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QUESTION 10
10 points
Scenario:
A hypertensive patient has been treated with Accupril for the last four months. The patient came
in for a follow-up in the office, in which his blood pressure was taken, reading was 150/92
Physical examination revealed bilateral lower extremity edema. The doctor prescribed Lasix in
addition to continuing the Accupril.
Explain the reasoning behind the doctor prescribing the patient Lasix in addition to the
Accupril. Use specifics from the scenario in your response.

Answer 1

Specifics from the scenario

Lasix is prescribed along with Accupril to the hypertensive patient because;

• High blood pressure reading of 150/92 in spite of being on the antihypertensive Accupril for the past four months
• Bilateral lower extremity edema.

Step-by-step explanation:

Blood pressure medications which act as calcium channel blockers like Accupril will widen the constricted blood vessels to allow for more blood and fluid to flow easily.

This sometimes leads to an excess amount of fluid in the circulatory system which gets accumulated in the lower extremities. This leads to edema of the feet, especially in the ankle region.

To treat this fluid accumulation in the feet, a diuretic class drugs are prescribed as an adjuvant. Loop diuretics like Lasix (furosemide) act by lowering the blood pressure as well as reducing the fluid content by increased urine output.