Pain: tramadol: 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: tramadol

Sample item

Which statement about tramadol is correct?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. It is a weak mu agonist that also inhibits serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake, and it can lower the seizure threshold

Tramadol acts at mu opioid receptors and inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and noradrenaline. Its adverse effects include nausea, seizures and serotonin syndrome when combined with SSRIs, MAO inhibitors or other serotonergic drugs. Naloxone only partially reverses its effect.

Option by option

  • A. It has no seizure risk

    Seizures are a recognised adverse effect.

  • B. It is a pure kappa agonist

    It is not a kappa agonist.

  • C. It is safe to combine with all antidepressants

    Combination with serotonergic antidepressants can cause serotonin syndrome.

  • D. It is a weak mu agonist that also inhibits serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake, and it can lower the seizure threshold (correct)

    Correct. The dual mechanism explains its analgesia and its risks.

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 Anaesthesia questions

Questions about this Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is D, It is a weak mu agonist that also inhibits serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake, and it can lower the seizure threshold. Tramadol acts at mu opioid receptors and inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and noradrenaline.

Why is "It has no seizure risk" not the answer?

Seizures are a recognised adverse effect.

Why is "It is a pure kappa agonist" not the answer?

It is not a kappa agonist.

Why is "It is safe to combine with all antidepressants" not the answer?

Combination with serotonergic antidepressants can cause serotonin syndrome.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pain: tramadol in Anaesthesia. Its adverse effects include nausea, seizures and serotonin syndrome when combined with SSRIs, MAO inhibitors or other serotonergic drugs. Naloxone only partially reverses its 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 Pain: tramadol?

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.