Cardiovascular: hypertension in pregnancy: 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: hypertension in pregnancy

Sample item

A woman at 28 weeks with blood pressure 170/110 mmHg and no seizures needs urgent control. Which oral antihypertensive is appropriate?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Nifedipine

Labetalol, nifedipine and methyldopa are the preferred drugs in pregnancy. ACE inhibitors and ARBs are fetotoxic, and spironolactone has antiandrogenic effects on a male fetus.

Option by option

  • A. Losartan

    Losartan is fetotoxic.

  • B. Enalapril

    Enalapril is fetotoxic.

  • C. Nifedipine (correct)

    Correct. Nifedipine is a standard pregnancy-safe option.

  • D. Spironolactone

    Spironolactone is avoided in pregnancy.

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 C, Nifedipine. Labetalol, nifedipine and methyldopa are the preferred drugs in pregnancy.

Why is "Losartan" not the answer?

Losartan is fetotoxic.

Why is "Enalapril" not the answer?

Enalapril is fetotoxic.

Why is "Spironolactone" not the answer?

Spironolactone is avoided in pregnancy.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cardiovascular: hypertension in pregnancy in Pharmacology. ACE inhibitors and ARBs are fetotoxic, and spironolactone has antiandrogenic effects on a male fetus.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: hypertension in pregnancy?

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.