Dipyridamole is inappropriate for use in older adults because it can cause orthostatic hypotension, and a form is acceptable only for cardiac stress testing. Which medication fits this description?

• A. Amiodarone
• B. Digoxin
• C. Dipyridamole (oral, short-acting)
• D. Clonidine

Answer: (C)

The key idea is how certain drugs used for cardiac testing have safety profiles that matter more in older adults. Dipyridamole is a coronary vasodilator used in pharmacologic stress testing when a patient can’t exercise. It can cause orthostatic hypotension, which is especially risky in older adults who are more prone to dizziness and falls. There is an oral, short-acting form of dipyridamole that is specifically approved for this type of cardiac stress testing, highlighting its unique role and safety considerations in the elderly.

The other medications listed don’t share this exact pattern: they aren’t primarily associated with a form that’s acceptable only for cardiac stress testing, and while they have their own safety profiles, they don’t match the combination of orthostatic hypotension risk and a stress-testing–specific formulation.