Pharmacology and the Nursing Process by Linda Lane Lilley: Practice Exam

What type of action do most antihypertensive drugs have, except diuretics?

1. Natriuretic

2. Vasodilatory

3. Neurological

4. Anti-inflammatory

The correct answer is: Vasodilatory

Most antihypertensive drugs have vasodilatory effects which means they help widen the blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily and reducing blood pressure. These drugs relax and expand the muscles in the walls of your blood vessels, allowing them to open up and let blood flow more freely. Diuretics, on the other hand, mainly work by reducing the amount of water and salt in the body, which can help lower blood pressure, but they do not have direct vasodilatory effects. This is why diuretics are not included in the category of vasodilatory antihypertensive drugs. The other options, natriuretic, neurological, and anti-inflammatory, do not necessarily have a direct impact on blood pressure regulation and are not commonly used as antihypertensive medications. Thus, option B is the correct answer for this question.