Antihypertensive Drugs: Pharmacology, Mechanisms, and Clinical Applications

Question 1

Which of the following most accurately describes the mechanism of action of ACE inhibitors?

Accepted Answer

Inhibiting the enzyme that converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II

Answer

Blocking the binding of angiotensin II to its receptors

Answer

Promoting the release of nitric oxide

Answer

Blocking the influx of calcium ions into vascular smooth muscle cells

Question 2

A common adverse effect associated with diuretics is:

Accepted Answer

Hypokalemia

Answer

Hyperkalemia

Answer

Tachycardia

Answer

Bronchospasm

Question 3

An absolute contraindication for the use of beta-blockers is:

Accepted Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Asthma

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Renal failure

Question 4

The primary indication for calcium channel blockers as antihypertensives is:

Accepted Answer

Treating hypertension in patients with concomitant coronary artery disease

Answer

Managing severe hypertension

Answer

Treating hypertension in patients with concomitant diabetes

Answer

Lowering blood pressure in patients resistant to other antihypertensives

Question 5

Prior to administering an ACE inhibitor, the most important nursing assessment is:

Accepted Answer

Assessment of renal function

Answer

Blood pressure measurement

Answer

Monitoring of serum electrolytes

Answer

Cardiac auscultation

Question 6

A patient with hypertension develops a persistent dry cough while taking an ACE inhibitor.

Accepted Answer

Discontinue the ACE inhibitor and switch to a different class of antihypertensive

Answer

Monitor the patient's cough

Answer

Increase the ACE inhibitor dosage to improve blood pressure control

Answer

Switch to a different ACE inhibitor

Question 7

The desired therapeutic outcome of antihypertensive therapy is:

Accepted Answer

Blood pressure below 120/80 mmHg

Answer

Blood pressure within 5 mmHg of baseline

Answer

Blood pressure that is asymptomatic

Answer

A reduction in blood pressure of at least 20%

Question 8

Long-term diuretic use can potentially lead to:

Accepted Answer

Metabolic acidosis

Answer

Hypoglycemia

Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Hyperthyroidism

Question 9

A patient taking a calcium channel blocker for hypertension experiences lightheadedness upon standing.

Accepted Answer

Reassure the patient and have them lie down or sit until symptoms subside

Answer

Increase the calcium channel blocker dosage to improve blood pressure control

Answer

Administer caffeine to counteract the hypotensive effects

Answer

Discontinue the calcium channel blocker and consider an alternative medication

Question 10

Which of the following is the mechanism of action of centrally acting antihypertensive drugs?

Accepted Answer

Stimulation of central α2-adrenoreceptors

Answer

Blockage of peripheral α1-adrenoreceptors

Answer

Inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme

Answer

Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis

Question 11

Which class of antihypertensive drugs is usually considered first-line therapy for uncomplicated hypertension?

Accepted Answer

Thiazide diuretics

Answer

Calcium channel blockers

Answer

ACE inhibitors

Answer

Beta-blockers

Question 12

Which of the following is a potential adverse effect of beta-blockers?

Accepted Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Hyperglycemia

Answer

Edema

Answer

Hypotension

Question 13

Which class of antihypertensive drugs is commonly used in hypertensive emergencies to rapidly lower blood pressure?

Accepted Answer

Nitrates

Answer

Thiazide diuretics

Answer

Calcium channel blockers

Answer

Beta-blockers

Question 14

Which of the following drugs is an example of a direct renin inhibitor?

Accepted Answer

Aliskiren

Answer

Valsartan

Answer

Amlodipine

Answer

Hydrochlorothiazide

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a mechanism of action for antihypertensive drugs?

Accepted Answer

Increasing cardiac output

Answer

Lowering vascular resistance

Answer

Inhibiting renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system

Answer

Promoting diuresis

Question 16

Which of the following adverse effects is commonly associated with beta-blocker therapy?

Accepted Answer

Slow heart rate

Answer

Increased heart rate

Answer

High blood pressure

Answer

Low blood pressure

Question 17

Which drug inhibits the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)?

Accepted Answer

Captopril

Answer

Clonidine

Answer

Diltiazem

Answer

Furosemide

Question 18

Which diuretic has potassium-sparing effects?

Accepted Answer

Spironolactone

Answer

Furosemide

Answer

Hydrochlorothiazide

Answer

Bumetanide

Question 19

Which of the following drugs is a direct-acting vasodilator?

Accepted Answer

Hydralazine

Answer

Propranolol

Answer

Terazosin

Answer

Nifedipine

Question 20

Which of the following is the primary mechanism of action for ACE inhibitors in the treatment of hypertension?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)

Answer

Blockade of calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle

Answer

Vasodilation through activation of nitric oxide

Answer

Stimulation of beta-1 receptors in the heart

Question 21

Which antihypertensive drug class acts by blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic nerve terminal?

Accepted Answer

Beta-blockers

Answer

Alpha-blockers

Answer

Calcium channel blockers

Answer

Vasodilators

Question 22

Which of the following is a potential adverse effect associated with the use of diuretics for hypertension?

Accepted Answer

Electrolyte imbalances

Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Hypotension

Answer

Tachycardia

Question 23

Which of the following drugs is an example of a centrally acting antihypertensive drug?

Accepted Answer

Clonidine

Answer

Nifedipine

Answer

Furosemide

Answer

Propranolol

Question 24

What is the primary nursing intervention when administering an ACE inhibitor for hypertension?

Accepted Answer

Monitor for hypotension

Answer

Check for orthostatic hypotension

Answer

Assess for hyperkalemia

Answer

Monitor for tachycardia

Question 25

Which of the following antihypertensive drugs can cause reflex tachycardia as an adverse effect?

Accepted Answer

Hydralazine

Answer

Atenolol

Answer

Clonidine

Answer

Diltiazem

Question 26

Which parameter is crucial to monitor when administering antihypertensive medications?

Accepted Answer

Blood pressure

Answer

Heart rate

Answer

Oxygen saturation

Answer

Pain level

Question 27

Which of the following antihypertensive drugs has a central mechanism of action?

Accepted Answer

Methyldopa

Answer

Propranolol

Answer

Captopril

Answer

Valsartan

Question 28

Which of the following mechanisms of action is not employed by any antihypertensive drugs?

Accepted Answer

Stimulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system

Answer

Vasodilation

Answer

Inhibition of sympathetic nervous system activity

Answer

Blockade of the sodium-potassium pump

Question 29

A common rationale for combining antihypertensive drugs in treatment plans is to:

Accepted Answer

Achieve additive or synergistic effects

Answer

Reduce the number of side effects

Answer

Improve patient compliance

Answer

Prevent drug resistance

Question 30

What's the most effective way to teach patients about their antihypertensive medications?

Accepted Answer

Explaining things in a way they understand.

Answer

Giving them written instructions only.

Answer

Using complicated medical terms.

Answer

Focusing on taking the medicine without talking about side effects.

Question 31

What is the primary mechanism of action of ACE inhibitors?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme

Answer

Blockade of alpha-1 receptors

Answer

Blockade of calcium channels

Answer

Activation of beta-2 receptors

Question 32

Which antihypertensive drug class is contraindicated in pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

ACE inhibitors

Answer

Beta-blockers

Answer

Diuretics

Answer

Calcium channel blockers

Question 33

A patient taking a beta-blocker develops bradycardia. What is the most appropriate intervention?

Accepted Answer

Hold the beta-blocker and notify the prescriber

Answer

Increase the beta-blocker dose

Answer

Administer atropine

Answer

Give the patient caffeine

Question 34

What laboratory value should be monitored regularly for patients taking calcium channel blockers?

Accepted Answer

Serum potassium

Answer

Hemoglobin A1c

Answer

Creatinine clearance

Answer

White blood cell count

Question 35

What is a common side effect of alpha-1 blockers?

Accepted Answer

Hypotension

Answer

Cough

Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Hyperkalemia

Question 36

Which condition is a contraindication for the use of vasodilators?

Accepted Answer

Severe aortic stenosis

Answer

Hyperthyroidism

Answer

Renal failure

Answer

Pheochromocytoma

Question 37

What is the most likely adverse effect to occur when a patient with hypertension is prescribed a combination of an ACE inhibitor and a diuretic?

Accepted Answer

Hyperkalemia

Answer

Hypotension

Answer

Tachycardia

Answer

Bronchospasm

Question 38

Which of these is NOT a mechanism of action for antihypertensive drugs?

Accepted Answer

Increase sympathetic tone

Answer

Inhibit renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system

Answer

Decrease peripheral vascular resistance

Answer

Increase diuresis

Question 39

Which of the following is an example of an ACE inhibitor?

Accepted Answer

Lisinopril

Answer

Metoprolol

Answer

Hydrochlorothiazide

Answer

Amlodipine

Question 40

Which of the following patients would be a suitable candidate for treatment with thiazide diuretics?

Accepted Answer

Elderly patient with hypertension and edema

Answer

Patient with heart failure

Answer

Young patient with severe hypertension

Answer

Patient with renal insufficiency

Question 41

What is the primary goal of antihypertensive drug therapy?

Accepted Answer

To lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of complications

Answer

To cure hypertension permanently

Answer

To prevent the development of hypertension

Question 42

Which of the following is NOT a type of antihypertensive drug?

Accepted Answer

Anticonvulsant

Answer

Beta-blocker

Answer

Calcium channel blocker

Answer

Diuretic

Question 43

What is the mechanism of action of ACE inhibitors?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)

Answer

Reduction of sympathetic outflow

Answer

Blockade of alpha-adrenergic receptors

Answer

Diuresis

Question 44

What is the recommended first-line therapy for hypertension in most patients?

Accepted Answer

Diuretics and/or ACE inhibitors

Answer

Calcium channel blockers

Answer

Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)

Answer

Beta-blockers

Question 45

Which of the following is a contraindication to the use of diuretics?

Accepted Answer

Severe renal impairment

Answer

COPD

Answer

Diabetes mellitus

Answer

Hypertension

Question 46

Which of the following is a potential drug interaction with angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)?

Accepted Answer

Potassium-sparing diuretics

Answer

Beta-blockers

Answer

Aspirin

Answer

Calcium channel blockers

Question 47

What is the most common adverse effect of alpha-adrenergic blockers?

Accepted Answer

Orthostatic hypotension

Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Diarrhea

Answer

Vomiting

Question 48

Which of the following is NOT a therapeutic goal of antihypertensive therapy?

Accepted Answer

Normalization of heart rate

Answer

Reduction of blood pressure

Answer

Prevention of stroke

Answer

Improvement of renal function

Question 49

A patient with hypertension is prescribed hydrochlorothiazide, a thiazide diuretic. Which of the following mechanisms of action is responsible for this drug's antihypertensive effect?

Accepted Answer

Decreases sodium and water reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubule.

Answer

Inhibits the release of norepinephrine from sympathetic nerve endings.

Answer

Blocks the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II.

Question 50

A patient with hypertension and type 2 diabetes is being considered for an ACE inhibitor. What is a primary reason this class of medication may be beneficial in this patient?

Accepted Answer

ACE inhibitors can improve glycemic control by reducing insulin resistance.

Answer

ACE inhibitors are known to increase insulin sensitivity.

Answer

ACE inhibitors have no effect on blood glucose levels.

Question 51

A patient is prescribed amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker, for hypertension. What is the primary mechanism by which this drug lowers blood pressure?

Accepted Answer

Relaxes vascular smooth muscle by inhibiting calcium influx.

Answer

Inhibits the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II.

Answer

Blocks the release of norepinephrine from sympathetic nerve endings.

Question 52

A patient taking terazosin, an alpha-blocker, for hypertension reports dizziness upon standing. What is the most likely cause of this side effect?

Accepted Answer

Orthostatic hypotension

Answer

Peripheral edema

Answer

Increased heart rate

Answer

Hypoglycemia

Question 53

Which of the following antihypertensive medications is typically used in hypertensive emergencies or severe hypertension?

Accepted Answer

Nitroprusside

Answer

Hydrochlorothiazide

Answer

Amlodipine

Answer

Atenolol

Question 54

A patient is prescribed a combination of lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, and hydrochlorothiazide, a thiazide diuretic. What is the primary rationale for this combination therapy?

Accepted Answer

Synergistic effects to lower blood pressure.

Answer

Thiazide diuretics decrease the side effects of ACE inhibitors.

Answer

ACE inhibitors enhance the effectiveness of thiazide diuretics.

Question 55

Which of the following nursing interventions is most important for a patient taking an antihypertensive medication?

Accepted Answer

Monitor blood pressure regularly.

Answer

Administer medication on an empty stomach.

Answer

Avoid exposure to sunlight.

Answer

Encourage increased fluid intake.

Question 56

A patient with hypertension is taking losartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker. What is the most likely reason this medication is being prescribed?

Accepted Answer

To block the vasoconstrictive effects of angiotensin II.

Answer

To inhibit the release of renin.

Answer

To increase the production of angiotensin II.

Question 57

A patient with hypertension is taking clonidine, a centrally acting alpha-agonist. Which of the following side effects is most likely to occur?

Accepted Answer

Drowsiness

Answer

Peripheral edema

Answer

Orthostatic hypotension