Autonomic Drugs Flashcards (Fill-in-the-Blank)

A set of fill-in-the-blank flashcards covering parasympathetic/sympathetic pharmacology, drug examples, receptor details, and clinical considerations.

Parasympathetic = __

Rest and Digest

Sympathetic = __

Fight or Flight

Stimulate parasympathetic activity are known as __.

cholinergic drugs (parasympathomimetics)

An example of a parasympathetic stimulant used to wake up bladder and intestines after surgery is __.

Bethanechol

Block parasympathetic activity = __.

anticholinergics

A drug that speeds up a slow heart and dilates pupils is __.

Atropine

Too much cholinergic drug results in the acronym __.

SLUDGE (Salivation, Lacrimation, Urination, Diaphoresis, GI upset, Emesis)

Adrenergic drugs (sympathomimetics) mimic __.

adrenaline/norepinephrine

A prototype adrenergic agonist used in emergencies is __.

Epinephrine

Epinephrine is used for __, __, and __.

cardiac arrest; asthma; anaphylaxis

Phenylephrine is a nasal decongestant that also raises __.

blood pressure

Dobutamine is a β1 agonist used to boost the __ in heart failure.

heart pump / cardiac output

Albuterol is a β2 agonist that opens __.

airways (bronchioles) in asthma/COPD

Dopamine is used in __ to raise HR and BP.

shock

The prototype α1 blocker used for hypertension and BPH is __.

Doxazosin

A cardioselective β1 blocker example is __.

Atenolol

A nonselective β blocker that can cause bronchoconstriction is __.

Propranolol

α2 receptors are located on and function to norepinephrine release.

nerve terminals; stop/reduce

β1 receptors are located in the and ; stimulation increases HR and triggers __ release.

heart; kidneys; renin

β2 receptors are located in the __ and in smooth muscle; stimulation causes bronchodilation.

lungs

β3 receptors are located in the and ; stimulation causes bladder relaxation and __.

bladder; fat tissue; lipolysis

Main cholinergic receptors for drugs are __ receptors.

muscarinic

Suffix '-terol' indicates a __ (drug class).

β2 agonist

Suffix '-zosin' (or '-osin') indicates an __ blocker.

α1

Suffix '-olol' indicates a __ blocker.

β blocker

Direct-acting cholinergic drugs bind directly to __ receptors.

muscarinic

Indirect-acting cholinergic drugs block the enzyme __.

AChE (acetylcholinesterase)

Pyridostigmine is a __ used for Myasthenia Gravis and nerve gas antidote.

cholinesterase inhibitor (indirect-acting cholinergic)

Atropine is a classic example of a __ blocker that blocks ACh, producing a fight-or-flight–like state.

parasympathetic (anticholinergic)

First-dose orthostatic hypotension is a common side effect of __.

α1 blockers (e.g., Doxazosin, Prazosin)

Atenolol is a cardioselective β1 blocker and Propranolol is a nonselective β blocker; real-world example of nonselective is __.

Propranolol

Nonselective beta blockers can cause bronchoconstriction in patients with __.

asthma/COPD

Adrenergic drug monitoring includes watching for tachycardia, hypertension, dysrhythmias, tremors, dizziness, and __.

headaches

Stopping adrenergic drugs should be __ to avoid rebound effects.

tapered slowly / gradual taper

α1 receptor activation causes vessels to and pupils to .

constrict; dilate

β2 receptor activation in the lungs causes __; in the uterus it causes __.

bronchodilation; relaxation (stop contractions)

Terbutaline is a β2 agonist used to __.

stop preterm contractions

Mirabegron is a β3 agonist used for __.

overactive bladder

The nursing process for adrenergic drugs includes checking allergies, medications, OTCs, and __.

herbal products