Systemic paediatrics: prostaglandin E1 use: practice question

A Pediatrics 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.

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Pediatrics · Systemic paediatrics: prostaglandin E1 use

Sample item

A 3-day-old becomes deeply cyanosed and shocked as the ductus closes, with a single loud S2 and no murmur, in a suspected duct-dependent lesion. What is the immediate drug therapy?

AOxygen at 100 percent as the only therapyBProstaglandin E1 infusionCIndomethacinDFurosemide

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Prostaglandin E1 infusion

Prostaglandin E1 keeps the ductus arteriosus patent and is lifesaving in duct-dependent pulmonary or systemic circulation, such as pulmonary atresia, critical coarctation, hypoplastic left heart or transposition. Apnoea is a recognised side effect.

Option by option

A. Oxygen at 100 percent as the only therapy
Oxygen can promote ductal closure.
B. Prostaglandin E1 infusion (correct)
Correct. PGE1 maintains ductal patency.
C. Indomethacin
Indomethacin would close the duct and worsen the condition.
D. Furosemide
Furosemide does not restore blood flow.

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.

Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is B, Prostaglandin E1 infusion. Prostaglandin E1 keeps the ductus arteriosus patent and is lifesaving in duct-dependent pulmonary or systemic circulation, such as pulmonary atresia, critical coarctation, hypoplastic left heart or transposition.

Why is "Oxygen at 100 percent as the only therapy" not the answer?

Oxygen can promote ductal closure.

Why is "Indomethacin" not the answer?

Indomethacin would close the duct and worsen the condition.

Why is "Furosemide" not the answer?

Furosemide does not restore blood flow.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Systemic paediatrics: prostaglandin E1 use in Pediatrics. Apnoea is a recognised side effect.

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 Systemic paediatrics: prostaglandin E1 use?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics 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.