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

Cholesterol medications typically end with which suffix?

1. -olol

2. -pril

3. -statin

4. -sartan

The correct answer is: -statin

The correct answer is the suffix that denotes a class of medications known as statins, which are primarily used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. Statins function by inhibiting an enzyme involved in the production of cholesterol in the liver, thereby helping to reduce overall cholesterol and improve cardiovascular health. Examples of statin medications include atorvastatin, simvastatin, and rosuvastatin, all of which share this common suffix. The other suffixes listed are associated with different classes of medications: - Medications ending in -olol refer to beta-blockers, which are commonly used to manage cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension and heart arrhythmias. - The -pril suffix is indicative of ACE inhibitors, which are typically prescribed for high blood pressure and heart failure. - Drugs ending with -sartan are angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), also used primarily for high blood pressure and heart disease. Understanding these suffixes can aid in recognizing the pharmacological categories and potential uses of various medications, an important aspect of managing patient care in a clinical setting.