Question 1

Amlodipine is a popular drug used to treat hypertension.What is its trade name?

Accepted Answer

Norvasc is the trade name for amlodipine.

Question 2

Which drug should be avoided when treating a patient with hypertension who has asthma?

Accepted Answer

Patients with both hypertension and asthma should avoid beta-blockers, such as metoprolol, as they can exacerbate asthma symptoms. Digoxin, enalapril, and prazosin do not have a significant impact on asthma symptoms and can be used in patients with both conditions.

Question 3

Thiazide diuretics act in the distal convoluted tubule,where they block transport of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Thiazide diuretics block the Na+ and Cl- transport in the distal convoluted tubule, leading to increased excretion of fluid and electrolytes, particularly Na+ and Cl-.

Question 4

A "lupus-like syndrome" can occur with high dosages of which drug?

Accepted Answer

Hydralazine (Apresoline) can cause a lupus-like syndrome with high dosages or prolonged use.

Question 5

Which of the following drugs should not be used to treat hypertension in pregnant females?

Accepted Answer

Losartan is contraindicated in pregnancy as it can cause injury and even death to the developing fetus. Verapamil and diltiazem are safe to use in pregnancy. Labetalol is also considered safe to use in pregnancy, especially in severe hypertension.

Question 6

Which of the following should not be used in a hypertensive patient who also suffers from gout?

Accepted Answer

Diuretics can increase uric acid levels in the blood, potentially exacerbating gout symptoms, making them a less suitable choice for hypertensive patients with gout.

Question 7

Drugs that have an "olol" on the end of their generic name are in a class known as:

Accepted Answer

Drugs that end in "olol" are beta-adrenergic blockers, which work by blocking the effects of the hormone adrenaline on the heart and blood vessels. This can help to reduce blood pressure, slow down the heart rate, and improve symptoms of heart failure. Examples of drugs in this class include metoprolol, propranolol, and atenolol.

Question 8

A hypertensive patient with migraines,ischemic heart disease,or congestive heart failure would benefit most from which of the following medications?

Accepted Answer

Beta-adrenergic blockers are beneficial for patients with hypertension, migraines, ischemic heart disease, and congestive heart failure due to their ability to reduce heart rate, decrease myocardial oxygen demand, and provide migraine prophylaxis.

Question 9

What is the mechanism of action of spironolactone (Aldactone)?

Accepted Answer

Spironolactone is a direct antagonist of aldosterone, which is a hormone that promotes reabsorption of sodium and excretion of potassium in the kidneys. By blocking aldosterone, spironolactone promotes excretion of sodium and retention of potassium, making it helpful in treating conditions such as hypertension and edema.

Question 10

Although beta-adrenergic blockers are commonly used to decrease blood pressure,what effect can they have on serum lipid patterns?

Accepted Answer

Beta-adrenergic blockers have been shown to decrease levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), which are considered to be "good" cholesterol. This effect on lipid patterns should be taken into consideration when prescribing these medications.

Question 11

African-American patients with hypertension tend to respond well to which therapeutic class of medications?

Accepted Answer

Several studies have shown that African-American patients with hypertension tend to respond well to calcium channel blockers compared to other classes of antihypertensive medications. This may be due to differences in renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activity and endothelial function among different racial groups.

Question 12

Which drug is a potassium-sparing diuretic?

Accepted Answer

Spironolactone (Aldactone) is a potassium-sparing diuretic, which means it helps the body get rid of excess fluid without causing potassium loss.

Question 13

Rebound hypertension can occur following abrupt withdrawal of:

Accepted Answer

Rebound hypertension is a common phenomenon associated with abrupt discontinuation of clonidine, a centrally acting alpha-2 adrenergic agonist that reduces blood pressure by decreasing sympathetic outflow from the CNS. Verapamil and diltiazem are calcium channel blockers that may cause reflex tachycardia or rebound angina rather than hypertension when discontinued abruptly. Losartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker that does not cause rebound hypertension upon withdrawal.

Question 14

What is the most common side effect of thiazide diuretics?

Accepted Answer

Thiazide diuretics are known to cause potassium depletion as they increase potassium excretion in the urine. This can lead to hypokalemia, which can cause muscle weakness, cramping, and even cardiac arrhythmias. It is important to monitor potassium levels in patients taking thiazide diuretics and supplement with potassium as needed. While thiazide diuretics can also lower plasma lipid levels, this is not the most common side effect. Arterial vasodilation is not a common side effect of thiazide diuretics, and constipation is not typically associated with their use.

Question 15

What is one of the most common reasons patients demonstrate treatment failure of hypertension?

Accepted Answer

Compliance failure, or the patient not taking their medication as prescribed, is one of the most common reasons for treatment failure in hypertension. This can be due to forgetting to take their medication, difficulty with the dosing schedule, or experiencing side effects that lead to the patient discontinuing their medication. Other options may also contribute to treatment failure, but compliance failure is the most prevalent.

Question 16

A patient says she is on a high blood pressure medication but does not remember the name.She complains that the drug is causing her to suffer a skin rash and a cough.Which of the following is she most likely taking?

Accepted Answer

Captopril is an ACE inhibitor commonly used to treat high blood pressure. Skin rash and cough are common side effects of ACE inhibitors. Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker, propranolol is a beta blocker, and prazosin is an alpha blocker, none of which typically cause skin rash and cough as side effects.

Question 17

One advantage of treating a patient with irbesartan (Avapro)instead of enalapril (Vasotec)is that irbesartan:

Accepted Answer

One advantage of treating a patient with irbesartan instead of enalapril is that it does not produce dry cough.

Question 18

Which drugs can be used alone or in combination with other classes to manage hypertension but can also be used to reduce the frequency and severity of chronic,stable angina?

Accepted Answer

Calcium channel blockers are effective in managing hypertension and can also be used to reduce the frequency and severity of chronic, stable angina by dilating the coronary arteries and reducing the heart's workload.

Question 19

The antihypertensive effects of alpha-adrenergic blockers,such as prazosin (Minipress),Hytrin (Terazosin),and doxazosin (Cardura),are due to:

Accepted Answer

The antihypertensive effects of alpha-adrenergic blockers are due to their ability to reduce peripheral resistance by blocking alpha-1 receptors on vascular smooth muscle. This results in vasodilation and therefore, decreased blood pressure. Alpha-adrenergic blockers do not typically have a significant effect on cardiac output.

Question 20

When giving intravenously during a hypertensive emergency,which drug has an immediate onset of action and a duration of action that lasts 2 to 3 minutes?

Accepted Answer

Nitroprusside has an immediate onset of action and a duration of action that lasts 2 to 3 minutes, making it the best choice for treating hypertensive emergencies.

Quiz 7: Drugs Used to Regulate Blood Pressure