Cardiovascular: dronedarone: 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 · Cardiovascular: dronedarone

Sample item

For which patient is dronedarone contraindicated?

AA patient with mild obesityBA patient with hypertensionCA patient with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and normal ventricular functionDA patient with permanent atrial fibrillation or recently decompensated heart failure

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. A patient with permanent atrial fibrillation or recently decompensated heart failure

Dronedarone increases mortality in permanent atrial fibrillation and in symptomatic or recently decompensated heart failure, so it is contraindicated there. It is a non-iodinated amiodarone analogue used to maintain sinus rhythm in selected paroxysmal or persistent AF.

Option by option

A. A patient with mild obesity
Obesity alone is not a contraindication.
B. A patient with hypertension
Hypertension is not a contraindication.
C. A patient with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and normal ventricular function
Paroxysmal AF with normal function is the approved setting.
D. A patient with permanent atrial fibrillation or recently decompensated heart failure (correct)
Correct. Mortality risk is raised in permanent AF and heart failure.

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.

Questions about this Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is D, A patient with permanent atrial fibrillation or recently decompensated heart failure. Dronedarone increases mortality in permanent atrial fibrillation and in symptomatic or recently decompensated heart failure, so it is contraindicated there.

Why is "A patient with mild obesity" not the answer?

Obesity alone is not a contraindication.

Why is "A patient with hypertension" not the answer?

Hypertension is not a contraindication.

Why is "A patient with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and normal ventricular…" not the answer?

Paroxysmal AF with normal function is the approved setting.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cardiovascular: dronedarone in Pharmacology. It is a non-iodinated amiodarone analogue used to maintain sinus rhythm in selected paroxysmal or persistent AF.

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 Cardiovascular: dronedarone?

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.