AEMCA Practice Exam

Which of the following is a common alpha-adrenergic agonist?

1. Salbutamol

2. Dobutamine

3. Norepinephrine

4. Atenolol

The correct answer is: Norepinephrine

Norepinephrine is a common alpha-adrenergic agonist that plays a crucial role in the body's response to stress and is primarily involved in the modulation of vascular tone. As an agonist, it stimulates alpha-adrenergic receptors, particularly alpha-1 receptors, leading to vasoconstriction and an increase in blood pressure. This is especially important in clinical settings such as the management of severe hypotension or shock, where maintaining vascular tone can be life-saving. In contrast, salbutamol is a beta-2 adrenergic agonist, primarily used for bronchodilation in conditions like asthma. Dobutamine is primarily a beta-1 adrenergic agonist, with significant effects on increasing cardiac output rather than focusing on alpha-adrenergic activity. Atenolol is a selective beta-1 adrenergic antagonist (beta-blocker) that is used to decrease heart rate and blood pressure. By understanding the roles of these medications, it becomes clear how norepinephrine fits into the category of alpha-adrenergic agonists and why it is the correct choice in this context.