Obstetric anaesthesia: oxytocin bolus: 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.

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Anaesthesia · Obstetric anaesthesia: oxytocin bolus

Sample item

What is the main haemodynamic hazard of a rapid intravenous bolus of oxytocin at caesarean section?

ABronchospasmBSevere hypertension and bradycardiaCHyperkalaemiaDHypotension with tachycardia and flushing

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Hypotension with tachycardia and flushing

Oxytocin has a vasodilating effect and a rapid bolus can cause hypotension, tachycardia, flushing and myocardial ischaemia. It is therefore given as a slow injection or infusion, with smaller doses in patients with cardiac disease. Ergometrine, in contrast, causes hypertension.

Option by option

A. Bronchospasm
Bronchospasm is the hazard of carboprost, not oxytocin.
B. Severe hypertension and bradycardia
Hypertension is a hazard of ergometrine and not of oxytocin.
C. Hyperkalaemia
Oxytocin does not cause hyperkalaemia.
D. Hypotension with tachycardia and flushing (correct)
Correct. Vasodilatation after a fast bolus causes hypotension and reflex tachycardia.

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 Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is D, Hypotension with tachycardia and flushing. Oxytocin has a vasodilating effect and a rapid bolus can cause hypotension, tachycardia, flushing and myocardial ischaemia.

Why is "Bronchospasm" not the answer?

Bronchospasm is the hazard of carboprost, not oxytocin.

Why is "Severe hypertension and bradycardia" not the answer?

Hypertension is a hazard of ergometrine and not of oxytocin.

Why is "Hyperkalaemia" not the answer?

Oxytocin does not cause hyperkalaemia.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Obstetric anaesthesia: oxytocin bolus in Anaesthesia. It is therefore given as a slow injection or infusion, with smaller doses in patients with cardiac disease. Ergometrine, in contrast, causes hypertension.

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 Obstetric anaesthesia: oxytocin bolus?

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.