PEBC MCQ Hypertension & Dyslipidemia question: guideline recommend starting pharmacotherapy

PEBC MCQHypertension & Dyslipidemia

Four adults have confirmed systolic BP between 130 and 139 mm Hg on home monitoring and none takes antihypertensive drugs. For which person does the 2025 guideline recommend starting pharmacotherapy now?

a. A 58 year old with type 2 diabetes
b. A 44 year old smoker with a 10-year Framingham risk of 12%
c. A 50 year old whose father had hypertension diagnosed at age 70
d. A 66 year old with well-controlled hypothyroidism and osteopenia

Show the answer and explanation

Answer: a. A 58 year old with type 2 diabetes

For systolic BP 130-139 mm Hg, the guideline recommends drug therapy only for people at high cardiovascular risk: established cardiovascular disease, diabetes (type 1 or 2), chronic kidney disease (eGFR below 60 or albuminuria), 10-year Framingham risk of 20% or more, or age 75 or older. The others should start lifestyle changes with reassessment in 3-6 months; a 12% Framingham risk is below the 20% threshold. Source: Hypertension Canada primary care guideline (CMAJ 2025;197:E549), Box 1 High cardiovascular disease risk conditions.

Common mistake

Treating any risk factor as 'high risk' rather than using the listed conditions.

Practice more PEBC MCQ Hypertension & Dyslipidemia questions

Exam-style questions with worked answers, then full timed mocks. Free to start.

Start practicing →

Study note: Hypertension & Dyslipidemia PEBC MCQpractice questions & mock exams

Related PEBC MCQ practice questions

PK is a 52 year old male newly diagnosed with hypertension after home monitoring averaged 148/94 mm Hg. He has no other medical conditions and takes no medications. According to Hypertension Canada's 2025 primary care guideline, which initial treatment is most appropriate?LM, 61, had an office reading of 142/88 mm Hg. Over the next week she measured her BP at home in duplicate twice daily with a validated device, averaging 126/78 mm Hg. How should these results be interpreted?DL, 68, has heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (LVEF 30%), NYHA class II. He takes sacubitril/valsartan 49/51 mg twice daily, bisoprolol 5 mg daily and furosemide 20 mg daily. Potassium is 4.3 mmol/L and eGFR 55 mL/min/1.73 m2. Which addition is most appropriate?

Build a daily practice habit — a few exam-style questions a day, with worked answers. Free to start.

Start practicing →

Original practice material written to the public PEBC blueprint; not a past or real exam question. Not affiliated with or endorsed by The Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC). Educational practice material for exam preparation only. Not medical advice and not a substitute for current product monographs, clinical guidelines or professional judgement. Questions have not yet been reviewed by a licensed pharmacist.