Drugs in pregnancy: atenolol and fetal growth: 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 · Drugs in pregnancy: atenolol and fetal growth

Sample item

A woman with chronic hypertension asks which beta-blocker should be avoided during pregnancy because prolonged exposure is associated with fetal growth restriction. Which one is it?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Atenolol

Prolonged atenolol use in pregnancy has been associated with reduced birth weight and fetal growth restriction, and beta-blockade can cause neonatal bradycardia and hypoglycaemia. Labetalol, methyldopa and nifedipine are the usual antihypertensives in pregnancy.

Option by option

  • A. Atenolol (correct)

    Correct. Atenolol is associated with fetal growth restriction.

  • B. Methyldopa

    Methyldopa has a long safety record in pregnancy.

  • C. Nifedipine

    Nifedipine is an accepted antihypertensive in pregnancy.

  • D. Labetalol

    Labetalol is a commonly chosen antihypertensive in pregnancy.

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.

More Pharmacology questions

Questions about this Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is A, Atenolol. Prolonged atenolol use in pregnancy has been associated with reduced birth weight and fetal growth restriction, and beta-blockade can cause neonatal bradycardia and hypoglycaemia.

Why is "Methyldopa" not the answer?

Methyldopa has a long safety record in pregnancy.

Why is "Nifedipine" not the answer?

Nifedipine is an accepted antihypertensive in pregnancy.

Why is "Labetalol" not the answer?

Labetalol is a commonly chosen antihypertensive in pregnancy.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Drugs in pregnancy: atenolol and fetal growth in Pharmacology. Labetalol, methyldopa and nifedipine are the usual antihypertensives in pregnancy.

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 Drugs in pregnancy: atenolol and fetal growth?

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.