Antiepileptics: practice question

A Pharmacology 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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Pharmacology · Antiepileptics

Sample item

What is the preferred first-line drug for a patient in generalised convulsive status epilepticus?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Intravenous lorazepam

A benzodiazepine, usually IV lorazepam, is given first because it stops seizures quickly. A second-line agent such as phenytoin, valproate or levetiracetam follows if seizures continue.

Option by option

  • A. Intravenous lorazepam (correct)

    Correct.

  • B. Intravenous phenytoin

    Phenytoin is a second-line agent and acts slowly to load.

  • C. Intravenous paracetamol

    Paracetamol has no anticonvulsant role.

  • D. Oral carbamazepine

    Oral drugs are not suitable for a convulsing patient.

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 Pharmacology questions

Questions about this Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is A, Intravenous lorazepam. A benzodiazepine, usually IV lorazepam, is given first because it stops seizures quickly.

Why is "Intravenous phenytoin" not the answer?

Phenytoin is a second-line agent and acts slowly to load.

Why is "Intravenous paracetamol" not the answer?

Paracetamol has no anticonvulsant role.

Why is "Oral carbamazepine" not the answer?

Oral drugs are not suitable for a convulsing patient.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antiepileptics in Pharmacology. A second-line agent such as phenytoin, valproate or levetiracetam follows if seizures continue.

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 Antiepileptics?

Learn drugs as classes, then the exception in each class that an examiner would pick. Then use the flashcards and the other Pharmacology 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.