Postpartum haemorrhage and emergencies: carboprost adverse effects: 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 · Postpartum haemorrhage and emergencies: carboprost adverse effects

Sample item

Which group of adverse effects is typical of carboprost given for atonic postpartum haemorrhage?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and flushing

Carboprost is a prostaglandin F2 alpha analogue. It stimulates smooth muscle in the gut and bronchi, so vomiting, diarrhoea, flushing, transient fever and bronchospasm are typical. It is avoided in asthma.

Option by option

  • A. Hypotension, reflex tachycardia and water retention

    Hypotension with tachycardia after a bolus is the oxytocin pattern.

  • B. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and flushing (correct)

    Correct. Gastrointestinal smooth muscle stimulation and flushing characterise this prostaglandin.

  • C. Hypertension, headache and peripheral vasoconstriction

    Hypertension with vasoconstriction describes the ergot alkaloids.

  • D. Tremor, tachycardia and hypokalaemia

    Tremor, tachycardia and hypokalaemia are beta-agonist effects such as with terbutaline.

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, Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and flushing. Carboprost is a prostaglandin F2 alpha analogue.

Why is "Hypotension, reflex tachycardia and water retention" not the answer?

Hypotension with tachycardia after a bolus is the oxytocin pattern.

Why is "Hypertension, headache and peripheral vasoconstriction" not the answer?

Hypertension with vasoconstriction describes the ergot alkaloids.

Why is "Tremor, tachycardia and hypokalaemia" not the answer?

Tremor, tachycardia and hypokalaemia are beta-agonist effects such as with terbutaline.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Postpartum haemorrhage and emergencies: carboprost adverse effects in OBG. It stimulates smooth muscle in the gut and bronchi, so vomiting, diarrhoea, flushing, transient fever and bronchospasm are typical. It is avoided in asthma.

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 Postpartum haemorrhage and emergencies: carboprost adverse effects?

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.