Special anaesthesia: hepatic disease: 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: hepatic disease

Sample item

Which inhalational agent is best avoided in a patient with liver disease?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Halothane

Halothane reduces hepatic blood flow and undergoes about 20% hepatic metabolism, so it carries a risk of hepatitis. Isoflurane, sevoflurane and desflurane preserve hepatic blood flow better.

Option by option

  • A. Halothane (correct)

    Correct. Halothane is avoided.

  • B. Sevoflurane

    Sevoflurane has little hepatic metabolism.

  • C. Desflurane

    Desflurane has minimal metabolism.

  • D. Isoflurane

    Isoflurane preserves hepatic blood flow.

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 A, Halothane. Halothane reduces hepatic blood flow and undergoes about 20% hepatic metabolism, so it carries a risk of hepatitis.

Why is "Sevoflurane" not the answer?

Sevoflurane has little hepatic metabolism.

Why is "Desflurane" not the answer?

Desflurane has minimal metabolism.

Why is "Isoflurane" not the answer?

Isoflurane preserves hepatic blood flow.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Special anaesthesia: hepatic disease in Anaesthesia. Isoflurane, sevoflurane and desflurane preserve hepatic blood flow better.

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: hepatic disease?

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.