A 58-year-old woman presents with severe hypertension and acute pulmonary edema. Which intravenous antihypertensive acts by releasing nitric oxide and directly dilating both arterioles and veins, providing rapid preload and afterload reduction?
- A Fenoldopam
- B Hydralazine
- C Nitroprusside ✓
- D Labetalol
Correct answer: C. Nitroprusside
Explanation
Nitroprusside releases nitric oxide, causing direct relaxation of vascular smooth muscle in both arteries and veins, with an onset of seconds. Hydralazine is a direct arteriolar dilator without significant venodilation. Fenoldopam is a dopamine-1 agonist, and labetalol is an alpha/beta blocker.
Reference: Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 14th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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