The nurse is caring for a client newly diagnosed with hypertension and requires medication therapy. Which of the following medications below is considered a first line treatment for hypertension?
carvedilol
lisinopril
clonidine
doxazosin
The Correct Answer is B
A) Carvedilol: While carvedilol is a beta-blocker that can be used to treat hypertension, it is not considered a first-line treatment. Beta-blockers are typically used when other first-line agents are not effective or in specific situations such as heart failure or ischemic heart disease.
B) Lisinopril: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor and is considered a first-line treatment for hypertension. It effectively reduces blood pressure by inhibiting the angiotensin-converting enzyme, leading to vasodilation and decreased blood volume. Its well-documented efficacy and favorable side effect profile make it a common choice for initial therapy.
C) Clonidine: Clonidine is an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist that can lower blood pressure but is generally not used as a first-line treatment due to its side effects and potential for rebound hypertension if discontinued abruptly.
D) Doxazosin: Doxazosin is an alpha-1 blocker that can be used to treat hypertension but is not typically a first-line choice. It may be used in specific cases, such as in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia, but other classes of medications are usually preferred for initial hypertension treatment.
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View Related questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Gallstones: Gemfibrozil is associated with an increased risk of gallstones. This medication can alter the metabolism of lipids and bile, potentially leading to the formation of gallstones. Clients should be monitored for symptoms such as abdominal pain or discomfort that could indicate gallbladder issues.
B) Decreased PT time: Gemfibrozil does not typically affect prothrombin time (PT). Instead, it may interact with anticoagulants and potentially increase PT time, requiring careful monitoring in patients taking both medications.
C) Hyperkalemia: While hyperkalemia can occur with certain lipid-lowering medications, it is not a common side effect associated with gemfibrozil. This drug primarily affects triglycerides and cholesterol levels without significantly impacting potassium levels.
D) Increased creatinine clearance: Gemfibrozil is not known to increase creatinine clearance; in fact, it can sometimes affect renal function. Monitoring kidney function is important, but increased creatinine clearance is not an expected outcome with this medication.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) "This medication decreases chest pain by dissolving blood clots that are occluding the arteries.": This statement is incorrect because nitroglycerin does not dissolve blood clots. Instead, it works by relaxing and dilating blood vessels, which helps improve blood flow to the heart muscle and relieve angina.
B) "Place one tablet under your tongue every 15 minutes and repeat up to 5 times for relief of chest pain.": This is not accurate; while nitroglycerin can be taken sublingually, the typical recommendation is to take one tablet every 5 minutes as needed for chest pain, not every 15 minutes, and not to exceed 3 tablets within 15 minutes.
C) "This medication is the first-line treatment for hypertension.": Although nitroglycerin can lower blood pressure, it is not typically considered a first-line treatment for hypertension. It is primarily used for angina relief rather than as a primary antihypertensive agent.
D) "This medication dilates cardiac blood vessels to deliver more oxygen to the heart.": This statement accurately describes the action of nitroglycerin. By dilating the coronary arteries, nitroglycerin increases blood flow and oxygen delivery to the heart muscle, which helps alleviate angina symptoms. This is a key point to emphasize during patient education.