Emergency medicine: anaphylaxis: practice question

A General Medicine 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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General Medicine · Emergency medicine: anaphylaxis

Sample item

What is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis with airway swelling and hypotension?

AIntramuscular adrenalineBIntravenous antihistamine aloneCOral corticosteroid aloneDNebulised saline

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Intramuscular adrenaline

Intramuscular adrenaline into the anterolateral thigh is first line because it treats airway oedema, bronchospasm and shock. Adjuncts never replace it.

Option by option

A. Intramuscular adrenaline (correct)
Correct. Adrenaline is life-saving first-line therapy.
B. Intravenous antihistamine alone
Antihistamines are adjunctive and do not treat shock.
C. Oral corticosteroid alone
Steroids have delayed onset and are not first line.
D. Nebulised saline
Saline nebulisation does not reverse systemic anaphylaxis.

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 General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is A, Intramuscular adrenaline. Intramuscular adrenaline into the anterolateral thigh is first line because it treats airway oedema, bronchospasm and shock.

Why is "Intravenous antihistamine alone" not the answer?

Antihistamines are adjunctive and do not treat shock.

Why is "Oral corticosteroid alone" not the answer?

Steroids have delayed onset and are not first line.

Why is "Nebulised saline" not the answer?

Saline nebulisation does not reverse systemic anaphylaxis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Emergency medicine: anaphylaxis in General Medicine. Adjuncts never replace it.

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 Emergency medicine: anaphylaxis?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine 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.