Intravenous agents: 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 · Intravenous agents

Sample item

A woman with a history of recurrent abdominal pain, port-wine coloured urine and neuropathy is posted for surgery. Which induction agent is contraindicated?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Thiopentone

The history suggests acute intermittent porphyria. Barbiturates such as thiopentone induce delta-aminolevulinic acid synthase and can precipitate an acute attack. Propofol and opioids are considered safe choices.

Option by option

  • A. Nitrous oxide

    Nitrous oxide is regarded as safe in acute porphyria.

  • B. Thiopentone (correct)

    Correct. Barbiturates induce ALA synthase and can trigger porphyric crises.

  • C. Propofol

    Propofol is regarded as safe in acute porphyria.

  • D. Fentanyl

    Fentanyl is considered safe in porphyria.

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 B, Thiopentone. The history suggests acute intermittent porphyria.

Why is "Nitrous oxide" not the answer?

Nitrous oxide is regarded as safe in acute porphyria.

Why is "Propofol" not the answer?

Propofol is regarded as safe in acute porphyria.

Why is "Fentanyl" not the answer?

Fentanyl is considered safe in porphyria.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Intravenous agents in Anaesthesia. Barbiturates such as thiopentone induce delta-aminolevulinic acid synthase and can precipitate an acute attack. Propofol and opioids are considered safe choices.

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 Intravenous agents?

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.