Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA) Practice Exam

In managing a patient's postoperative hypertension, which drug class is typically administered?

1. Calcium channel blockers

2. Beta-blockers

3. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors

4. Vasodilators

The correct answer is: Beta-blockers

Beta-blockers are the drug class typically administered for managing postoperative hypertension due to their ability to decrease heart rate, reduce cardiac output, and lower blood pressure. They work by blocking the effects of adrenaline on the beta-adrenergic receptors, which helps to stabilize the patient's hemodynamics after surgery. Postoperative hypertension can occur due to various reasons, such as stress, pain, or fluid overload. Beta-blockers are particularly effective in a postoperative setting because they not only help in managing blood pressure but also provide additional benefits, such as reducing anxiety and preventing tachycardia. While the other drug classes mentioned can also play a role in managing hypertension, they are often utilized in different clinical scenarios or patient populations. For example, calcium channel blockers might be used for patients with specific cardiac conditions, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are more commonly indicated for patients with heart failure or specific chronic settings, and vasodilators are generally reserved for acute cases or situations where rapid blood pressure reduction is required. Hence, beta-blockers are the most common choice in postoperative settings for controlling elevated blood pressure effectively.