Intravenous and inhalational agents: maintenance agent in malignant hyperthermia susceptibility: 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: maintenance agent in malignant hyperthermia susceptibility

Sample item

A patient whose sibling had malignant hyperthermia is scheduled for knee surgery. Which is a safe choice for maintenance of anaesthesia?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Propofol infusion

All potent volatile agents and suxamethonium trigger malignant hyperthermia in susceptible people. Propofol, nitrous oxide, ketamine, etomidate, benzodiazepines, opioids and non-depolarising relaxants are non-triggering, and the machine is prepared by flushing and changing circuits and absorbent.

Option by option

  • A. Desflurane

    Desflurane is a triggering volatile agent.

  • B. Isoflurane

    Isoflurane is a triggering volatile agent.

  • C. Sevoflurane

    Sevoflurane is a triggering volatile agent.

  • D. Propofol infusion (correct)

    Correct. Propofol is non-triggering, so total intravenous anaesthesia is a standard choice.

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 D, Propofol infusion. All potent volatile agents and suxamethonium trigger malignant hyperthermia in susceptible people.

Why is "Desflurane" not the answer?

Desflurane is a triggering volatile agent.

Why is "Isoflurane" not the answer?

Isoflurane is a triggering volatile agent.

Why is "Sevoflurane" not the answer?

Sevoflurane is a triggering volatile agent.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Intravenous and inhalational agents: maintenance agent in malignant hyperthermia susceptibility in Anaesthesia. Propofol, nitrous oxide, ketamine, etomidate, benzodiazepines, opioids and non-depolarising relaxants are non-triggering, and the machine is prepared by flushing and changing circuits and absorbent.

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: maintenance agent in malignant hyperthermia susceptibility?

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.