When administering nifedipine, which condition requires caution or avoidance?

When administering nifedipine, which condition requires caution or avoidance?

• A. Hypernatremia
• B. Hypotension
• C. Hyperkalemia
• D. Hypoglycemia

Answer: (B)

Nifedipine lowers blood pressure by relaxing arterial smooth muscle, which reduces systemic vascular resistance. If a patient is already hypotensive, this medication can drop the pressure even further, risking dizziness, fainting, and inadequate perfusion to vital organs. That’s why hypotension requires caution or avoidance with nifedipine. The other conditions listed don’t inherently conflict with its main mechanism, since hypernatremia, hyperkalemia, and hypoglycemia aren’t direct contraindications for this drug, though overall patient status and monitoring remain important during therapy.

Nifedipine lowers blood pressure by relaxing arterial smooth muscle, which reduces systemic vascular resistance. If a patient is already hypotensive, this medication can drop the pressure even further, risking dizziness, fainting, and inadequate perfusion to vital organs. That’s why hypotension requires caution or avoidance with nifedipine. The other conditions listed don’t inherently conflict with its main mechanism, since hypernatremia, hyperkalemia, and hypoglycemia aren’t direct contraindications for this drug, though overall patient status and monitoring remain important during therapy.