Inhalational agents: factors altering MAC: 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 · Inhalational agents: factors altering MAC

Sample item

Which of the following increases MAC?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Hyperthermia

MAC increases with hyperthermia, chronic alcohol use, young age and hypernatraemia. It falls with hypothermia, pregnancy, old age, opioids, sedatives and alpha-2 agonists.

Option by option

  • A. Concurrent opioid use

    Opioids reduce MAC.

  • B. Hyperthermia (correct)

    Correct. Hyperthermia raises MAC.

  • C. Pregnancy

    Pregnancy lowers MAC.

  • D. Old age

    MAC falls about 6% per decade after 40.

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 B, Hyperthermia. MAC increases with hyperthermia, chronic alcohol use, young age and hypernatraemia.

Why is "Concurrent opioid use" not the answer?

Opioids reduce MAC.

Why is "Pregnancy" not the answer?

Pregnancy lowers MAC.

Why is "Old age" not the answer?

MAC falls about 6% per decade after 40.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Inhalational agents: factors altering MAC in Anaesthesia. It falls with hypothermia, pregnancy, old age, opioids, sedatives and alpha-2 agonists.

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 Inhalational agents: factors altering MAC?

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.