Question

The nurse is caring for a patient recently diagnosed with hypertension. The patient asks what medications may be used to treat the condition. The nurse begins by discussing the primary antihypertensive agents, which include

Select all that apply.
1. diuretics.
2. angiotensin-II receptor blockers (ARBs).
3. beta-adrenergic antagonists.
4. direct-acting vasodilators.
5. peripheral adrenergic antagonists.

Answer 1

Primary medications for treating hypertension include diuretics, ARBs, and beta blockers, which act on different pathways to lower blood pressure. These medications can be used alone or in combination to effectively control hypertension.

Step-by-step explanation:

The primary antihypertensive agents used to treat hypertension include:

1. Diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide, which decrease blood volume by promoting the excretion of sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl-) ions, leading to increased urine production.
2. Angiotensin-II receptor blockers (ARBs), like losartan (Cozaar) and valsartan (Diovan), that block the effects of angiotensin II, lowering blood pressure by preventing vasoconstriction.
3. Beta-adrenergic antagonists (beta blockers), which slow the heart rate and reduce the force of cardiac contractions, thereby decreasing blood pressure.

Other medications, such as ACE inhibitors, which prevent the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, and calcium channel blockers are also commonly used in the management of hypertension.