Complications of pregnancy: indomethacin as tocolytic: practice question

A OBG 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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OBG · Complications of pregnancy: indomethacin as tocolytic

Sample item

A drug used for short-term tocolysis before 32 weeks can cause oligohydramnios and premature constriction of the fetal ductus arteriosus. Which is it?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Indomethacin

Indomethacin is a prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor. Because prostaglandins keep the ductus open and support fetal urine output, it can constrict the ductus and reduce amniotic fluid, so use is limited to under 32 weeks and a short course.

Option by option

  • A. Atosiban

    Atosiban is an oxytocin receptor antagonist with few fetal effects.

  • B. Indomethacin (correct)

    Correct. Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis explains both effects.

  • C. Nifedipine

    Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker and does not cause ductal constriction.

  • D. Terbutaline

    Terbutaline causes maternal tachycardia and metabolic effects, not ductal closure.

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 OBG questions

Questions about this OBG question

What is the answer to this OBG question?

The best answer is B, Indomethacin. Indomethacin is a prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor.

Why is "Atosiban" not the answer?

Atosiban is an oxytocin receptor antagonist with few fetal effects.

Why is "Nifedipine" not the answer?

Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker and does not cause ductal constriction.

Why is "Terbutaline" not the answer?

Terbutaline causes maternal tachycardia and metabolic effects, not ductal closure.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Complications of pregnancy: indomethacin as tocolytic in OBG. Because prostaglandins keep the ductus open and support fetal urine output, it can constrict the ductus and reduce amniotic fluid, so use is limited to under 32 weeks and a short course.

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 Complications of pregnancy: indomethacin as tocolytic?

Learn management algorithms as steps: PPH, eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy. Then use the flashcards and the other OBG 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.