Intravenous agents: context-sensitive half-time: 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.

Try it

Anaesthesia · Intravenous agents: context-sensitive half-time

Sample item

What does the context-sensitive half-time describe?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Time for plasma concentration to fall by 50% after stopping an infusion of a given duration

The context-sensitive half-time is the time taken for the plasma concentration to fall to half after an infusion of a specific duration (the context). It rises with infusion time for most drugs, except remifentanil.

Option by option

  • A. Time to reach steady state

    Steady state occurs after about 4 to 5 half-lives.

  • B. Time for plasma concentration to fall by 50% after stopping an infusion of a given duration (correct)

    Correct. It depends on infusion duration.

  • C. Elimination half-life after a single bolus

    A single-bolus half-life is the elimination half-life.

  • D. Time for the drug effect to peak

    Peak effect time is the time to peak 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 Anaesthesia questions

Questions about this Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is B, Time for plasma concentration to fall by 50% after stopping an infusion of a given duration. The context-sensitive half-time is the time taken for the plasma concentration to fall to half after an infusion of a specific duration (the context).

Why is "Time to reach steady state" not the answer?

Steady state occurs after about 4 to 5 half-lives.

Why is "Elimination half-life after a single bolus" not the answer?

A single-bolus half-life is the elimination half-life.

Why is "Time for the drug effect to peak" not the answer?

Peak effect time is the time to peak effect.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Intravenous agents: context-sensitive half-time in Anaesthesia. It rises with infusion time for most drugs, except remifentanil.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 agents: context-sensitive half-time?

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.