Certified Inpatient Coding (CIC) Practice Exam

Which classification of drugs is denoted by the suffix -pril?

1. Beta Blocker

2. Anti-viral

3. ACE inhibitor

4. H2 antagonist

The correct answer is: ACE inhibitor

The suffix -pril indicates a class of medications known as ACE inhibitors (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme inhibitors). These drugs are primarily used to treat conditions such as hypertension and heart failure. They work by inhibiting the action of the enzyme that converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a substance that narrows blood vessels. By blocking this enzyme, ACE inhibitors help relax blood vessels, thereby lowering blood pressure and reducing the workload on the heart. In contrast, medications with other suffixes correspond to different drug classes. Drugs that end in -olol are typically beta-blockers, which decrease heart rate and relax blood vessels. Anti-viral medications usually do not have a common suffix like -pril, but they are used to treat viral infections. H2 antagonists, which are used to reduce stomach acid, typically have different suffixes such as -idine. Understanding these suffixes is essential for identifying drug classes and their therapeutic uses in medical coding and clinical practice.