American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Certification Practice Test

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Beta blockers are frequently identified by which suffix?

-dipine
-pril
-sartan
-olol

The correct answer is: -olol

Beta blockers are frequently identified by the suffix "-olol." This naming convention is significant as it indicates a class of medications known for their ability to block beta-adrenergic receptors, which play a crucial role in the sympathetic nervous system. By blocking these receptors, beta blockers can reduce heart rate, decrease myocardial contractility, and lower blood pressure, making them effective in treating conditions such as hypertension, heart failure, and angina. Each of the other suffixes corresponds to different classes of medications: the suffix "-dipine" is typically used for calcium channel blockers, which are used primarily to treat hypertension and angina; "-pril" is associated with ACE inhibitors, commonly prescribed for heart failure and hypertension; while "-sartan" is linked to angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), which also manage blood pressure among other conditions. Recognizing these suffixes can aid healthcare professionals in categorizing and understanding the therapeutic uses of various medications.