Volatile agents: malignant hyperthermia: 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 · Volatile agents: malignant hyperthermia

Sample item

Which drug is the specific treatment for malignant hyperthermia triggered by a volatile anaesthetic?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Dantrolene

Dantrolene inhibits ryanodine-receptor-mediated calcium release from skeletal-muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum. Stop triggering agents and treat hyperthermia, acidosis and hyperkalaemia urgently.

Option by option

  • A. Methylene blue

    Methylene blue is used for selected causes of methemoglobinaemia or vasoplegia.

  • B. Naloxone

    Naloxone reverses opioid effects.

  • C. Dantrolene (correct)

    Correct. Dantrolene directly addresses uncontrolled skeletal-muscle calcium release.

  • D. Neostigmine

    Neostigmine reverses nondepolarising neuromuscular block.

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, Dantrolene. Dantrolene inhibits ryanodine-receptor-mediated calcium release from skeletal-muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Why is "Methylene blue" not the answer?

Methylene blue is used for selected causes of methemoglobinaemia or vasoplegia.

Why is "Naloxone" not the answer?

Naloxone reverses opioid effects.

Why is "Neostigmine" not the answer?

Neostigmine reverses nondepolarising neuromuscular block.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Volatile agents: malignant hyperthermia in Anaesthesia. Stop triggering agents and treat hyperthermia, acidosis and hyperkalaemia urgently.

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 Volatile agents: malignant hyperthermia?

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.