After teaching a group of students about drugs used as antianginal agents, the instructor determines that the teaching was successful when the students identify which as a beta-blocker antianginal agent?

The identification of nadolol as a beta-blocker antianginal agent is accurate because nadolol belongs to the class of medications known as beta-adrenergic antagonists. These agents work by blocking the effects of adrenaline on the beta receptors, which leads to a decrease in heart rate and contractility. This reduction in heart workload results in decreased oxygen demand by the heart, making beta-blockers effective in managing angina.

In contrast, ranolazine, verapamil, and amlodipine belong to different classes of antianginal agents. Ranolazine is classified as a metabolic modulator and does not affect blood pressure or heart rate significantly. Verapamil is a calcium channel blocker, which works primarily by relaxing the blood vessels and reducing the heart’s workload, but it is not a beta-blocker. Amlodipine, also a calcium channel blocker, functions similarly by managing blood pressure and increasing blood flow to the heart without having the beta-blocking effects that nadolol provides.

Understanding the specific mechanisms and classifications of these medications is crucial for recognizing how they can be used in the treatment of angina and other cardiovascular conditions.