Chapter 32  Cholinergic Agonists

Chapter 32  Cholinergic Agonists

Complete Chapter Questions And Answers
 

Sample Questions

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 cholinergic agonist. What
would the instructor reply?

A) Cholinergic agonists increase the activity of dopamine receptor sites throughout the brain and
spinal cord.

B) Cholinergic agonists decrease the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor sites
throughout the body.

C) Cholinergic agonists increase the activity of acetylcholine receptor sites throughout the body.

D) Cholinergic agonists decrease the activity of norepinephrine receptor sites throughout the brain and
spinal cord.

Ans: C

Feedback:

Cholinergic agonists are drugs that increase the activity of acetylcholine receptor sites throughout the
body. Dopamine, GABA, and norepinephrine are not associated with cholinergic agonist function.

3. A 10-year-old child with spina bifida is receiving bethanechol (Urecholine) for treatment of neurogenic
bladder. What adverse effect will the nurse assess for?

Test Bank – Focus on Nursing Pharmacology (7th Edition by Amy Karch) 521

A) Constipation

B) Loss of bowel and bladder control

C) Decrease salivation

D) Increased appetite

Ans: B

Feedback:

Loss of bowel and bladder control is an adverse effect of cholinergic agents that would cause stress in a
child. Diarrhea and increased salivation are also adverse effects. Increased appetite is not associated
with these drugs. Children are more likely to have gastrointestinal (GI) upset that could result in a
decrease in appetite.

4. A nurse is writing a plan of care for a patient who is taking bethanechol (Urecholine). What would be
an appropriate outcome for this patient?

A) Pupillary dilation

B) Increased blood pressure

C) Improved bladder function

D) Decreased secretions

Ans: C

Feedback:

Bethanechol is prescribed for nonobstructive urinary retention and neurogenic bladder. The appropriate
outcome for this patient would be improved bladder function. This drug causes pupillary constriction
and increased secretions. This drug would not increase blood pressure. However, it could cause
hypotension in the older patient.

5. What drug is the nurse likely to administer to diagnose myasthenia gravis in a child?

A) Atropine (generic)

B) Bethanechol (Urecholine)

C) Edrophonium (Enlon, Reversol)

D) Neostigmine (Prostigmine)

Ans: C

Feedback:

Edrophonium is the drug of choice for diagnosing myasthenia gravis. Bethanechol is used to treat
neurogenic bladder. Neostigmine is used for treatment of myasthenia gravis and could be used for
diagnosis if edrophonium could not be used. Atropine is an anticholinergic drug and would not be used
to test for myasthenia gravis.