CVS Practice Test 2026 – The All-In-One Guide to Exam Success!

Stimulating beta-2 receptors in skeletal muscle vessels leads to vasodilation, which is the correct response. Beta-2 adrenergic receptors, when activated by agonists or endogenous catecholamines, cause relaxation of vascular smooth muscle. This relaxation results in the widening of blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the skeletal muscle. This physiological response is particularly important during situations that require enhanced blood supply to the muscles, such as during physical activity.

In contrast, the other options reflect different physiological mechanisms. Vasoconstriction, for example, is typically associated with the activation of alpha-adrenergic receptors, which constrict blood vessels. Increased systemic vascular resistance usually occurs when there is widespread vasoconstriction, which would not be the result of beta-2 receptor stimulation. Increased preload refers to the volume of blood in the ventricles at the end of diastole and is primarily influenced by venous return rather than the direct effect of beta-2 stimulation in skeletal muscle vessels. Thus, recognizing the role of beta-2 receptors in promoting vasodilation is crucial for understanding vascular dynamics in response to sympathetic stimulation.