Cardiovascular

Question 1

Amlodipine

Answer 1

CCB for hypertension - inhibits calcium influx into vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle to prevent contraction/encourage vasodilation.

Question 2

Ramipril

Answer 2

ACE inhibitor for hypertension - inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme to prevent production of angiotensin II, thus preventing it from causing vasoconstriction.

Question 3

Atorvastatin

Answer 3

Statin for hypocholesteremia - inhibit HMH-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis.

Question 4

Losartan

Answer 4

Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) for hypertension - prevents binding of angiotensin II to receptor, thus preventing it from causing vasoconstriction.

Question 5

Metoprolol

Answer 5

Cardioselective beta-blocker for hypertension and arrhythmias - block beta-1 adrenoceptors in the heart to prevent binding of adrenaline and noradrenaline, and therefore stimulation of increased heart rate and contractility.

Question 6

Bisoprolol

Answer 6

Cardioselective beta-blocker for hypertension and arrhythmias - block beta-1 adrenoceptors in the heart to prevent binding of adrenaline and noradrenaline, and therefore stimulation of increased heart rate and contractility.

Question 7

Furosemide

Answer 7

Loop diuretic for hypertension and oedema - inhibit Na-K-2Cl carrier in the loop of Henle to reduce sodium chloride reabsorption. This reduces water reabsorption and therefore reduces circulating volume (reduced BP and oedema).

Question 8

Lisinopril

Answer 8

ACE inhibitor for hypertension - inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme to prevent production of angiotensin II, thus preventing it from causing vasoconstriction.

Question 9

Hydrochlorothiazide

Answer 9

Thiazide diuretic for hypertension - blocks sodium-potassium ATPase in the tubular lumen to prevent reabsorption of sodium. This reduces water reabsorption and therefore reduces circulating volume (reduced BP).

Question 10

Warfarin

Answer 10

Vitamin K antagonist/anticoagulant - blocks vitamin K epoxide reductase complex in the liver to prevent vitamin K activation and therefore production of vitamin-K dependent clotting factors.

Question 11

Propanolol

Answer 11

Non-selective beta-blocker for hypertension - blocks both beta-1 and beta-2 adrenoceptors to prevent binding of adrenaline and noradrenaline. It’s inhibition of beta-1 adrenoceptors in the heart prevents stimulation of increased heart rate and contractility. Beta-2 adrenoceptors found in smooth muscle so inhibition can lead to vasoconstriction of vascular (hypertension) or bronchial smooth muscle (bronchospasm), which isn’t ideal.

Question 12

Rosuvastatin

Answer 12

Statin for hypocholesteremia - inhibit HMH-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis.