptors

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A) They increase norepinephrine at the neuromuscular junction: Anticholinergic agents do not directly increase norepinephrine at the neuromuscular junction. Instead, they work by blocking acetylcholine receptors (specifically muscarinic receptors) in the parasympathetic nervous system, which reduces parasympathetic activity. Norepinephrine is primarily involved in the sympathetic nervous system, not the action of anticholinergics.

B) They act to block the effects of the parasympathetic nervous system: This is the correct explanation. Anticholinergic agents work by inhibiting the action of acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors, which are part of the parasympathetic nervous system. By blocking these receptors, anticholinergics reduce parasympathetic effects such as slowing of the heart rate, increased glandular secretions, and smooth muscle contraction, leading to effects like increased heart rate, dry mouth, and bronchodilation.

C) They compete with serotonin for muscarinic acetylcholine receptor sites: Anticholinergic drugs do not interact with serotonin receptors. They specifically target muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, which are involved in parasympathetic responses. Serotonin is a different neurotransmitter, and while some drugs may affect both serotonin and acetylcholine pathways, anticholinergic agents do not compete with serotonin at these receptor sites.

D) They block nicotinic receptors: Anticholinergics typically block muscarinic receptors, not nicotinic receptors. Nicotinic receptors are involved in the transmission of signals at the neuromuscular junction and in the autonomic ganglia, while muscarinic receptors are primarily involved in parasympathetic functions. Blocking nicotinic receptors would have different effects and is not the action of anticholinergic agents.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A) Tacrine (Cognex): Tacrine is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease to improve cognitive function. It is not typically used for Parkinson's disease, which is characterized by motor symptoms such as tremors, shuffling gait, and rigidity.

B) Rivastigmine (Exelon): Rivastigmine is another acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, similar to Tacrine, primarily used to treat Alzheimer's disease or dementia-related symptoms. While it helps with cognitive symptoms, it is not effective in treating the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

C) Carbidopa-levodopa (Sinemet): This is the correct answer. Carbidopa-levodopa (Sinemet) is the gold standard treatment for Parkinson's disease. Levodopa is a precursor to dopamine, which helps address the dopamine deficiency in the brain that causes symptoms like tremors, shuffling gait, and lack of facial expression (masked facies). Carbidopa is added to prevent levodopa from being broken down before it reaches the brain, enhancing its effectiveness.

D) Donepezil (Aricept): Donepezil is also an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used primarily in Alzheimer's disease. Like Tacrine and Rivastigmine, it works to improve cognitive function but does not treat the motor symptoms seen in Parkinson's disease. It would not be appropriate for managing the patient's Parkinsonian symptoms.

A. A 41-yr-old man with kidney stones B. A 62-yr-old woman with acute renal failure C. A 35-yr-old woman with cervical cancer D. A 50-yr-old man with cirrhosis of the liver

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A) A 41-year-old man with kidney stones:
Kidney stones primarily affect the urinary system, and while the kidneys play a role in drug excretion, kidney stones themselves do not directly interfere with drug metabolism. Drug metabolism occurs mainly in the liver, so alterations due to kidney stones would be less likely. The liver is where most drug metabolism takes place, so drug metabolism in this case would likely be unaffected by kidney stones.

B) A 62-year-old woman with acute renal failure:
Acute renal failure impacts the kidneys' ability to filter and excrete drugs, but it doesn't directly affect the liver's ability to metabolize drugs. Renal failure can lead to drug accumulation due to decreased clearance, but metabolism (primarily liver function) is not usually altered unless the patient also has hepatic dysfunction.

C) A 35-year-old woman with cervical cancer:
Cervical cancer itself does not directly affect drug metabolism. While cancer treatments like chemotherapy or radiation therapy can affect liver and kidney function (which could impact drug metabolism), cervical cancer itself does not typically alter the metabolic pathways that drugs undergo in the body.

D) A 50-year-old man with cirrhosis of the liver:
Cirrhosis of the liver significantly impacts the liver's ability to metabolize drugs. The liver is the primary organ responsible for drug metabolism, and cirrhosis can lead to a decreased ability to break down medications, potentially resulting in drug toxicity or suboptimal therapeutic effects.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A student ask the pharmacology instructor to explain the action of anticholinergic agents. What would be the instructor's best response?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

An older patient exhibits a shuffling gait, lack of facial expression, and tremors at rest. The nurse will expect the provider to order which medication for this patient?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Drugs do not metabolize the same way in all people. For what patient would a nurse expect to assess for an alteration in drug metabolism?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A patient reports weakness of the extremities and diplopia. The nurse knows that these symptoms are characteristic of which condition?

The nurse assumes care of a patient who has myasthenia gravis and notes that a dose of neostigmine (Prostigmin) due 1 hour prior was not given. The nurse will anticipate the patient to exhibit which symptoms?

Which of these is a neurotransmitter?

A patient who has Parkinson disease is being treated with the anticholinergic medication benztropine (Cogentin). The nurse will tell the patient that this drug will have which effect?

When hormones, formed within a cell, move across the cell membrane, the process is call what?

A patient who has been diagnosed with depression asks why the provider has not ordered a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor to treat the disorder. The nurse will explain to the patient that MAO inhibitors

A client primary care provider prescribed a B-adrenergic receptor blocker. Which of the following therapeutic effects do the client and care provider likely seek?

A patient has symptoms that are characteristic of multiple sclerosis (MS). Which diagnostic tests are likely to be ordered to aid in the diagnosis of this patient?