Question

which of the following would you expect to observe in a person who has taken a drug that mimics the parasympathetic nervous system?

increased blood sugar level
sweating
decreased blood pressure
increased heart rate
dilation of respiratory passages

Explanation:

The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for the "rest - and - digest" response. It generally has effects that oppose the sympathetic nervous system (which is the "fight - or - flight" response).

• Increased blood sugar level: This is a sympathetic nervous system effect (to provide energy for a potential threat).
• Sweating: Sweating is mainly a sympathetic nervous system function (thermoregulation and stress response).
• Decreased blood pressure: The parasympathetic nervous system can slow the heart rate (through the vagus nerve) and cause vasodilation in some blood vessels (although the main control of blood pressure is complex, but parasympathetic activation can contribute to a decrease in blood pressure in a resting state).
• Increased heart rate: This is a sympathetic nervous system effect.
• Dilation of respiratory passages: This is a sympathetic nervous system effect (to allow more air intake for potential physical activity).

Answer:

decreased blood pressure