IV hydralazine used in hypertensive emergency is best described as which type of agent?

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Multiple Choice

IV hydralazine used in hypertensive emergency is best described as which type of agent?

Explanation:
Direct-acting vasodilator. IV hydralazine works by relaxing vascular smooth muscle, mainly in arterioles, which drops systemic vascular resistance and afterload. This rapid dilation lowers blood pressure quickly, which is essential in a hypertensive emergency. It can cause reflex tachycardia and fluid retention, so it’s often used with close monitoring and sometimes paired with a beta-blocker or diuretic. It is not a vasoconstrictor, nor a beta-adrenergic agonist, nor a diuretic—the characteristic effect that defines its use in this scenario is vasodilation.

Direct-acting vasodilator. IV hydralazine works by relaxing vascular smooth muscle, mainly in arterioles, which drops systemic vascular resistance and afterload. This rapid dilation lowers blood pressure quickly, which is essential in a hypertensive emergency. It can cause reflex tachycardia and fluid retention, so it’s often used with close monitoring and sometimes paired with a beta-blocker or diuretic. It is not a vasoconstrictor, nor a beta-adrenergic agonist, nor a diuretic—the characteristic effect that defines its use in this scenario is vasodilation.

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