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Uncontrolled hypertension with ankle swelling — GPhC CRA MCQ

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ModerateCardiovascular TherapeuticsUncontrolled hypertension with ankle swellingGPhC CRA

A 63-year-old woman on amlodipine 10 mg daily reports marked bilateral ankle swelling. Her blood pressure is 154/88 mmHg and she has no breathlessness. What is the most appropriate action?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: B — Refer to the prescriber to review treatment rather than recommending a diuretic

Amlodipine commonly causes peripheral oedema, and adding a diuretic is often ineffective for this mechanism. The best answer addresses the key safety, legal or pharmaceutical care issue in the vignette. The other options would either delay appropriate care, create a new risk, or fail to resolve the issue. This is consistent with the cited UK reference for safe pharmacy practice.

Reference: BNF; NICE CKS