Which of the following is NOT a sign of anticholinergic toxicity?

Anticholinergic toxicity is characterized by a range of symptoms that result from the inhibition of acetylcholine in the parasympathetic nervous system. Common signs of this condition include mydriasis (dilated pupils), flushed skin, and increased body temperature due to decreased sweating and disrupted thermoregulation.

Mydriasis occurs as a direct effect of anticholinergic agents blocking the action of acetylcholine on the iris sphincter muscle, leading to pupil dilation. Flushed skin results from peripheral vasodilation, another outcome of disrupted cholinergic function, while increased body temperature is a consequence of reduced sweating and the overheating that can occur in this state.

In the context of gastrointestinal symptoms, diarrhea is typically associated with an increase in acetylcholine activity, particularly in the enteric nervous system, which governs the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, diarrhea does not align with the symptoms of anticholinergic toxicity. Instead, one would expect to see symptoms like constipation, as anticholinergic agents slow down gastrointestinal motility.

Therefore, identifying diarrhea as a non-sign of anticholinergic toxicity highlights a key understanding of how these medications influence the autonomic nervous system and reflects a more comprehensive knowledge of the drug's effects on