A 55-year-old woman is prescribed atenolol for hypertension. Atenolol works by:

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Blocking beta-1 adrenergic receptors in the heart. Atenolol is a beta-blocker that specifically targets beta-1 adrenergic receptors in the heart, leading to decreased heart rate and contractility, thereby reducing blood pressure. Choice A is incorrect as blocking calcium channels is the mechanism of action for calcium channel blockers. Choice B is incorrect as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) inhibit the enzyme that produces angiotensin II. Choice D is incorrect as diuretics are medications that increase the excretion of sodium in the kidneys.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Step 1: SSRIs are a class of antidepressants that work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. Step 2: Fluoxetine is an SSRI commonly used to treat depression and other mental health conditions. Step 3: Sertraline, citalopram, and lorazepam are not SSRIs but belong to other classes of medications. Summary: Sertraline, citalopram, and lorazepam are incorrect choices as they do not belong to the SSRI class like fluoxetine does.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: A patient with a history of glaucoma. Albuterol can potentially worsen glaucoma due to its side effect of increasing intraocular pressure. Patients with glaucoma should avoid using albuterol to prevent exacerbating their condition. Patients with asthma (B) benefit from albuterol as it is a bronchodilator. Cough (C) can be a symptom of conditions that albuterol may help treat. Albuterol is generally safe for pregnant patients (D) when the benefits outweigh the risks.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Replacing deficient thyroid hormone. Levothyroxine is a synthetic form of thyroid hormone used to treat hypothyroidism by supplementing the low levels of thyroid hormone in the body. It does not increase TSH production (Choice A), inhibit thyroid hormone synthesis (Choice C), or increase the metabolism of thyroid hormones (Choice D). By providing the missing thyroid hormone, levothyroxine helps restore normal thyroid function and alleviate symptoms of hypothyroidism.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Fluoxetine falls under this class by specifically inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin, leading to increased serotonin levels in the brain. This mechanism helps alleviate symptoms of depression. Other choices are incorrect because fluoxetine is not an MAOI (B), TCA (C), or SNRI (D), as it does not primarily target monoamine oxidase enzymes, nor does it have the tricyclic structure or target both serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake.