Question

Your patient has been exposed to a chemical that over-stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system. You would expect this patient to exhibit:

Answer 1

Exposure to chemicals that over-stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system would result in symptoms associated with 'rest and digest' activation, such as a slowed heart rate, lowered blood pressure, and increased digestion.

Step-by-step explanation:

The parasympathetic nervous system is part of the autonomic nervous system responsible for the body's 'rest and digest' functions. An over-stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system, likely from exposure to certain chemicals, would lead to increased activity of acetylcholine (ACh) at muscarinic receptors. This results in a slowed heart rate (bradycardia), lowered blood pressure (hypotension), and increased digestive activity.

Muscarinic agonists or parasympathomimetic drugs that stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system cause these effects. Additionally, the patient may experience constricted pupils (miosis), increased glandular secretions, and relaxed airways. These reactions oppose the 'fight-or-flight' response managed by the sympathetic nervous system, which typically increases heart rate and blood pressure while inhibiting digestion.