A client is treated in the emergency department for an overdose of cocaine. The nurse monitors the client based on the knowledge that cocaine affects which item?

Question

1. Cholinergic synapses
2. Adrenergic synapses
3. Dopamine receptors
4. Glutamate

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: Cholinergic synapses utilize acetylcholine, and play a role in Parkinson and Alzheimer diseases.
Rationale 2: Adrenergic synapses utilize norepinephrine to heighten alertness. Adrenergic neurons likely play a role in mood disorders.
Rationale 3: Cocaine and amphetamines produce their stimulatory actions by affecting dopamine receptors.
Rationale 4: Glutamate is always excitatory and can be neurotoxic at high levels.
Global Rationale: Cocaine and amphetamines produce their stimulatory actions by affecting dopamine receptors. Cholinergic synapses utilize acetylcholine, and play a role in Parkinson and Alzheimer diseases. Adrenergic synapses utilize norepinephrine to heighten alertness. Adrenergic neurons likely play a role in mood disorders. Glutamate is always excitatory and can be neurotoxic at high levels.