,BIOD 351 Module 3 | Pharmacology | Portage Learning
| Questions & Verified Answers | 2026 Edition
1. Which antihypertensive drug class acts by decreasing plasma and extracellular fluid volumes, thereby
decreasing preload and leading to a reduction in cardiac output and total peripheral resistance?
A) ACE inhibitors
B) Beta-blockers
C) Thiazide diuretics
D) Calcium channel blockers
Correct Answer: Thiazide diuretics
Rationale: Thiazide diuretics lower blood pressure by decreasing plasma and extracellular fluid volumes,
which reduces preload and cardiac output. They also decrease total peripheral resistance over time. ACE
inhibitors, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers work through different mechanisms to reduce
blood pressure.
2. A patient taking thiazide diuretics would most likely experience which adverse effects?
A) Hyperkalemia and hypertension
B) Low potassium leading to dehydration, muscle weakness, and fatigue
C) Bradycardia and heart block
D) Hyperglycemia and weight gain
Correct Answer: Low potassium leading to dehydration, muscle weakness, and fatigue
Rationale: Thiazide diuretics cause potassium wasting, leading to hypokalemia, which can result in
dehydration, muscle weakness, and fatigue. These adverse effects require monitoring of serum
electrolytes and potassium supplementation when indicated.
3. ACE inhibitors lower blood pressure through which primary mechanism?
A) Blocking calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle
,B) Preventing the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II
C) Blocking beta-1 receptors in the heart
D) Increasing the excretion of sodium and water
Correct Answer: Preventing the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II
Rationale: ACE inhibitors prevent angiotensin I from being converted to angiotensin II. Since angiotensin
II is a potent vasoconstrictor that also stimulates reabsorption of water and sodium, blocking its
production reduces blood pressure. This mechanism distinguishes ACE inhibitors from other
antihypertensives.
4. ARBs (Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers) reduce blood pressure by:
A) Inhibiting the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II
B) Blocking the binding of angiotensin II to type 1 angiotensin II receptors
C) Decreasing plasma volume through diuresis
D) Blocking calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle
Correct Answer: Blocking the binding of angiotensin II to type 1 angiotensin II receptors
Rationale: ARBs block the binding of angiotensin II to type 1 angiotensin II receptors. This prevents
vasoconstriction and the secretion of aldosterone, which causes sodium and water reabsorption. By
blocking this receptor, blood pressure is effectively reduced.
5. Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) lower blood pressure by:
A) Preventing the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II
B) Blocking calcium from binding to receptors, causing smooth muscle relaxation
C) Decreasing plasma volume through diuresis
D) Blocking beta-1 receptors in the heart
Correct Answer: Blocking calcium from binding to receptors, causing smooth muscle relaxation
, Rationale: CCBs block calcium from binding to receptors in vascular smooth muscle, which causes the
muscle to relax and prevents contraction. This vasodilation reduces peripheral resistance and lowers
blood pressure. This mechanism is distinct from other antihypertensive classes.
6. Which antihypertensive drug class is considered one of the preferred therapies for the treatment of
hypertension?
A) Thiazide diuretics
B) Beta-blockers
C) ACE inhibitors
D) Alpha-blockers
Correct Answer: ACE inhibitors
Rationale: ACE inhibitors are considered one of the preferred therapies for the treatment of
hypertension. They are particularly beneficial in patients with diabetes, heart failure, and chronic kidney
disease due to their renal protective effects.
7. The mechanism of action of nitrates in treating angina involves:
A) Blocking beta-1 receptors to decrease heart rate
B) Relaxing vascular smooth muscle through conversion to nitric oxide
C) Blocking calcium channels to prevent vasospasm
D) Inhibiting platelet aggregation
Correct Answer: Relaxing vascular smooth muscle through conversion to nitric oxide
Rationale: Nitrates work by relaxing vascular smooth muscle when nitrate ions are converted to nitric
oxide, a potent vasodilator. Vasodilation leads to a decrease in blood volume returned to the heart
(preload), which reduces the workload of the heart and relieves angina.
8. Preload is best defined as:
| Questions & Verified Answers | 2026 Edition
1. Which antihypertensive drug class acts by decreasing plasma and extracellular fluid volumes, thereby
decreasing preload and leading to a reduction in cardiac output and total peripheral resistance?
A) ACE inhibitors
B) Beta-blockers
C) Thiazide diuretics
D) Calcium channel blockers
Correct Answer: Thiazide diuretics
Rationale: Thiazide diuretics lower blood pressure by decreasing plasma and extracellular fluid volumes,
which reduces preload and cardiac output. They also decrease total peripheral resistance over time. ACE
inhibitors, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers work through different mechanisms to reduce
blood pressure.
2. A patient taking thiazide diuretics would most likely experience which adverse effects?
A) Hyperkalemia and hypertension
B) Low potassium leading to dehydration, muscle weakness, and fatigue
C) Bradycardia and heart block
D) Hyperglycemia and weight gain
Correct Answer: Low potassium leading to dehydration, muscle weakness, and fatigue
Rationale: Thiazide diuretics cause potassium wasting, leading to hypokalemia, which can result in
dehydration, muscle weakness, and fatigue. These adverse effects require monitoring of serum
electrolytes and potassium supplementation when indicated.
3. ACE inhibitors lower blood pressure through which primary mechanism?
A) Blocking calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle
,B) Preventing the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II
C) Blocking beta-1 receptors in the heart
D) Increasing the excretion of sodium and water
Correct Answer: Preventing the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II
Rationale: ACE inhibitors prevent angiotensin I from being converted to angiotensin II. Since angiotensin
II is a potent vasoconstrictor that also stimulates reabsorption of water and sodium, blocking its
production reduces blood pressure. This mechanism distinguishes ACE inhibitors from other
antihypertensives.
4. ARBs (Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers) reduce blood pressure by:
A) Inhibiting the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II
B) Blocking the binding of angiotensin II to type 1 angiotensin II receptors
C) Decreasing plasma volume through diuresis
D) Blocking calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle
Correct Answer: Blocking the binding of angiotensin II to type 1 angiotensin II receptors
Rationale: ARBs block the binding of angiotensin II to type 1 angiotensin II receptors. This prevents
vasoconstriction and the secretion of aldosterone, which causes sodium and water reabsorption. By
blocking this receptor, blood pressure is effectively reduced.
5. Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) lower blood pressure by:
A) Preventing the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II
B) Blocking calcium from binding to receptors, causing smooth muscle relaxation
C) Decreasing plasma volume through diuresis
D) Blocking beta-1 receptors in the heart
Correct Answer: Blocking calcium from binding to receptors, causing smooth muscle relaxation
, Rationale: CCBs block calcium from binding to receptors in vascular smooth muscle, which causes the
muscle to relax and prevents contraction. This vasodilation reduces peripheral resistance and lowers
blood pressure. This mechanism is distinct from other antihypertensive classes.
6. Which antihypertensive drug class is considered one of the preferred therapies for the treatment of
hypertension?
A) Thiazide diuretics
B) Beta-blockers
C) ACE inhibitors
D) Alpha-blockers
Correct Answer: ACE inhibitors
Rationale: ACE inhibitors are considered one of the preferred therapies for the treatment of
hypertension. They are particularly beneficial in patients with diabetes, heart failure, and chronic kidney
disease due to their renal protective effects.
7. The mechanism of action of nitrates in treating angina involves:
A) Blocking beta-1 receptors to decrease heart rate
B) Relaxing vascular smooth muscle through conversion to nitric oxide
C) Blocking calcium channels to prevent vasospasm
D) Inhibiting platelet aggregation
Correct Answer: Relaxing vascular smooth muscle through conversion to nitric oxide
Rationale: Nitrates work by relaxing vascular smooth muscle when nitrate ions are converted to nitric
oxide, a potent vasodilator. Vasodilation leads to a decrease in blood volume returned to the heart
(preload), which reduces the workload of the heart and relieves angina.
8. Preload is best defined as:
