Pharmacy PEBC Practice Exam

The choice of ACE inhibitors as contraindicated in pregnancy due to their potential teratogenic effects is based on significant evidence from clinical studies and guidelines. ACE inhibitors, such as lisinopril and enalapril, have been associated with serious fetal outcomes, particularly if taken during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. These adverse effects can include renal impairment, oligohydramnios (reduced amniotic fluid), lung hypoplasia (underdeveloped lungs), and specific facial deformities known as "ace-inhibitor fetopathy." The risk of these complications originates from the medication's mechanism of action, which affects the renin-angiotensin system, crucial for fetal development.

During pregnancy, the health of both the mother and the fetus needs to be taken into consideration when prescribing medications. Other drug classes, while having their own risks and considerations, have not been shown to pose the same level of risk for teratogenic effects as ACE inhibitors. For example, beta-blockers are used cautiously and may be preferred in some cases for managing conditions in pregnant patients, statins are contraindicated (but primarily concern relating to cholesterol reduction rather than acute teratogenic effects), and many antibiotics are deemed safe during pregnancy with proper