1. A patient with hypertension is prescribed a beta-blocker

drug that reduces the heart rate and blood pressure. The

nurse understands that this drug acts by:

a) inhibiting the action of angiotensin II on the blood

vessels

b) blocking the binding of epinephrine and norepinephrine

to beta receptors

c) increasing the production of nitric oxide in the

endothelium

d) decreasing the activity of the sympathetic nervous

system

*Answer: b) blocking the binding of epinephrine and

norepinephrine to beta receptors*

Rationale: Beta-blockers are drugs that bind to beta

receptors and prevent the activation of these receptors by

epinephrine and norepinephrine, which are hormones that

increase the heart rate and blood pressure. By blocking

these receptors, beta-blockers reduce the cardiac output and

peripheral resistance, thus lowering the blood pressure.

2. A patient with diabetes mellitus is prescribed an oral

hypoglycemic agent that stimulates the release of insulin

from the pancreas. The nurse knows that this drug belongs

to which class of drugs?

a) sulfonylureas

b) biguanides

c) alpha-glucosidase inhibitors

d) thiazolidinediones

*Answer: a) sulfonylureas*