Inhalational agents: practice question

A Anaesthesia question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

Try it

Anaesthesia · Inhalational agents

Sample item

Minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) is a measure of:

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Potency of an inhalational anaesthetic

MAC is the alveolar concentration at which 50% of patients do not move to a surgical incision. Lower MAC means higher potency. Blood-gas partition coefficient, not MAC, determines the speed of induction and recovery.

Option by option

  • A. Potency of an inhalational anaesthetic (correct)

    Correct. A lower MAC means a more potent agent.

  • B. Speed of induction

    Speed of induction depends on solubility.

  • C. Blood-gas solubility

    Blood-gas solubility is a separate property.

  • D. Duration of recovery

    Recovery depends on solubility and duration of administration.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Anaesthesia questions

Questions about this Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is A, Potency of an inhalational anaesthetic. MAC is the alveolar concentration at which 50% of patients do not move to a surgical incision.

Why is "Speed of induction" not the answer?

Speed of induction depends on solubility.

Why is "Blood-gas solubility" not the answer?

Blood-gas solubility is a separate property.

Why is "Duration of recovery" not the answer?

Recovery depends on solubility and duration of administration.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Inhalational agents in Anaesthesia. Lower MAC means higher potency. Blood-gas partition coefficient, not MAC, determines the speed of induction and recovery.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Inhalational agents?

Make a table of each agent, its key advantage and its main side effect. Then use the flashcards and the other Anaesthesia questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.