Autonomic nervous system: pancuronium: practice question

A Pharmacology 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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Pharmacology · Autonomic nervous system: pancuronium

Sample item

After a non-depolarising neuromuscular blocker is given for surgery, an anaesthetist notes a rising heart rate and blood pressure. Which agent is most likely responsible?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Pancuronium

Pancuronium blocks cardiac muscarinic receptors and inhibits noradrenaline reuptake, causing tachycardia and a modest rise in blood pressure. Vecuronium and cisatracurium are cardiovascularly stable. Atracurium can release histamine.

Option by option

  • A. Pancuronium (correct)

    Correct. Vagolytic action produces tachycardia.

  • B. Atracurium

    Atracurium can release histamine, which causes hypotension rather than a rise in pressure.

  • C. Cisatracurium

    Cisatracurium is cardiovascularly stable and does not release histamine.

  • D. Vecuronium

    Vecuronium has almost no cardiovascular effect.

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 Pharmacology questions

Questions about this Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is A, Pancuronium. Pancuronium blocks cardiac muscarinic receptors and inhibits noradrenaline reuptake, causing tachycardia and a modest rise in blood pressure.

Why is "Atracurium" not the answer?

Atracurium can release histamine, which causes hypotension rather than a rise in pressure.

Why is "Cisatracurium" not the answer?

Cisatracurium is cardiovascularly stable and does not release histamine.

Why is "Vecuronium" not the answer?

Vecuronium has almost no cardiovascular effect.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Autonomic nervous system: pancuronium in Pharmacology. Vecuronium and cisatracurium are cardiovascularly stable. Atracurium can release histamine.

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 Autonomic nervous system: pancuronium?

Learn drugs as classes, then the exception in each class that an examiner would pick. Then use the flashcards and the other Pharmacology 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.