Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

Which class of antihypertensive drugs should be weaned off slowly to prevent rebound hypertension?

1. Diuretics

2. ACE inhibitors

3. Beta-blockers

4. Calcium channel blockers

The correct answer is: Beta-blockers

The appropriate class of antihypertensive drugs that should be weaned off slowly to prevent rebound hypertension is beta-blockers. This is because abrupt discontinuation of beta-blockers can lead to the rebound effect, characterized by an increase in blood pressure and heightened risk for cardiovascular events, especially in patients with a history of coronary artery disease or those who have been taking the medication for an extended period. Beta-blockers work by blocking the effects of adrenaline on the heart, leading to a decrease in heart rate and blood pressure. When these medications are stopped suddenly, the body can respond with an overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system, causing an exaggerated rise in blood pressure. Gradual tapering allows the body to adjust to the absence of the medication while minimizing the risk of rebound hypertension, thereby promoting safer withdrawal. In contrast, other classes of antihypertensive drugs such as diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and calcium channel blockers typically do not have the same withdrawal considerations and can be discontinued more abruptly without significant risk of rebound hypertension.