Florida State Paramedic Practice Exam

What would you expect if a patient is treated with a medication that has hypotension as a side effect?

1. Elevated blood pressure

2. Stable heart rate

3. Lowered heart rate

4. Signs of low blood pressure

The correct answer is: Signs of low blood pressure

When a patient is treated with a medication known to cause hypotension, it is expected that the patient may exhibit signs of low blood pressure. Hypotension refers to abnormally low blood pressure, which can result in symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, or weakness. Therefore, when monitoring a patient who has received such a medication, healthcare providers should be vigilant for any clinical manifestations indicative of low blood pressure, such as a decrease in blood pressure reading or signs of inadequate perfusion. The consideration of other options provides context — elevated blood pressure would contradict the effects of the medication in question, while a stable heart rate might not necessarily occur if the blood pressure drop affects the heart's ability to maintain an adequate cardiac output. Additionally, a lowered heart rate could be a response to the physiological changes caused by hypotension, but it does not directly indicate the presence of low blood pressure itself. Thus, signs of low blood pressure are the most straightforward and expected outcome when administering a medication that has hypotension as a side effect.