ABFM HYPERTENSION ACTUAL TEST
PAPER QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE
●● What are the two numbers recorded for blood pressure?
Answer: Systolic pressure (heart contracts) and diastolic pressure (heart
relaxes).
●● What are common causes of hypertension?
Answer: Increased SNS stimulation, activity of the renin-angiotensin-
aldosterone system, genetic variances, age-related changes, decreased
vasodilation, plaque formation, diet, lack of exercise, stress, sodium
intake, weight, alcohol, and smoking.
●● What is the first step in the stepped care approach to treating
hypertension?
Answer: Lifestyle modifications.
●● Name a drug category used to treat hypertension.
Answer: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.
●● What is the action of angiotensin II in the body?
, Answer: It constricts blood vessels and stimulates aldosterone secretion,
causing sodium and water retention, which increases blood volume.
●● What are two drug categories that impact the renin-angiotensin-
aldosterone system?
Answer: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors and
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs).
●● What is the therapeutic action of ACE inhibitors?
Answer: They prevent ACE from converting Angiotensin I to
Angiotensin II.
●● What are common adverse effects of ACE inhibitors?
Answer: Hypotension, dizziness, reflex tachycardia, GI issues, irritating
cough, and pancytopenia (specifically with captopril).
●● What is the therapeutic action of Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers
(ARBs)?
Answer: They allow Angiotensin II to be made but prevent the body
from responding to it, thus preventing vasoconstriction and aldosterone
secretion.
●● What is a common vasodilator used in severe hypertension crises?
Answer: Hydralazine or nitroprusside.
PAPER QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE
●● What are the two numbers recorded for blood pressure?
Answer: Systolic pressure (heart contracts) and diastolic pressure (heart
relaxes).
●● What are common causes of hypertension?
Answer: Increased SNS stimulation, activity of the renin-angiotensin-
aldosterone system, genetic variances, age-related changes, decreased
vasodilation, plaque formation, diet, lack of exercise, stress, sodium
intake, weight, alcohol, and smoking.
●● What is the first step in the stepped care approach to treating
hypertension?
Answer: Lifestyle modifications.
●● Name a drug category used to treat hypertension.
Answer: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.
●● What is the action of angiotensin II in the body?
, Answer: It constricts blood vessels and stimulates aldosterone secretion,
causing sodium and water retention, which increases blood volume.
●● What are two drug categories that impact the renin-angiotensin-
aldosterone system?
Answer: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors and
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs).
●● What is the therapeutic action of ACE inhibitors?
Answer: They prevent ACE from converting Angiotensin I to
Angiotensin II.
●● What are common adverse effects of ACE inhibitors?
Answer: Hypotension, dizziness, reflex tachycardia, GI issues, irritating
cough, and pancytopenia (specifically with captopril).
●● What is the therapeutic action of Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers
(ARBs)?
Answer: They allow Angiotensin II to be made but prevent the body
from responding to it, thus preventing vasoconstriction and aldosterone
secretion.
●● What is a common vasodilator used in severe hypertension crises?
Answer: Hydralazine or nitroprusside.
