Intravenous and inhalational agents: dopamine dose effects: 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 and inhalational agents: dopamine dose effects

Sample item

A dopamine infusion is increased step by step in a hypotensive patient. At high infusion rates, which action predominates and raises blood pressure by vasoconstriction?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Alpha-1 adrenergic stimulation

Dopamine acts at dopaminergic receptors at low doses, beta-1 receptors at intermediate doses, and alpha-1 receptors at high doses. At high rates vasoconstriction predominates, increasing systemic vascular resistance and blood pressure.

Option by option

  • A. Alpha-1 adrenergic stimulation (correct)

    Correct. Alpha-1 effects dominate at high doses.

  • B. D1 receptor mediated renal vasodilatation

    Dopaminergic vasodilatation occurs at low doses.

  • C. Beta-2 mediated vasodilatation

    Beta-2 vasodilatation is not the dominant effect of high-dose dopamine.

  • D. Beta-1 mediated increase in contractility alone

    Beta-1 stimulation is the intermediate-dose effect and is overtaken by alpha effects.

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 Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is A, Alpha-1 adrenergic stimulation. Dopamine acts at dopaminergic receptors at low doses, beta-1 receptors at intermediate doses, and alpha-1 receptors at high doses.

Why is "D1 receptor mediated renal vasodilatation" not the answer?

Dopaminergic vasodilatation occurs at low doses.

Why is "Beta-2 mediated vasodilatation" not the answer?

Beta-2 vasodilatation is not the dominant effect of high-dose dopamine.

Why is "Beta-1 mediated increase in contractility alone" not the answer?

Beta-1 stimulation is the intermediate-dose effect and is overtaken by alpha effects.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Intravenous and inhalational agents: dopamine dose effects in Anaesthesia. At high rates vasoconstriction predominates, increasing systemic vascular resistance and blood pressure.

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 and inhalational agents: dopamine dose effects?

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.