Question

As a practitioner, you would expect which parts of the physical examination to be affected by a dose of atropine or other parasympatholytic agent.

A. Gastrointestinal examination
B. Neurologic examination
C. Cardiac examination
D. All of the above

Answer 1

All parts of the physical examination - gastrointestinal, neurologic, and cardiac - would be affected by a dose of atropine or other parasympatholytic agents, due to their broad inhibitory effects on the parasympathetic nervous system. correct answer is D) All of the above .

Step-by-step explanation:

D. All of the above

would be affected by a dose of atropine or other parasympatholytic agents.

Atropine is a medication used to treat certain types of nerve agent and pesticide poisonings as well as some types of slow heart rate and to decrease saliva production during surgery. It is an anticholinergic agent, meaning it blocks the action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine on muscarinic receptors in the parasympathetic nervous system. Application results in varied effects including increased heart rate (tachycardia), inhibited secretion of saliva, sweat, and digestive juices, relaxation of smooth muscles like those found in the gastrointestinal tract, and dilation of the pupils (mydriasis). During a physical examination, the practitioner may observe changes like dry mouth, difficulty focusing on close objects (blurred vision), constipation due to decreased gastrointestinal motility, urinary retention, and an increased heart rate. Neurological examinations may reveal altered mental status, such as confusion, due to central nervous system effects of the drug. The dose of the drug and individual patient sensitivity can drastically alter these clinical findings.