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 medication is used for vasoconstricting in bleeding varices and is selective for splanchnic vessels?

Vasopressin
Octreotide
Nadolol
Propranolol

The correct answer is: Octreotide

In the treatment of bleeding varices, the medication used for vasoconstricting that is selective for splanchnic vessels is Octreotide. Octreotide is a synthetic analogue of somatostatin that works by inhibiting the release of various hormones, including glucagon, insulin, and growth hormone. By decreasing the splanchnic blood flow, Octreotide helps in reducing portal hypertension and controlling bleeding from varices. Vasopressin (Option A) is also a vasoconstrictor used in the management of bleeding varices, but it is not selective for splanchnic vessels like Octreotide. Nadolol (Option C) and Propranolol (Option D) are non-selective beta-blockers, typically used for the prophylaxis of bleeding varices by reducing portal pressure through non-selective beta-adrenergic receptor blockade, rather than direct vasoconstriction of splanchnic vessels.