Autonomic Pharmacology USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 68-year-old man with hypertension presents to the emergency department 2 hours after taking his first dose of a newly prescribed antihypertensive medication. He reports a sudden severe occipital headache, profuse diaphoresis, palpitations, and tremor. His wife mentions he started a new antidepressant this morning for recently diagnosed major depression. Vital signs: BP 215/118 mmHg, HR 118 bpm, RR 19 breaths/min, temperature 37.9°C. Physical examination reveals dilated pupils, flushed skin, and moist palms. The patient denies chest pain, recent diet changes, or NSAID use. Which of the following antihypertensive agents most likely precipitated this hypertensive emergency?
Answer choices
- APhenoxybenzamine
- BPhenelzineCorrect answer
- CLabetalol
- DPhentolamine
- EVenlafaxine
- FCaptopril
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