Question

Which of the following is not used in preeclampsia ?

• A. Methyldopa
• B. Atenolol
• C. Labetalol
• D. Hydralazine

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Antihypertensive choice in pregnancy is governed by fetal safety. The accepted drugs are $labetalol$, methyldopa, hydralazine and nifedipine, each with a long safety record in pregnant women.
Step 2: Plain beta-blockers such as atenolol reduce uteroplacental blood flow and have been linked to reduced fetal growth and neonatal bradycardia, so guidelines exclude atenolol from routine use in pre-eclampsia.
Step 3: Mapping the options: for PIH and pre-eclampsia, labetalol is first line; for an acute hypertensive crisis, IV labetalol followed by nifedipine and hydralazine is used; for chronic hypertension, labetalol and methyldopa are favoured. Atenolol fits none of these preferred slots.
Step 4: Therefore the single drug not employed is atenolol.\[\boxed{\text{Atenolol}}\]