Beta Blockers USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 44-year-old woman presents with episodic headaches, palpitations, and diaphoresis. Vital signs show BP 180/110 mmHg, HR 98 bpm, RR 16, temp 37°C, SpO2 98%. Plasma metanephrines are elevated at 4.2 times normal; CT abdomen reveals a 3-cm right adrenal mass. She denies chest pain. Preoperatively, she receives a nonselective irreversible alpha blocker to prevent catecholamine-induced hypertensive crisis during tumor resection. Which drug was most likely administered?
Answer choices
- ADobutamine
- BLabetalol
- CPhenoxybenzamineCorrect answer
- DPrazosin
- EMetoprolol
- FPhentolamine
See the full explanation
Get the correct-answer rationale, why each distractor is wrong, the underlying mechanism, and high-yield associations — plus adaptive practice that targets your weak areas — with a free MedBoardPRO account.