Autonomic: LABA monotherapy: 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.

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Pharmacology · Autonomic: LABA monotherapy

Sample item

A 28-year-old with persistent asthma has been using only salmeterol inhaler for months. What is the main concern with this regimen?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Increased risk of severe exacerbations and asthma-related death without an inhaled corticosteroid

Long-acting beta agonists treat symptoms but not airway inflammation, and monotherapy is associated with increased severe events. They must always be combined with an inhaled corticosteroid in asthma.

Option by option

  • A. Rapid development of adrenal suppression

    Adrenal suppression is related to steroids, not LABAs.

  • B. Loss of bronchodilator action within hours

    Salmeterol has a duration of about 12 hours.

  • C. Paradoxical bradycardia

    Tachycardia, not bradycardia, is typical.

  • D. Increased risk of severe exacerbations and asthma-related death without an inhaled corticosteroid (correct)

    Correct. LABA alone leaves inflammation untreated and raises serious risk.

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.

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Questions about this Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is D, Increased risk of severe exacerbations and asthma-related death without an inhaled corticosteroid. Long-acting beta agonists treat symptoms but not airway inflammation, and monotherapy is associated with increased severe events.

Why is "Rapid development of adrenal suppression" not the answer?

Adrenal suppression is related to steroids, not LABAs.

Why is "Loss of bronchodilator action within hours" not the answer?

Salmeterol has a duration of about 12 hours.

Why is "Paradoxical bradycardia" not the answer?

Tachycardia, not bradycardia, is typical.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Autonomic: LABA monotherapy in Pharmacology. They must always be combined with an inhaled corticosteroid in asthma.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Autonomic: LABA monotherapy?

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.