NSAIDs: patent ductus arteriosus: practice question

A Pharmacology 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

Pharmacology · NSAIDs: patent ductus arteriosus

Sample item

A preterm neonate has a haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus. Which drug is used to promote closure?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Indomethacin or ibuprofen

Prostaglandins keep the ductus open, so inhibiting their synthesis with indomethacin or ibuprofen promotes closure. Prostaglandin E1 is used for the opposite purpose, to maintain patency in duct-dependent congenital heart disease.

Option by option

  • A. Indomethacin or ibuprofen (correct)

    Correct. COX inhibitors close the ductus.

  • B. Prostaglandin E1 infusion

    Alprostadil keeps the ductus open.

  • C. Dinoprostone

    Dinoprostone is a prostaglandin and would not close it.

  • D. Misoprostol

    Misoprostol is a prostaglandin analogue and would not close it.

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 Pharmacology questions

Questions about this Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is A, Indomethacin or ibuprofen. Prostaglandins keep the ductus open, so inhibiting their synthesis with indomethacin or ibuprofen promotes closure.

Why is "Prostaglandin E1 infusion" not the answer?

Alprostadil keeps the ductus open.

Why is "Dinoprostone" not the answer?

Dinoprostone is a prostaglandin and would not close it.

Why is "Misoprostol" not the answer?

Misoprostol is a prostaglandin analogue and would not close it.

What concept does this question test?

It tests NSAIDs: patent ductus arteriosus in Pharmacology. Prostaglandin E1 is used for the opposite purpose, to maintain patency in duct-dependent congenital heart disease.

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 NSAIDs: patent ductus arteriosus?

Learn drugs as classes, then the exception in each class that an examiner would pick. Then use the flashcards and the other Pharmacology 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.