Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) Practice Exam

What defines the primary use of Hypertensive medications?

1. To lower blood pressure

2. To relieve anxiety

3. To induce sleep

4. To raise blood sugar

The correct answer is: To lower blood pressure

The primary use of hypertensive medications is to lower blood pressure. These medications are specifically designed to manage hypertension, a condition where the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. By lowering blood pressure, these medications help reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular events such as heart attacks, strokes, and other complications associated with chronic high blood pressure. Hypertensive medications include a variety of classes, such as diuretics, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and angiotensin II receptor blockers, all of which work through different mechanisms to achieve the goal of reducing blood pressure to safer levels. The other options pertain to different therapeutic purposes and are not related to the primary function of hypertensive medications. For instance, medications used to relieve anxiety or induce sleep are classified as anxiolytics or sedatives, respectively, while any medications that raise blood sugar levels are typically related to the treatment of diabetes, rather than the control of blood pressure.