Pain: epidural clonidine: 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 · Pain: epidural clonidine

Sample item

What are the main side effects of clonidine added to an epidural local anaesthetic?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Hypotension, bradycardia and sedation

Clonidine is an alpha-2 agonist that prolongs analgesia by acting on spinal dorsal horn receptors. Systemic absorption and central effects cause hypotension, bradycardia and sedation. Pruritus and urinary retention are typical of neuraxial opioids.

Option by option

  • A. Pruritus and urinary retention as the principal effects

    Pruritus and retention characterise neuraxial opioids.

  • B. Hyperkalaemia

    Clonidine is not associated with hyperkalaemia.

  • C. Hypotension, bradycardia and sedation (correct)

    Correct. Alpha-2 agonism reduces sympathetic outflow and causes sedation.

  • D. Tachycardia and hypertension

    Clonidine lowers rather than raises heart rate and pressure.

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 Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is C, Hypotension, bradycardia and sedation. Clonidine is an alpha-2 agonist that prolongs analgesia by acting on spinal dorsal horn receptors.

Why is "Pruritus and urinary retention as the principal effects" not the answer?

Pruritus and retention characterise neuraxial opioids.

Why is "Hyperkalaemia" not the answer?

Clonidine is not associated with hyperkalaemia.

Why is "Tachycardia and hypertension" not the answer?

Clonidine lowers rather than raises heart rate and pressure.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pain: epidural clonidine in Anaesthesia. Systemic absorption and central effects cause hypotension, bradycardia and sedation. Pruritus and urinary retention are typical of neuraxial opioids.

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 Pain: epidural clonidine?

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.