Inhalational agents: bronchospasm and asthma: 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: bronchospasm and asthma

Sample item

Which volatile agent is considered best for a patient with severe asthma undergoing surgery?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Sevoflurane

Sevoflurane and halothane relax bronchial smooth muscle and are not irritant to the airway. Desflurane is pungent and can provoke cough and bronchospasm.

Option by option

  • A. Ether in high concentration

    Ether is irritant and not used now.

  • B. Sevoflurane (correct)

    Correct. Sevoflurane is a bronchodilator and non-pungent.

  • C. Nitrous oxide alone

    Nitrous oxide alone does not give adequate anaesthesia.

  • D. Desflurane

    Desflurane irritates the airway.

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, Sevoflurane. Sevoflurane and halothane relax bronchial smooth muscle and are not irritant to the airway.

Why is "Ether in high concentration" not the answer?

Ether is irritant and not used now.

Why is "Nitrous oxide alone" not the answer?

Nitrous oxide alone does not give adequate anaesthesia.

Why is "Desflurane" not the answer?

Desflurane irritates the airway.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Inhalational agents: bronchospasm and asthma in Anaesthesia. Desflurane is pungent and can provoke cough and bronchospasm.

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: bronchospasm and asthma?

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.