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APEA Pharmacology for Cardiovascular Final
Exam 2025 |Questions And Detailed Answers
with Rationales |Already Graded A+
Question.
The side effect profile of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) is similar to the side effects
of:
a. angiotensin-converting enzymes (ACE) inhibitors.
b. beta-blockers.
c. calcium channel blockers.
d. pressors. - CORRECT ✓✓ angiotensin-converting enzymes (ACE) inhibitors.
Question.
Isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil) is indicated for the treatment of:
a. acute angina.
b. chronic angina.
c. myocardial infarction.
d. esophageal spasm. - CORRECT ✓✓ chronic angina.
Isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil) titradose tablets are indicated for the prevention of angina
pectoris due to coronary artery disease. The onset of action of immediate-release oral
isosorbide dinitrate is not sufficiently rapid for this product to be useful in aborting an acute
anginal episode. Therefore, it is not indicated in the treatment of acute angina and myocardial
infarction. The treatment of esophageal spasms disorders is an off-label use.
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Question.
Non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (i.e. verapamil) may be safely used in patients
with:
a. heart failure.
b. bradycardia.
c. second-degree AV block.
d. chronic stable angina. - CORRECT ✓✓ chronic stable angina.
Non-dihydropyridine CCBs (non-DHP CCB; i.e. verapamil [Calan] and diltiazem
[Cardizem]) have negative chronotropic and inotropic effects. Therefore, they slow down
heart rate and decrease force of ventricular contractions. Non-DHP CCBs are contraindicated
in patients with heart failure who have reduced ejection fraction, sick sinus syndrome, and
second- or third-degree atrioventricular block. Since non-DHP CCBs increase myocardial
blood flow by dilating coronary arteries, they are beneficial in patients with chronic stable
angina.
Question.
Patients who are started on olmesartan (Benicar) should be advised to report:
a. bladder spasms and dysuria.
b. constipation and weakness.
c. diarrhea and weight loss.
d. metallic taste and easy bruising. - CORRECT ✓✓ diarrhea and weight loss.
Patients should be advised to report persistent chronic diarrhea and weight loss while taking
olmesartan medoxomil (Benicar). This drug can produce a sprue-like enteropathy
characterized by severe chronic diarrhea and weight loss occurring months to years after
initiation of the drug. Benicar is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB). Once other
etiologies have been excluded, discontinue Benicar and consider an alternative hypertension
treatment.
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Question.
The medication that produces vasodilation and thus lowers blood pressure by inhibiting the
formation of angiotensin II is:
a. amlodipine (Norvasc).
b. losartan (Cozaar).
c. enalapril (Vasotec).
d. metoprolol (Lopressor). - CORRECT ✓✓ enalapril (Vasotec).
Amlodipine (Norvasc) is a calcium channel blocker, losartan (Cozaar) is an angiotensin II
receptor blocker, and metoprolol (Lopressor) is a beta-blocker.
Question.
Dabigatran (Pradaxa), an anticoagulant, is also classified as a:
a. direct factor Xa inhibitor.
b. direct thrombin inhibitor.
c. indirect thrombin inhibitor.
d. factor V inhibitor. - CORRECT ✓✓ direct thrombin inhibitor.
Dabigatran (Pradaxa) is a direct thrombin inhibitor (DTI). Medications in this class inactivate
circulating and clotting thrombin (factor IIa). They prevent thrombin (central to the
generation of a thrombus) from attaching fibrinogen to fibrin.
Key advantages of using DTIs instead of heparin is that they: produce a more predictable
anticoagulant effect due to their lack of binding to other plasma proteins; exert an antiplatelet
effect; and do not cause immune-mediated thrombocytopenia.
Question.
Loop diuretics such as bumetanide (Bumex):
APEA Pharmacology for Cardiovascular Final
Exam 2025 |Questions And Detailed Answers
with Rationales |Already Graded A+
Question.
The side effect profile of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) is similar to the side effects
of:
a. angiotensin-converting enzymes (ACE) inhibitors.
b. beta-blockers.
c. calcium channel blockers.
d. pressors. - CORRECT ✓✓ angiotensin-converting enzymes (ACE) inhibitors.
Question.
Isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil) is indicated for the treatment of:
a. acute angina.
b. chronic angina.
c. myocardial infarction.
d. esophageal spasm. - CORRECT ✓✓ chronic angina.
Isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil) titradose tablets are indicated for the prevention of angina
pectoris due to coronary artery disease. The onset of action of immediate-release oral
isosorbide dinitrate is not sufficiently rapid for this product to be useful in aborting an acute
anginal episode. Therefore, it is not indicated in the treatment of acute angina and myocardial
infarction. The treatment of esophageal spasms disorders is an off-label use.
, Page |2
Question.
Non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (i.e. verapamil) may be safely used in patients
with:
a. heart failure.
b. bradycardia.
c. second-degree AV block.
d. chronic stable angina. - CORRECT ✓✓ chronic stable angina.
Non-dihydropyridine CCBs (non-DHP CCB; i.e. verapamil [Calan] and diltiazem
[Cardizem]) have negative chronotropic and inotropic effects. Therefore, they slow down
heart rate and decrease force of ventricular contractions. Non-DHP CCBs are contraindicated
in patients with heart failure who have reduced ejection fraction, sick sinus syndrome, and
second- or third-degree atrioventricular block. Since non-DHP CCBs increase myocardial
blood flow by dilating coronary arteries, they are beneficial in patients with chronic stable
angina.
Question.
Patients who are started on olmesartan (Benicar) should be advised to report:
a. bladder spasms and dysuria.
b. constipation and weakness.
c. diarrhea and weight loss.
d. metallic taste and easy bruising. - CORRECT ✓✓ diarrhea and weight loss.
Patients should be advised to report persistent chronic diarrhea and weight loss while taking
olmesartan medoxomil (Benicar). This drug can produce a sprue-like enteropathy
characterized by severe chronic diarrhea and weight loss occurring months to years after
initiation of the drug. Benicar is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB). Once other
etiologies have been excluded, discontinue Benicar and consider an alternative hypertension
treatment.
, Page |3
Question.
The medication that produces vasodilation and thus lowers blood pressure by inhibiting the
formation of angiotensin II is:
a. amlodipine (Norvasc).
b. losartan (Cozaar).
c. enalapril (Vasotec).
d. metoprolol (Lopressor). - CORRECT ✓✓ enalapril (Vasotec).
Amlodipine (Norvasc) is a calcium channel blocker, losartan (Cozaar) is an angiotensin II
receptor blocker, and metoprolol (Lopressor) is a beta-blocker.
Question.
Dabigatran (Pradaxa), an anticoagulant, is also classified as a:
a. direct factor Xa inhibitor.
b. direct thrombin inhibitor.
c. indirect thrombin inhibitor.
d. factor V inhibitor. - CORRECT ✓✓ direct thrombin inhibitor.
Dabigatran (Pradaxa) is a direct thrombin inhibitor (DTI). Medications in this class inactivate
circulating and clotting thrombin (factor IIa). They prevent thrombin (central to the
generation of a thrombus) from attaching fibrinogen to fibrin.
Key advantages of using DTIs instead of heparin is that they: produce a more predictable
anticoagulant effect due to their lack of binding to other plasma proteins; exert an antiplatelet
effect; and do not cause immune-mediated thrombocytopenia.
Question.
Loop diuretics such as bumetanide (Bumex):
