Which of the following is an Antihypertensive drug?

Appeared in: Uttarakhand CHO - 2021

Explanation

Amlodipine is an antihypertensive medication used to treat high blood pressure.
It belongs to the drug class known as calcium channel blockers (CCBs).
Its mechanism of action involves relaxing and widening blood vessels (vasodilation), which reduces peripheral resistance and lowers blood pressure.
Due to its effectiveness and safety profile, it is considered a first-line agent for managing hypertension.

Option A: Atropine is an anticholinergic agent. Its primary effect is to increase the heart rate.
Option C: Eptoin is the brand name for Phenytoin, which is an anticonvulsant (or antiepileptic) drug.
Option D: Dynapar is a brand name for Diclofenac, a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID).

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Pharmacology: Classification of Antihypertensive Drugs helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
A nurse's primary responsibility before administering any antihypertensive like Amlodipine is to check the patient's blood pressure and heart rate. Hold the medication and notify the provider if the systolic BP is below 90-100 mmHg or if the patient is symptomatic of hypotension (e.g., dizziness, lightheadedness).
Patient education is crucial. Advise patients to monitor for common side effects like ankle swelling (edema), flushing, headache, and dizziness. Instruct them to change positions slowly to prevent postural hypotension.
Reinforce the importance of medication adherence. Patients should continue taking their medication even if they feel well, as hypertension is often asymptomatic.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question from pharmacology.
First, read the question carefully to identify the drug class being asked for: "Antihypertensive drug".
Next, review each option and try to recall its drug class and primary use.
Option A, Atropine: Recall it's for bradycardia (increases heart rate). This is incorrect.
Option B, Amlodipine: Recall it's a calcium channel blocker used for high blood pressure. This is a likely correct answer.
Option C, Eptoin (Phenytoin): Recall it's an antiepileptic for seizures. This is incorrect.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QgJZJ0806sFXo_OqQMNavG

E6 Pharmacology Nursing Lilley 11e Part 2 p. 41-43

E6 Medicine Davidson Principles Practice 24e p. 533-535

E6 Pharmacology KD Tripathi OneStop 9e p. 111-113

Practise the full Uttarakhand CHO - 2021

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.