Clinical applications in autonomic disorders — MCQs

Which receptor type mediates the slow phase of synaptic transmission in autonomic ganglia?

A 24-year-old G1P0 presents to her obstetrician at 26 weeks’ gestation complaining of worsening headaches and blurry vision. Her past medical history is notable for hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Her temperature is 98.6°F (37°C), blood pressure is 160/95 mmHg, pulse is 100/min, and respirations are 18/min. On physical exam, she is tender to palpation in her abdomen and has mild edema in her extremities. A urine dipstick demonstrates 3+ protein. The patient is immediately started on IV magnesium sulfate, diazepam, and a medication that affects both a- and ß-adrenergic receptors. Which of the following medications is most consistent with this mechanism of action?

A 43-year-old man is brought to the emergency department 45 minutes after his wife found him on the floor sweating profusely. On arrival, he is lethargic and unable to provide a history. He vomited multiple times on the way to the hospital. His temperature is 37.3°C (99.1°F), pulse is 55/min, respirations are 22/min, and blood pressure is 98/65 mm Hg. Pulse oximetry on room air shows an oxygen saturation of 80%. Examination shows profuse diaphoresis and excessive salivation. He withdraws his extremities sluggishly to pain. The pupils are constricted and reactive. Scattered expiratory wheezing and rhonchi are heard throughout both lung fields. Cardiac examination shows no abnormalities. There are fine fasciculations in the lower extremities bilaterally. Muscle strength is reduced and deep tendon reflexes are 1+ bilaterally. His clothes are soaked with urine and feces. Which of the following is the mechanism of action of the most appropriate initial pharmacotherapy?

An investigator is studying a local anesthetic that causes increased sympathetic activity. When given intravenously, it causes euphoria and pupillary dilation. Which of the following is the most likely effect of this drug at the synaptic cleft?

A 30-year-old woman is undergoing work up for progressive weakness. She reports that at the end of the work day, her "eyelids droop" and her "eyes cross," but in the morning she feels "ok." She reports that her legs feel heavy when she climbs the stairs of her house to go to sleep at night. As part of her work up, the physician has her hold her gaze toward the ceiling, and after a minute, her lids become ptotic. She is given an IV medication and her symptoms resolve, but return 10 minutes later. Which of the following medications was used in the diagnostic test performed for this patient?

A 33-year-old man comes to the emergency department because of a dry mouth and blurred vision for the past 30 minutes. Prior to this, he was on a road trip and started to feel nauseous, dizzy, and fatigued, so his friend gave him a drug that had helped in the past. Physical examination shows dry mucous membranes and dilated pupils. The remainder of the examination shows no abnormalities. Administration of which of the following drugs is most likely to cause a similar adverse reaction in this patient?

You have been asked to deliver a lecture to medical students about the effects of various body hormones and neurotransmitters on the metabolism of glucose. Which of the following statements best describes the effects of sympathetic stimulation on glucose metabolism?

A 19-year-old woman is brought to the emergency room by her mother. She found her daughter pale, cold to the touch, and collapsed next to her bed earlier this morning. The patient has no previous medical or psychiatric history, but the mother does report that her daughter has not had her periods for the last 3 months. In the emergency department, the patient is alert and oriented. Her vitals include: blood pressure 80/60 mm Hg supine, heart rate 55/min. On physical examination, the patient appears pale and emaciated. A urine pregnancy test is negative. She is suspected of having an eating disorder. Which of the following treatment options would be contraindicated in this patient?

A 57-year-old man is brought to the emergency department by his son for odd behavior. The patient and his son had planned to go on a hike today. On the drive up to the mountain, the patient began acting strangely which prompted the patient's son to bring him in. The patient has a past medical history of constipation, seasonal allergies, alcohol abuse, and IV drug abuse. His current medications include diphenhydramine, metoprolol, and disulfiram. The patient's son states he has been with the patient all morning and has only seen him take his over the counter medications and eat breakfast. His temperature is 102.0°F (38.9°C), blood pressure is 147/102 mmHg, pulse is 110/min, and oxygen saturation is 98% on room air. The patient appears uncomfortable. Physical exam is notable for tachycardia. The patient's skin appears dry, red, and flushed, and he is confused and not responding to questions appropriately. Which of the following is the best treatment for this patient's condition?

A 3-year-old girl swallowed a handful of pills after her grandmother dropped the bottle on the ground this afternoon. She presents to the ER in a very drowsy but agitated state. She is clutching her abdomen, as if in pain, her skin is dry and flushed, and she does not know her name or where she is. Her pupils are dilated. Her grandmother reports that she has not urinated in several hours. The grandmother's medical history is significant for allergic rhinitis and osteoarthritis, both of which are treated with over the counter medications. What is the appropriate treatment for this child?