Cardiovascular: thiazide-like diuretics: practice question

A Pharmacology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pharmacology · Cardiovascular: thiazide-like diuretics

Sample item

A 55-year-old man with stage 2 hypertension needs a diuretic with proven outcome benefit and a long duration of action for once-daily use. Which is preferred?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Chlorthalidone

Chlorthalidone and indapamide are long-acting thiazide-like diuretics with outcome evidence in hypertension, and they are favoured over short-acting thiazides. Loop diuretics are generally reserved for oedema or advanced renal impairment.

Option by option

  • A. Hydrochlorothiazide at 6 hour dosing

    Hydrochlorothiazide is shorter acting, and the stem asks for the best long-acting agent.

  • B. Furosemide

    Furosemide has a short action and is not a first-line antihypertensive.

  • C. Mannitol

    Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic and not for hypertension.

  • D. Chlorthalidone (correct)

    Correct. Chlorthalidone is long acting with outcome data.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is D, Chlorthalidone. Chlorthalidone and indapamide are long-acting thiazide-like diuretics with outcome evidence in hypertension, and they are favoured over short-acting thiazides.

Why is "Hydrochlorothiazide at 6 hour dosing" not the answer?

Hydrochlorothiazide is shorter acting, and the stem asks for the best long-acting agent.

Why is "Furosemide" not the answer?

Furosemide has a short action and is not a first-line antihypertensive.

Why is "Mannitol" not the answer?

Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic and not for hypertension.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cardiovascular: thiazide-like diuretics in Pharmacology. Loop diuretics are generally reserved for oedema or advanced renal impairment.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Cardiovascular: thiazide-like diuretics?

Learn drugs as classes, then the exception in each class that an examiner would pick. Then use the flashcards and the other Pharmacology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.