What is the recommended blood pressure management medication for a pregnant patient experiencing hypertensive emergency?

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For a pregnant patient experiencing a hypertensive emergency, hydralazine is the recommended medication due to its efficacy and safety profile in this specific population. Hydralazine is a direct vasodilator that leads to a rapid reduction in blood pressure, making it particularly useful during acute hypertensive episodes.

The medication has a long history of use in obstetric patients, particularly for managing gestational hypertension and preeclampsia. Its mechanism of action allows for a decrease in systemic vascular resistance while maintaining uteroplacental blood flow, which is critical for fetal safety.

While clevidipine is also an effective intravenous medication for managing severe hypertension, it is less frequently used in pregnant women compared to hydralazine. Enalaprilat and phentolamine are not typically used in pregnant patients due to potential adverse effects and lack of safety data. Enalaprilat, an ACE inhibitor, is contraindicated during pregnancy due to the risk of fetal harm, particularly in the second and third trimesters, and phentolamine is primarily used for managing catecholamine-induced hypertensive crises, making it less relevant in the context of pregnancy-related hypertensive emergencies.

Thus, the selection of hydralazine for blood pressure management in a

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