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NR293: Antihypertensive Drugs (Chapter 22)
Questions and Answers Latest Update
What are the categories of drugs used to treat hypertension? Ans: Diuretics
Adrenergic drugs (5 subtypes)
Vasodilators
Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)
Calcium channel blockers (CCBs)
Direct renin inhibitors
What are the functions of diuretics? Ans: Decrease plasma and extracellular
fluid volumes.
Decrease preload; decrease workload of the heart; decrease blood pressure.
What are the functions of alpha 2 receptor agonists? Ans: Examples:
Clonidine (Catapres); methyldopa (Aldomet)
Stimulates adrenergic receptors in the brain.
Results in decreased blood pressure.
What are the indications for alpha 2 receptor agonists? Ans: Hypertension
© 2025 All rights reserved
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Symptoms of opioid withdrawal
What are the adverse effects of alpha 2 receptor agonists? Ans: Orthostatic
hypotension
Fatigue
Dizziness
Dry mouth
Do not stop abruptly; may cause rebound hypertension.
What are the functions of alpha 1 receptor antagonists? Ans: "-azosin"
Examples: Doxazosin (Cardura), terazosin (Hytrin), prazosin (Minipress)
Block alpha 1 adrenergic receptors in blood vessels.
Prevents vasoconstriction
What are the indications for alpha 1 receptor antagonists? Ans: Severe heart
failure
Symptoms of BPH; increased urinary flow rate (tamsulosin (Flomax))
What are the adverse effects of alpha 1 receptor antagonists? Ans: Serious:
Hypotension, first dose syncope
Give at bedtime, especially first dose!
Dizziness
Headache
What are the functions of beta blockers? Ans: "-olol"
© 2025 All rights reserved
NR293: Antihypertensive Drugs (Chapter 22)
Questions and Answers Latest Update
What are the categories of drugs used to treat hypertension? Ans: Diuretics
Adrenergic drugs (5 subtypes)
Vasodilators
Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)
Calcium channel blockers (CCBs)
Direct renin inhibitors
What are the functions of diuretics? Ans: Decrease plasma and extracellular
fluid volumes.
Decrease preload; decrease workload of the heart; decrease blood pressure.
What are the functions of alpha 2 receptor agonists? Ans: Examples:
Clonidine (Catapres); methyldopa (Aldomet)
Stimulates adrenergic receptors in the brain.
Results in decreased blood pressure.
What are the indications for alpha 2 receptor agonists? Ans: Hypertension
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
Symptoms of opioid withdrawal
What are the adverse effects of alpha 2 receptor agonists? Ans: Orthostatic
hypotension
Fatigue
Dizziness
Dry mouth
Do not stop abruptly; may cause rebound hypertension.
What are the functions of alpha 1 receptor antagonists? Ans: "-azosin"
Examples: Doxazosin (Cardura), terazosin (Hytrin), prazosin (Minipress)
Block alpha 1 adrenergic receptors in blood vessels.
Prevents vasoconstriction
What are the indications for alpha 1 receptor antagonists? Ans: Severe heart
failure
Symptoms of BPH; increased urinary flow rate (tamsulosin (Flomax))
What are the adverse effects of alpha 1 receptor antagonists? Ans: Serious:
Hypotension, first dose syncope
Give at bedtime, especially first dose!
Dizziness
Headache
What are the functions of beta blockers? Ans: "-olol"
© 2025 All rights reserved
