Prep-U Chapter 29: Introduction to the Autonomic Nervous System

A patient exercises for 30 minutes today. The client has not been on an exercise regimen for many years. The exercise will result in what autonomic neurotransmitter to be released? Insulin, Acetylcholine, Norepinephrine, Epinephrine

Acetylcholine Explanation: Acetylcholine is released from postganglionic sympathetic neurons that innervate the sweat glands and from motor neurons of somatic nervous system that innervate the skeletal muscles. Norepinephrine is synthesized from the amino acid tyrosine by a series of enzymatic conversions that also produce dopamine and epinephrine. Epinephrine regulates blood pressure and cardiac function, but has limited effect on skeletal muscles of exercise. The release of insulin regulates blood sugar and is not a neurotransmitter, but a hormone.

Which receptor is found in the beta cells of the pancreas? Alpha-2, Beta-1, Alpha-1, Beta-2

Alpha-2 Explanation: Alpha-2 receptors are found in the beta cells of the pancreas. Alpha-1 receptors are found in blood vessels, the iris, and urinary bladder. Beta-1 receptors are found in cardiac tissue. Beta-2 receptors are found in the smooth muscle of the blood vessels, bronchi, periphery, and uterine muscle.

The anatomy and physiology instructor is discussing adrenergic receptors with the nursing class. What adrenergic receptor would the instructor tell the students is found on nerve membranes and act as modulators of norepinephrine release? Alpha2, Beta2, Beta1, Alpha1

Alpha2 Explanation: B1 receptors are found in cardiac tissue where they can stimulate increased myocardial activity and increased heart rate. Alpha1 receptors are found in blood vessels, in the iris, and in the urinary bladder. Alpha2 receptors are located on nerve membranes and act as modulators of norepinephrine release. Beta2 receptors are found in smooth muscle in blood vessels, in the bronchi, in the periphery, and in uterine muscle.

Deactivation of norepinephrine (NE) occurs by breakdown of NE by which enzyme? Lipase, Tyramine, DOPA decrabixylase, COMT

COMT Explanation: Deactivation of NE occurs by breakdown of NE by the enzyme COMT or, most importantly, by reuptake into the presynaptic neuron, where it may be used or inactivated by another enzyme, monoamine oxidase (MOA).

Which type of cells synthesize and store norepinephrine and epinephrine? Pancreatic, Neuroeffector, Chromaffin, Basal

Chromaffin Explanation: The chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla synthesize, store, and release norepinephrine, as well as epinephrine.

Axons from the CNS neurons end in which structure? Synaptic cleft, Pons, Medulla, Ganglia

Ganglia Explanation: Axons from CNS neurons end in ganglia, or groups of nerve bodies that are packed together, located outside of the CNS.

Which is a parasympathetic response of the lacrimal glands? Relaxation, Contraction, Decreased secretions, Increased secretions

Increased secretions Explanation: A parasympathetic reaction of the lacrimal glands would be an increased amount of secretions.

Norepinephrine is the main neurotransmitter in the sympathetic nervous system. Which enzyme metabolizes norepinephrine? Adenylyl cyclase, Monoamine oxidase, Effector enzyme , Choline acetyltransferase

Monoamine oxidase Explanation: Following its release from adrenergic nerve endings, most of the norepinephrine that does not return to the nerve endings is either absorbed by the surrounding tissue or metabolized by monoamine oxidase (MAO) or catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT).

The nurse knows that beta receptors are found in which areas of the body? (Select all that apply.) Peripheral blood vessels Gastrointestinal tract Skin Myocardium Bronchial smooth muscles

Myocardium Peripheral blood vessels Bronchial smooth muscles Explanation: Beta receptors are found in the myocardium, peripheral blood vessels, and bronchial smooth muscles. The skin and gastrointestinal tract do not have beta receptors.

During ambulation after surgery, the skeletal muscle produces contraction. What receptor is located in motor nerves and skeletal muscle? Beta adrenergic, Nicotinic, Muscarinic, Acetylcholine

Nicotinic Explanation: Nicotinic receptors are located in motor and skeletal muscle. When they are activated by acetylcholine, the cell membrane depolarizes and produces muscle contraction. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter. Beta adrenergic is the receptor for the release of epinephrine and norepinephrine. Muscarinic are receptors located in most internal organs to address the effected cells with the release of acetylcholine.

A patient has received the evening meal and is recovering from surgery. What nervous system is stimulated? Parasympathetic nervous system, Vegetative system, Gastric system, Pulmonary system

Parasympathetic nervous system Explanation: Functions stimulated by the parasympathetic nervous system are often described as resting, reparative, or vegetative. They include digestion, excretion, cardiac deceleration, and near vision. The vegetative system is regulated by the parasympathetic nervous system. The gastric system is regulated by the parasympathetic nervous system. The pulmonary system is not the system for which reparation occurs.

Muscarinic receptor stimulation causes which body response? (Select all that apply.) Increased GI motility Slow pulse Pupil dilation Decreased GI motility Rapid pulse

Slow pulse Increased GI motility Explanation: Stimulation of muscarinic receptors causes pupil constriction, increased GI motility and secretions, increased urinary bladder contractions, and a slowing of the heart rate.

When working with a client who is experiencing a stress response, the nurse should anticipate what effects? Select all that apply. Tachycardia Increased bowel sounds Pupil dilation Diaphoresis Hypotension

Tachycardia Pupil dilation Diaphoresis

A famous magician is known for his outlandish feats, such as being underwater for 10 minutes while removing handcuffs. Some have postulated that he has control over his autonomic nervous system in ways that most people do not. What would be an example of an autonomic response he may have control over? The rate of his speech, The rate of his income, The rate of oxygen diffusion within his cells, The rate of his heart beat

The rate of his heart beat Explanation: The autonomic nervous system controls functions essential to the life of the organism and not consciously controlled, including heart rate, blood pressure, and gastrointestinal activity. Speech, income, and oxygen diffusion within cells are not controlled by the autonomic nervous system.

After teaching a group of students about the differences between the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system, the instructor determines that the students have understood the information when they state: The sympathetic nervous system helps the body recuperate from the stress response of the parasympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system contains nicotinic receptors that the parasympathetic nervous system does not have. The sympathetic nervous system preganglionic fibers are short, while those in the parasympathetic nervous system are long. Unlike the sympathetic nervous system, the parasympathetic nervous system ganglia are located in chains along the spinal cord.

The sympathetic nervous system preganglionic fibers are short, while those in the parasympathetic nervous system are long. Explanation: The SNS preganglionic fibers are short; the PNS preganglionic fibers are long. The SNS ganglia are located in chains along the spinal cord; those of the PNS are located close to or within the effector tissue. The SNS is the system involved in the stress response, while the PNS is the rest and digest system. The PNS contains nicotinic and muscarinic receptors.

The adrenergic receptors are categorized as alpha or beta. Which action results from stimulation of alpha2 receptors? Increased release of acetylcholine , Inhibited release of norepinephrine, Inhibited release of acetylcholine, Increased release of norepinephrine

Inhibited release of norepinephrine Explanation: Stimulation of the alpha2 receptor inhibits the release of norepinephrine.

Which would occur if a drug stimulated beta-2 receptors? Uterine contraction, Bronchoconstriction, Piloerection, Vasodilation

Vasodilation Explanation: Vasodilation, as well as bronchodilation and uterine relaxation, occur as a result of beta-2 stimulation. Piloerection results from stimulation of alpha-1 receptors.

Which is NOT a function of the body's homeostatic control systems? Control vital functions, Regulate cell functions, Integrate the functions of organ systems, Feed cells under stress

Feed cells under stress Explanation: In many areas, the parasympathetic nervous system works in opposition to the SNS. This allows the autonomic system to maintain a fine control over vital functions. This is a homeostatic control system. Homeostatic control systems do not feed cells when they are under stress.

Which is a sympathetic nervous system response? (Select all that apply.) Bronchial constriction Increased sweating Pupil constriction Bronchial dilation Pupil dilation

Bronchial dilation Increased sweating Pupil dilation Explanation: Sympathetic nervous system responses include bronchial dilation, pupil dilation, increased sweating, piloerection, and decreased activity of the GI tract.

Which is consistent with the parasympathetic nervous system? (Select all that apply.) It allows the autonomic system to maintain a fine control over internal homeostasis It is also called the thoracolumbar system. It is known as the "fight or flight" system. It is sometimes called the craniosacral system. It causes blood to be diverted away from the GI tract.

It allows the autonomic system to maintain a fine control over internal homeostasis. It is sometimes called the craniosacral system. Explanation: The parasympathetic nervous system works in in opposition to the SNS. This allows the autonomic system to maintain a fine control over internal homeostasis. The sympathetic nervous system is also known as the thoracolumbar system or "fight or flight" system. This system causes blood to be diverted away from the GI tract.