Cardiovascular: aliskiren: practice question

A Pharmacology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pharmacology · Cardiovascular: aliskiren

Sample item

Aliskiren lowers blood pressure by which mechanism?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Direct inhibition of renin

Aliskiren binds the active site of renin and prevents conversion of angiotensinogen to angiotensin I. Like other RAS blockers it causes hyperkalaemia and is fetotoxic, and combination with ACE inhibitors or ARBs in diabetes is discouraged.

Option by option

  • A. Blockade of AT1 receptors

    AT1 blockade is the action of ARBs.

  • B. Antagonism of aldosterone receptors

    Aldosterone antagonism is the action of spironolactone and eplerenone.

  • C. Inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme

    ACE inhibition is the action of drugs such as enalapril.

  • D. Direct inhibition of renin (correct)

    Correct. It is a direct renin inhibitor.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is D, Direct inhibition of renin. Aliskiren binds the active site of renin and prevents conversion of angiotensinogen to angiotensin I.

Why is "Blockade of AT1 receptors" not the answer?

AT1 blockade is the action of ARBs.

Why is "Antagonism of aldosterone receptors" not the answer?

Aldosterone antagonism is the action of spironolactone and eplerenone.

Why is "Inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme" not the answer?

ACE inhibition is the action of drugs such as enalapril.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cardiovascular: aliskiren in Pharmacology. Like other RAS blockers it causes hyperkalaemia and is fetotoxic, and combination with ACE inhibitors or ARBs in diabetes is discouraged.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Cardiovascular: aliskiren?

Learn drugs as classes, then the exception in each class that an examiner would pick. Then use the flashcards and the other Pharmacology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.