Autonomic drugs: 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 drugs

Sample item

What is the principal action of an alpha-1 agonist such as phenylephrine?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Peripheral vasoconstriction

Alpha-1 receptor stimulation contracts vascular smooth muscle, increasing peripheral vascular resistance and often raising blood pressure.

Option by option

  • A. Bronchial smooth-muscle relaxation

    Bronchodilation is mainly beta-2 mediated.

  • B. Increased gut motility

    Sympathetic alpha action does not increase gut motility.

  • C. Peripheral vasoconstriction (correct)

    Correct: alpha-1 activation causes vasoconstriction.

  • D. Reduced renin release

    Renin release is promoted by beta-1 activity.

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 Pharmacology questions

Questions about this Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is C, Peripheral vasoconstriction. Alpha-1 receptor stimulation contracts vascular smooth muscle, increasing peripheral vascular resistance and often raising blood pressure.

Why is "Bronchial smooth-muscle relaxation" not the answer?

Bronchodilation is mainly beta-2 mediated.

Why is "Increased gut motility" not the answer?

Sympathetic alpha action does not increase gut motility.

Why is "Reduced renin release" not the answer?

Renin release is promoted by beta-1 activity.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Autonomic drugs in Pharmacology. The correct option holds because: Correct: alpha-1 activation causes vasoconstriction.

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 Autonomic drugs?

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.