Premedication: anticholinergics: 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 · Premedication: anticholinergics

Sample item

Which anticholinergic is preferred as an antisialogogue when central effects such as confusion must be avoided?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Glycopyrrolate

Glycopyrrolate is a quaternary ammonium compound and does not cross the blood-brain barrier, so it gives a good antisialogogue effect without central side effects. Atropine and hyoscine are tertiary amines and cross into the brain.

Option by option

  • A. Hyoscine

    Hyoscine causes sedation and amnesia as it crosses the blood-brain barrier.

  • B. Dicyclomine

    Dicyclomine is not used as a premedicant antisialogogue.

  • C. Glycopyrrolate (correct)

    Correct. It is a quaternary amine that does not enter the CNS.

  • D. Atropine

    Atropine is a tertiary amine and may cause central effects.

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 C, Glycopyrrolate. Glycopyrrolate is a quaternary ammonium compound and does not cross the blood-brain barrier, so it gives a good antisialogogue effect without central side effects.

Why is "Hyoscine" not the answer?

Hyoscine causes sedation and amnesia as it crosses the blood-brain barrier.

Why is "Dicyclomine" not the answer?

Dicyclomine is not used as a premedicant antisialogogue.

Why is "Atropine" not the answer?

Atropine is a tertiary amine and may cause central effects.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Premedication: anticholinergics in Anaesthesia. Atropine and hyoscine are tertiary amines and cross into the brain.

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 Premedication: anticholinergics?

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.