Oral cavity: radiation xerostomia: practice question

A ENT 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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ENT · Oral cavity: radiation xerostomia

Sample item

A 58-year-old man who received radiotherapy to the neck for oropharyngeal cancer complains of persistent dry mouth. Which drug stimulates residual salivary function?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Pilocarpine

Pilocarpine is a muscarinic agonist that stimulates residual gland function and relieves radiation-induced xerostomia. Atropine and tricyclics worsen dryness. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy and amifostine reduce the damage before it occurs.

Option by option

  • A. Atropine

    Atropine blocks muscarinic receptors and dries secretions.

  • B. Furosemide

    Furosemide does not stimulate salivation.

  • C. Amitriptyline

    Amitriptyline is anticholinergic and dries the mouth.

  • D. Pilocarpine (correct)

    Correct. A muscarinic agonist increases salivation.

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 ENT questions

Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is D, Pilocarpine. Pilocarpine is a muscarinic agonist that stimulates residual gland function and relieves radiation-induced xerostomia.

Why is "Atropine" not the answer?

Atropine blocks muscarinic receptors and dries secretions.

Why is "Furosemide" not the answer?

Furosemide does not stimulate salivation.

Why is "Amitriptyline" not the answer?

Amitriptyline is anticholinergic and dries the mouth.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral cavity: radiation xerostomia in ENT. Atropine and tricyclics worsen dryness. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy and amifostine reduce the damage before it occurs.

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 Oral cavity: radiation xerostomia?

Learn tuning fork results and audiogram patterns by sketching them. Then use the flashcards and the other ENT 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.