Pregnancy: NSAIDs in late gestation: 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.

Try it

Pharmacology · Pregnancy: NSAIDs in late gestation

Sample item

A woman at 34 weeks of gestation takes diclofenac regularly for back pain. Which fetal complication is of greatest concern?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Premature constriction of the ductus arteriosus

Prostaglandin E2 keeps the fetal ductus arteriosus open, and NSAIDs inhibit its synthesis. Use in the third trimester can cause premature ductal constriction, pulmonary hypertension and oligohydramnios from reduced fetal urine output. The same mechanism lets indomethacin close a patent ductus in preterm babies.

Option by option

  • A. Premature constriction of the ductus arteriosus (correct)

    Correct. Prostaglandin inhibition lets the ductus constrict before birth.

  • B. Neural tube defect

    Neural tube defects relate to first-trimester exposure to valproate or carbamazepine, not NSAIDs.

  • C. Persistent patency of the ductus arteriosus

    Persistent patency is treated with indomethacin; NSAIDs cause constriction.

  • D. Fetal goitre

    Fetal goitre is associated with iodides and antithyroid drugs.

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 A, Premature constriction of the ductus arteriosus. Prostaglandin E2 keeps the fetal ductus arteriosus open, and NSAIDs inhibit its synthesis.

Why is "Neural tube defect" not the answer?

Neural tube defects relate to first-trimester exposure to valproate or carbamazepine, not NSAIDs.

Why is "Persistent patency of the ductus arteriosus" not the answer?

Persistent patency is treated with indomethacin; NSAIDs cause constriction.

Why is "Fetal goitre" not the answer?

Fetal goitre is associated with iodides and antithyroid drugs.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pregnancy: NSAIDs in late gestation in Pharmacology. Use in the third trimester can cause premature ductal constriction, pulmonary hypertension and oligohydramnios from reduced fetal urine output. The same mechanism lets indomethacin close a patent ductus in preterm babies.

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 Pregnancy: NSAIDs in late gestation?

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.