NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination) Practice Exam

Beta-blockers are no longer recommended as first-line treatment for hypertension except when a patient has a comorbid condition with a specific indication for beta-blocker use. This is because beta-blockers have been found to be less effective than other antihypertensive medications as initial therapy for hypertension in otherwise healthy patients. In the presence of a comorbid condition for which beta-blockers are indicated, such as angina, heart failure, or post-myocardial infarction, beta-blockers may be the preferred choice due to their specific benefits in these conditions. Therefore, the correct answer is A.

Option B is incorrect because age alone is not a specific criterion for considering beta-blockers as first-line treatment for hypertension. Option C is incorrect because the presence of comorbid conditions is a crucial factor in the decision to use beta-blockers. Option D is incorrect because a patient's preference for medication does not drive the choice of beta-blockers as first-line treatment.