A nurse is caring for a client that is newly diagnosed with hypertension.Which of the following medications is a beta-adrenergic blocker that has a mechanism of action to decrease heart rate, myocardial contractility, and cardiac output, and is also used to treat hypertension?
Explanation & Rationale
Choice A rationaleMetoprolol is a beta-adrenergic blocker that works by decreasing heart rate, myocardial contractility, and cardiac output. It is commonly used to treat hypertension by reducing the workload on the heart and lowering blood pressure.Choice B rationaleNitroglycerin is a vasodilator that is used to treat angina by dilating blood vessels and improving blood flow to the heart. It does not have the same mechanism of action as beta-adrenergic blockers.Choice C rationaleLosartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) that helps relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure. It does not directly decrease heart rate or myocardial contractility like beta-adrenergic blockers.Choice D rationaleMetformin is an oral hypoglycemic agent used to manage type 2 diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing glucose production in the liver. It is not used to treat hypertension and does not have the same mechanism of action as beta-adrenergic blockers.