Mechanisms/Drug Class

Question 1

What is the mechanism of action of nitrates?

Answer 1

Nitrates and nitroprusside: donate NO, which activates guanylyl cyclase and increases dephosphorylation of myosin light chain in vascular smooth muscle, causing vasodilation; inhaled nitric oxide gas: selectively dilates the pulmonary vasculature

Question 2

Isosorbide 5-mononitrates

Answer 2

Nitrate

Question 3

Isosorbide dinitriate

Answer 3

Nitrate

Question 4

Nitroglycerin (NTG)

Answer 4

Nitrate

Question 5

Sodium nitroprusside

Answer 5

Nitrate

Question 6

Inhaled nitric oxide gas

Answer 6

Nitrate

Question 7

What is the mechanism of action of Phosphodiesterase Type V Inhibitors?

Answer 7

inhibit PDE5, an enzyme that converts cGMP to GMP, leading to cGMP accumulation in target tissues

Question 8

Sildenafil

Answer 8

Phosphodiesterase Type V Inhibitor

Question 9

Vardenafil

Answer 9

Phosphodiesterase Type V Inhibitor

Question 10

Tadalafil

Answer 10

Phosphodiesterase Type V Inhibitor

Question 11

What is the mechanism of action of calcium channel blockers?

Answer 11

Block voltage-gated L-type calcium channels and prevent the influx of calcium that promotes actin-myosin cross-bridge formation; different classes of calcium channel blockers have unique binding sites on the calcium channel and different affinities for the various conformational states of the channel

Question 12

Dihydropyridines

Answer 12

Calcium channel blocker

Question 13

Nifedipine

Answer 13

Calcium channel blocker (dihyropyridine)

Question 14

Amlodipine

Answer 14

Calcium channel blocker (dihyropyridine)

Question 15

Felodipine

Answer 15

Calcium channel blocker (dihyropyridine)

Question 16

Clevidipine

Answer 16

Calcium channel blocker (dihyropyridine)

Question 17

Benzothiazepine

Answer 17

Calcium channel blocker

Question 18

Diltiazem

Answer 18

Calcium channel blocker (benzothiazepine)

Question 19

Phenylalkylamine

Answer 19

Calcium channel blocker

Question 20

Verapamil

Answer 20

Calcium channel blocker (phenylalkylamine)

Question 21

What is the mechanism of action of potassium channel openers?

Answer 21

open ATP-modulated potassium channels and hyperpolarize plasma membranes, thereby inhibiting influx of calcium through voltage-gated calcium channels

Question 22

Minoxidil

Answer 22

Potassium channel opener

Question 23

Pinacidil

Answer 23

Potassium channel opener

Question 24

Nicorandil

Answer 24

Potassium channel opener

Question 25

Cromakalim

Answer 25

Potassium channel opener

Question 26

What is the mechanism of action of endothelia receptor antagonists?

Answer 26

Block activation of endothelin receptors ETA and ETB by endogenous endothelin; ambrisentan has greater selectivity for ETA than bosentan

Question 27

Bosentan

Answer 27

Endothelin receptor antagonist

Question 28

Ambrisentan

Answer 28

Endothelin receptor antagonist

Question 29

What is the mechanism of action of hydralazine?

Answer 29

Arteriolar vasodilator; mechanism of action is unclear, but proposed mechanisms include membrane hyperpolarization, potassium channel activation, and inhibition of IP3-induced calcium release from sarcoplasmic reticulum in vascular smooth muscle

Question 30

Hydralazine

Answer 30

Hydralazine

Question 31

What is the mechanism of action of α1-adrenergic antagonists?

Answer 31

Block activation of α1-adrenergic receptors by endogenous receptor agonists

Question 32

Prazosin

Answer 32

α1-adrenergic antagonist

Question 33

Doxazosin

Answer 33

α1-adrenergic antagonist

Question 34

Terazosin

Answer 34

α1-adrenergic antagonist

Question 35

What is the mechanism of action of β-adrenergic antagonists?

Answer 35

Block activation of β-adrenergic receptors by endogenous receptor agonists

Question 36

Propranolol

Answer 36

β-adrenergic antagonist

Question 37

Atenolol

Answer 37

β-adrenergic antagonist

Question 38

Metoprolol

Answer 38

β-adrenergic antagonist

Question 39

What is the mechanism of action of ACE inhibitors?

Answer 39

Inhibit cleavage of angiotensin I to angiotensin II by angiotensin converting enzyme; inhibit degradation of bradykinin by kininase II

Question 40

Captopril

Answer 40

ACE inhibitor

Question 41

Enalapril

Answer 41

ACE inhibitor

Question 42

Lisinopril

Answer 42

ACE inhibitor

Question 43

What is the mechanism of action of AT1 receptor antagonists?

Answer 43

Block activation of AT1 receptors by endogenous AT II

Question 44

Losartan

Answer 44

AT1 receptor antagonist

Question 45

Valsartan

Answer 45

AT1 receptor antagonist