Which combination of a disease associated with hypertension and its corresponding therapy is appropriate?

The combination of aortic dissection and its corresponding therapy with nitroprusside and propranolol is particularly appropriate because of the critical need to rapidly control blood pressure and heart rate in this life-threatening condition. Aortic dissection occurs when a tear in the aorta's wall creates a false lumen, leading to potentially catastrophic outcomes if not managed promptly.

Using nitroprusside is advantageous due to its rapid onset of action and ability to induce vasodilation, which helps to lower systemic blood pressure effectively. Propranolol addresses the heart rate, further reducing the oxygen demand of the heart and decreasing the stress on the aorta. This dual approach is essential to manage the high-pressure gradient that occurs during an aortic dissection.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the standard treatment guidelines for their respective conditions. For example, angina is not typically treated with phentolamine, a non-selective alpha-adrenergic antagonist. Bilateral renal artery stenosis may worsen with the use of ACE inhibitors like captopril, which can lead to renal insufficiency due to decreased renal perfusion. Lastly, hydrochlorothiazide is not the first-line treatment for pheochromocytoma, which is