Antiepileptics: 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 · Antiepileptics

Sample item

Why is valproate generally avoided during pregnancy?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. High risk of neural tube defects

Valproate exposure in pregnancy is associated with major congenital malformations, especially neural tube defects, and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Option by option

  • A. It prevents folate absorption only

    Folate interaction is not the full reason.

  • B. It has no placental transfer

    Valproate crosses the placenta.

  • C. It causes fetal deafness only

    Deafness is not the defining risk.

  • D. High risk of neural tube defects (correct)

    Correct: teratogenic neural-tube risk is key.

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 Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is D, High risk of neural tube defects. Valproate exposure in pregnancy is associated with major congenital malformations, especially neural tube defects, and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Why is "It prevents folate absorption only" not the answer?

Folate interaction is not the full reason.

Why is "It has no placental transfer" not the answer?

Valproate crosses the placenta.

Why is "It causes fetal deafness only" not the answer?

Deafness is not the defining risk.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antiepileptics in Pharmacology. The correct option holds because: Correct: teratogenic neural-tube risk is key.

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 Antiepileptics?

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.