Intravenous and inhalational agents: morphine and the biliary tract: 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: morphine and the biliary tract

Sample item

A man with gallstones receives intravenous morphine for pain, which worsens, and cholangiography shows delayed emptying of contrast into the duodenum. Which morphine effect is responsible?

ARelaxation of the gallbladder wallBSpasm of the sphincter of Oddi, raising biliary pressureCInhibition of bile acid secretionDHistamine-induced dilation of biliary vessels

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Spasm of the sphincter of Oddi, raising biliary pressure

Opioids cause spasm of the sphincter of Oddi and raise common bile duct pressure, which can worsen biliary colic and delay contrast emptying. The clinical relevance is debated, but the effect is a standard pharmacological teaching point.

Option by option

A. Relaxation of the gallbladder wall
Opioids do not relax the gallbladder wall; they tend to increase tone.
B. Spasm of the sphincter of Oddi, raising biliary pressure (correct)
Correct. Sphincter spasm raises pressure in the bile duct.
C. Inhibition of bile acid secretion
Opioids do not act mainly by inhibiting bile acid secretion.
D. Histamine-induced dilation of biliary vessels
Histamine release causes vasodilation but does not explain delayed emptying.

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.

Questions about this Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is B, Spasm of the sphincter of Oddi, raising biliary pressure. Opioids cause spasm of the sphincter of Oddi and raise common bile duct pressure, which can worsen biliary colic and delay contrast emptying.

Why is "Relaxation of the gallbladder wall" not the answer?

Opioids do not relax the gallbladder wall; they tend to increase tone.

Why is "Inhibition of bile acid secretion" not the answer?

Opioids do not act mainly by inhibiting bile acid secretion.

Why is "Histamine-induced dilation of biliary vessels" not the answer?

Histamine release causes vasodilation but does not explain delayed emptying.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Intravenous and inhalational agents: morphine and the biliary tract in Anaesthesia. The clinical relevance is debated, but the effect is a standard pharmacological teaching point.

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: morphine and the biliary tract?

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.