Cardiovascular Drugs USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 58-year-old woman with a 10-year history of hypertension and stage 3b chronic kidney disease secondary to diabetic nephropathy is started on lisinopril 10 mg daily. Her baseline creatinine was 2.8 mg/dL (eGFR 28 mL/min/1.73m²) and potassium was 4.2 mEq/L. She returns 2 weeks later reporting good tolerance with blood pressure 128/76 mmHg. Physical examination is unremarkable with no edema or jugular venous distension. Repeat laboratories show: Creatinine: 3.2 mg/dL
Potassium: 5.8 mEq/L
Bicarbonate: 22 mEq/L
Urine output: maintained at baseline She denies dyspnea, chest pain, or decreased urine output. Which of the following is the most appropriate next action?
Answer choices
- ADiscontinue lisinopril immediately due to acute kidney injury
- BContinue lisinopril; monitor potassium and renal functionâexpected initial changes with ACE inhibitors in advanced CKDCorrect answer
- CIncrease lisinopril to 20 mg daily to optimize renal protection
- DSwitch to losartan for superior renal protective effects in diabetic nephropathy
- EAdd hydrochlorothiazide to improve renal perfusion and lower potassium
- FAdd spironolactone to enhance potassium retention and provide additional reno-protection
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