Autonomic Nervous System TBL
Readiness Assurance Test (iRAT/tRAT)
Formatted to E004 IF-AT Card
1.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
In which of the following tissues do α1 and β2 receptors have opposing actions?
Cardiac muscle
Connective tissue
Glandular epithelium
Smooth muscle
Striated muscle
2015 iRAT Data
14/97
0/97
5/97
78/97
0/97
2015 tRAT: 20/20 D
2016 iRAT Data
9/125
0/125
0/125
116/125
0/125
2016 tRAT: 21/21 D
Explanation: Activation of α1 causes contraction of the smooth muscle, while β 2 stimulation causes
relaxation.
2.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Which of the following is a direct effect of epinephrine on the β2 receptor?
Decreased heart rate
Decreased peripheral resistance
Increased bronchoconstriction
Increased cardiac contractility
2016 iRAT Data
3/125
109/125
3/15
10/125
2016 tRAT: 21/21 B
Explanation: The β2 adrenergic receptor is present in smooth muscle; receptor activation results in
smooth muscle relaxation. In the vascular system this results in decreased peripheral resistance and
decreased bronchoconstriction.
3.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Adrenergic amines are primarily released from sympathetic nerve terminals. Which of the
following is also a source of adrenergic amines?
Adrenal medulla
Hypothalamus
Sacral spinal cord
Sympathetic chain
Vagus nerve
2015 iRAT Data
94/97
2/97
0/97
1/97
0/97
2015 tRAT: 20/20 A
2016 iRAT Data
124/125
0/125
0/125
0/125
1/125
2016 tRAT: 21/21 A
Explanation: The adrenal medulla synthesizes both noradrenaline and adrenaline, and releases them
upon stimulation by sympathetic preganglionic neurons
4.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Which of the following drugs is most likely to cause adverse effects that includes diarrhea,
salivation, sweating, and miosis?
Atropine
Pilocarpine
Phenylephrine
Propranolol
2015 iRAT Data
Atenolol (8/97)
Atropine (10/97)
Epinephrine (1/97)
Phenylephrine (5/97)
Pilocarpine (72/97)
2015 tRAT: 19/20 B; 1/20 chose
atenolol, then B
2016 iRAT Data
Propranolol (1/125)
Atropine (6/125)
Not used in 2016
Phenylephrine (3/125)
Pilocarpine (115/125)
2016 tRAT: 21/21 B
Note: For 2016, a new IFAT card was used that only had four answer choices. As a result, Atenolol (2015)
was replaced with propranolol (2016), and epinephrine (2015) was removed.
Explanation: The symptoms are all secondary to cholinergic activation. From the drugs listed pilocarpine
is the only cholinergic agonist.
5.
During a research study a participant is first administered mecamylamine. While still receiving
mecamylamine, the participant then receives prazosin. The participant’s blood pressure and heart
rate are monitored. Which of the following changes in heart rate and blood pressure would you
expect to see in this situation?
A.
B.
iRAT 2015: 1/97
iRAT 2016: 3/125
iRAT 2015: 9/97
iRAT 2016: 7/125
C.
D.
iRAT 2015: 57/97
iRAT 2016: 83/125
iRAT 2015: 11/97
iRAT 2016: 5/125
E.
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2015 iRAT: 19/97
2016 iRAT: 27/125
2015 tRAT: 20/20 C
2016 tRAT: 21/21 C
Explanation: An alpha antagonist will reduce blood pressure. With ganglionic block the reflexive increase
in heart rate will be blocked, so no change in heart rate.