Medical Pharmacology Practice Questions: Autonomic, Adrenergic Pharmacology

Primary neurotransmitter released by postganglionic neurons of the autonomic sympathetic system:
1. epinephrine
2. dopamine
3. dobutamine
4. norepinephrine
5. phenylephrine
Decreased heart rate following norepinephrine infusion is most likely due to:
1. direct norepinephrine activation of muscarinic receptors at the SA node
2. heart rate cannot decrease following norepinephrine infusion because norepinephrine activates beta-1 adrenergic receptors
3. activation of the baroreceptor system causing a reflex-mediated decrease in heart rate
4. peripheral vasodilation
5. none of the above
Vascular effects of norepinephrine (Levophed):
1. significantly decreases glomerularl filtration rates
2. effective in treating variant (Prinzmetal's) angina
3. norepinephrine pressor effects blocked by prazosin (Minipress)
4. increased blood flow to liver, kidney, and skeletal muscle
Immediate synthetic precursor of norepinephrine:
1. epinephrine
2. tyrosine
3. tyrosine hydroxylase
4. dopamine
5. dopa
CNS neurotransmitter associated with the basal ganglia and motor control:
1. dopamine
2. acetylcholine
3. both
4. neither
Low doses, this precursor of norepinephrine causes renovascular dilation:
1. epinephrine
2. dopa
3. dopamine (Intropin)
4. dobutamine (Dobutrex)
5. nitroprusside sodium (Nipride)
Pharmacological action(s) of dopamine (Intropin):
1. positive inotropism
2. promotes myocardial norepinephrine release
3. increases glomerular filtration rates (low-dose)
4. vasoconstriction by alpha-1 receptor activation (high-dose)
5. all the above
Significant therapeutic use for dopamine:
1. management of sleep cycles
2. treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon
3. treatment of cardiogenic/hypovolemic shock
4. management of tachyarrhythmias
Has limited action at alpha-adrenergic receptors
1. phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine)
2. methoxamine (Vasoxyl)
3. norepinephrine (Levophed)
4. isoproterenol (Isuprel)
5. prazosin (Minipress)
Effect of IV isoproterenol (Isuprel) infusions on blood pressure:
1. significant vasopressor effect
2. significant hypotensive effect
3. slight decrease in mean pressure with a significant decrease in diastolic pressure
4. significant increase in systolic pressure with minimal effect on diastolic pressure
Adverse effects associated with isoproterenol (Isuprel) administration:
1. palpitations
2. tachycardia
3. arrhythmias
4. A & C
5. A,B & C