Difficulty: Easy

Average Score: 75%

Why is it likely that a patient with high blood pressure is prescribed a diuretic drug?

Rationale

To increase urine flow, and to decrease total blood volume that must be pumped is the reason why a patient with high blood pressure is likely prescribed a diuretic drug.

Diuretic drugs work by increasing urine production in the kidneys. This leads to a reduction in the total volume of blood that needs to be pumped by the heart, thereby reducing the pressure exerted on the blood vessels, which in turn helps to lower high blood pressure.

A (To decrease urine flow, and to make the blood less viscous and easier to pump) YOUR ANSWER

Decreasing urine flow would actually result in an increase in the total volume of blood, which can exacerbate high blood pressure, not alleviate it. Also, diuretics don't influence blood viscosity.

B (To increase urine flow, and to decrease total blood volume that must be pumped) CORRECT

This is the correct answer. Diuretics increase urine flow, which helps to decrease the total volume of blood in the body. This reduces the amount of blood the heart has to pump, lowering the pressure exerted on the blood vessels and thereby reducing high blood pressure.

C (To increase urine flow, and to increase the total blood volume that must be pumped) YOUR ANSWER

While diuretics do increase urine flow, they do not increase the total blood volume. In fact, they decrease it, which helps to lower blood pressure. Increasing the total blood volume would actually increase blood pressure, not decrease it.

D (To decrease urine flow, and to decrease total blood volume that must be pumped) YOUR ANSWER

Decreasing urine flow would result in an increase in blood volume, which can exacerbate high blood pressure. Furthermore, diuretics are designed to increase urine flow, not decrease it.

Conclusion

A patient with high blood pressure is likely prescribed a diuretic drug to increase urine flow and decrease total blood volume. This is because reducing the total volume of blood that needs to be pumped by the heart helps to alleviate high blood pressure. The other options are incorrect as they involve either decreasing urine flow or increasing total blood volume, which can both lead to an increase in blood pressure.

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