NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination) Practice Exam

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Ace your North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) with our comprehensive practice test. Features include interactive flashcards, multiple-choice questions, with detailed hints and explanations. Fast-track your pharmacy career today!

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Which direct vasodilator is known to cause fluid retention, tachycardia, and hair growth?

Hydralazine
Minoxidil
Labetalol
Diltiazem

The correct answer is: Minoxidil

Minoxidil is the correct answer because it is a direct vasodilator that can cause fluid retention, tachycardia, and hair growth. Minoxidil, when used orally for hypertension, can lead to these side effects due to its mechanism of action in dilating blood vessels, which can cause fluid retention and a compensatory tachycardia. Additionally, one of the side effects of minoxidil is hypertrichosis, which is an abnormal hair growth. The other options are incorrect: A. Hydralazine: Although hydralazine is also a direct vasodilator, it is not known to cause significant fluid retention, tachycardia, or hair growth as seen with minoxidil. C. Labetalol: Labetalol is a beta-blocker with alpha-1 blocking activity used for hypertension, and it does not typically cause hair growth, fluid retention, or tachycardia. D. Diltiazem: Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker and does not cause hair growth. While it can cause peripheral edema (fluid retention) and bradycardia (opposite of tachycardia), these side effects are different from those associated with minoxidil.