Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of using thiazide diuretics for antihypertensive therapy?

1. No central nervous system side effects

2. Effective in diastolic hypertension

3. Good response rate

4. Infrequent dosing

The correct answer is: Effective in diastolic hypertension

Choosing thiazide diuretics for antihypertensive therapy is often associated with several benefits. One of the significant advantages of thiazide diuretics includes the absence of central nervous system side effects, which is essential for patient compliance and comfort, especially in older adults who may be more sensitive to these effects. Additionally, thiazide diuretics generally achieve a good response rate across various patient populations, which lends confidence in their efficacy as first-line agents for hypertension. Another benefit is that many of these medications can be administered less frequently due to their extended half-lives, making them convenient for patients to use consistently without the need for multiple daily doses. However, while thiazide diuretics are effective, especially in managing systolic hypertension, they may not be as effective in controlling diastolic hypertension, particularly in some patient populations. Some studies suggest that their effectiveness can be limited when diastolic hypertension is the primary concern, which could lead to the impression that this aspect may not be viewed as an advantage of these medications in certain circumstances.