Question

The nurse is caring for an African American male who has just been diagnosed with hypertension. The nurse anticipates that this patient will be started on which medications?

Select all that apply.
1. A thiazide diuretic
2. A calcium channel blocker
3. An ACE inhibitor
4. A beta-adrenergic antagonist
5. An angiotensin-II receptor blocker

Answer 1

For an African American male with hypertension, healthcare providers typically start treatment with thiazide diuretics and calcium channel blockers, which are effective first-line medications. Although ACE inhibitors and ARBs are also used to treat hypertension, they may not be the preferred initial treatment in this demographic.

Step-by-step explanation:

When addressing hypertension in an African American male patient, healthcare providers often anticipate the use of certain antihypertensive medications. The first-line medications for treating hypertension typically include:

• Thiazide diuretics
• Calcium channel blockers
• ACE inhibitors
• Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
• Beta-adrenergic antagonists (also known as beta blockers)

Thiazide diuretics, such as Hydrochlorothiazide, can decrease the reabsorption of sodium and chloride in the kidneys, enhancing the excretion of water and lowering blood pressure. Calcium channel blockers, like Amlodipine, help by dilating the blood vessels, which also reduces blood pressure. Although ACE inhibitors and ARBs are commonly used, they may not be the initial drugs of choice for African American patients due to less efficacy in comparison to thiazide diuretics and calcium channel blockers in this population. Beta blockers, while sometimes used in the treatment of hypertension, are not always a first-line choice and, when overprescribed, can lead to bradycardia or heart stoppage.