American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide for Exam Success!

The correct choice is enalapril (Vasotec), as it is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that is particularly beneficial for patients with diabetes. This class of medication not only helps lower blood pressure but also provides renal protective effects, which is crucial for diabetic patients who are at increased risk of diabetic nephropathy.

In addition to managing hypertension, ACE inhibitors can improve outcomes for those with cardiovascular conditions, making them ideal for a 60-year-old diabetic patient with elevated blood pressure despite lifestyle modifications. Monitoring kidney function and potassium levels is important when prescribing this medication.

Hydrochlorothiazide, while effective for hypertension, may not offer the same renal protective effects as enalapril and is generally considered when lifestyle changes are insufficient and in patients without diabetes-related kidney concerns. Propranolol is a beta-blocker and is not typically the first-line choice for managing hypertension in diabetic patients unless there are coexisting conditions like anxiety or certain types of arrhythmias. Furosemide, a loop diuretic, is more suitable in cases requiring fluid management rather than primary hypertension treatment. Therefore, enalapril is the most appropriate medication considering the patient's profile and condition.