CVS PHARMACY TECH FINAL EXAM
2025/2026 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS CURRENTLY TESTING
COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
VERIFIED ANSWERS /ALREADY GRADED
A+
What are the adverse effects of angiotensin II receptor
blockers? - ....ANSWER...Include hypotension,
hyperkalaemia and they can worsen/cause renal failure
What are contraindications and drug interactions of
ARBs? - ....ANSWER...Shouldn't be given to patients with
renal artery stenosis, AKD, CKD or pregnant women or to
patients taking other hyperkalaemia causing drugs or
NSAIDs
What are the 3 types of CCB? -
....ANSWER...Dihydropyridines or non-dihydropyridines
(phenylalkylamines and benzothiazepines)
,What are the dihydropyridines? - ....ANSWER...Selective
for peripheral vasculature and have little to no
chronotropic/inotropic effects
Adverse effects includes ankle swelling, flushing, headaches
due to vasodilation and palpitations due to compensatory
tachycardia (to compensate for the decreased BP). Unstable
angina and severe aortic stenosis are contraindications,
with amlodipine interacting with simvastatin to increase its
effects - dose would be decreased.
E.g. amlodipine, nifedipine and nimodipine
What are phenylalkylamines? - ....ANSWER...Depress the
SA node, slow AV conduction and have a negative inotropic
effect making them useful antiarrhythmics
Adverse effects include constipation, bradycardia, heart
block and cardiac failure, with contraindications including
poor LV function and AV nodal conduction delay. They
shouldn't be used alongside ß-blockers or other
antihypertensive and antiarrhythmic agents.
E.g. Verapamil
How can beta blockers be used in hypertension? -
....ANSWER...Decrease sympathetic tone by blocking NA
, and reducing myocardial contraction resulting in a reduced
CO. They also decrease renin secretion due to action at ß1
receptors. Adverse effects include bronchospasm, heart
block, Raynaud's (cold hands), lethargy, impotence and
they can mask tachycardia. They are contraindicated in
asthma and COPD, haemodynamic instability and hepatic
failure and shouldn't be taken along with non-
dihydropyridine CCBs
How can alpha blockers be used in hypertension? -
....ANSWER...selectively antagonistic of alpha1 receptors
and reduce peripheral vascular resistance. Adverse effects
include postural hypotension, dizziness, syncope, headache
and fatigue, with contraindication including postural
hypotension. They shouldn't be used in conjunction with
dihydropyridines as that can cause oedema.
How is heart failure treated? - ....ANSWER...A diuretic
and other therapeutic agents are added, with the aims of
treatment being to reduce symptoms, increase exercise
tolerance, address arrhythmias, hyperlipidaemia and
diabetes, slow morbidity and increase the quality of life
2025/2026 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS CURRENTLY TESTING
COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
VERIFIED ANSWERS /ALREADY GRADED
A+
What are the adverse effects of angiotensin II receptor
blockers? - ....ANSWER...Include hypotension,
hyperkalaemia and they can worsen/cause renal failure
What are contraindications and drug interactions of
ARBs? - ....ANSWER...Shouldn't be given to patients with
renal artery stenosis, AKD, CKD or pregnant women or to
patients taking other hyperkalaemia causing drugs or
NSAIDs
What are the 3 types of CCB? -
....ANSWER...Dihydropyridines or non-dihydropyridines
(phenylalkylamines and benzothiazepines)
,What are the dihydropyridines? - ....ANSWER...Selective
for peripheral vasculature and have little to no
chronotropic/inotropic effects
Adverse effects includes ankle swelling, flushing, headaches
due to vasodilation and palpitations due to compensatory
tachycardia (to compensate for the decreased BP). Unstable
angina and severe aortic stenosis are contraindications,
with amlodipine interacting with simvastatin to increase its
effects - dose would be decreased.
E.g. amlodipine, nifedipine and nimodipine
What are phenylalkylamines? - ....ANSWER...Depress the
SA node, slow AV conduction and have a negative inotropic
effect making them useful antiarrhythmics
Adverse effects include constipation, bradycardia, heart
block and cardiac failure, with contraindications including
poor LV function and AV nodal conduction delay. They
shouldn't be used alongside ß-blockers or other
antihypertensive and antiarrhythmic agents.
E.g. Verapamil
How can beta blockers be used in hypertension? -
....ANSWER...Decrease sympathetic tone by blocking NA
, and reducing myocardial contraction resulting in a reduced
CO. They also decrease renin secretion due to action at ß1
receptors. Adverse effects include bronchospasm, heart
block, Raynaud's (cold hands), lethargy, impotence and
they can mask tachycardia. They are contraindicated in
asthma and COPD, haemodynamic instability and hepatic
failure and shouldn't be taken along with non-
dihydropyridine CCBs
How can alpha blockers be used in hypertension? -
....ANSWER...selectively antagonistic of alpha1 receptors
and reduce peripheral vascular resistance. Adverse effects
include postural hypotension, dizziness, syncope, headache
and fatigue, with contraindication including postural
hypotension. They shouldn't be used in conjunction with
dihydropyridines as that can cause oedema.
How is heart failure treated? - ....ANSWER...A diuretic
and other therapeutic agents are added, with the aims of
treatment being to reduce symptoms, increase exercise
tolerance, address arrhythmias, hyperlipidaemia and
diabetes, slow morbidity and increase the quality of life
