Question

a doctor places drops in the eyes to dilate the pupils for an examination. which of the following may be true of the drug in the eye drops?
sympathomimetic, adrenergic activator
parasympathomimetic, adrenergic activator
parasympathomimetic, cholinergic activator
sympathomimetic, cholinergic activator

Explanation:

• Sympathomimetic drugs mimic the effects of the sympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system causes pupil dilation (mydriasis).
• Adrenergic activators act on adrenergic receptors (which are part of the sympathetic nervous system pathway for pupil dilation).
• Parasympathomimetic drugs would mimic the parasympathetic nervous system which causes pupil constriction (miosis), so options with parasympathomimetic can be ruled out.
• Cholinergic activators act on cholinergic receptors (associated with the parasympathetic nervous system for pupil - related effects, causing constriction), so options with cholinergic activator (when the goal is dilation) can be ruled out.

Answer:

sympathomimetic, adrenergic activator