Special anaesthesia: thyroid surgery: 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 · Special anaesthesia: thyroid surgery

Sample item

A patient with thyrotoxicosis is being prepared for thyroidectomy. Which drug is useful for rapid control of the adrenergic symptoms?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Propranolol

Propranolol controls tachycardia and tremor and also reduces peripheral conversion of T4 to T3. Elective surgery is deferred until euthyroid, and atropine, ketamine and sympathomimetics are avoided.

Option by option

  • A. Atropine

    Atropine causes tachycardia.

  • B. Propranolol (correct)

    Correct. Beta blockade controls adrenergic symptoms.

  • C. Adrenaline

    Adrenaline worsens thyrotoxic symptoms.

  • D. Ketamine

    Ketamine increases heart rate.

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, Propranolol. Propranolol controls tachycardia and tremor and also reduces peripheral conversion of T4 to T3.

Why is "Atropine" not the answer?

Atropine causes tachycardia.

Why is "Adrenaline" not the answer?

Adrenaline worsens thyrotoxic symptoms.

Why is "Ketamine" not the answer?

Ketamine increases heart rate.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Special anaesthesia: thyroid surgery in Anaesthesia. Elective surgery is deferred until euthyroid, and atropine, ketamine and sympathomimetics are avoided.

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 Special anaesthesia: thyroid surgery?

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.