Induction agents: ketamine: 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 · Induction agents: ketamine

Sample item

Which property makes ketamine useful for induction in a hypotensive trauma patient?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. It tends to increase sympathetic tone and blood pressure

Ketamine is a dissociative NMDA antagonist with analgesic effects and usually increases heart rate and blood pressure through sympathetic stimulation. This response may be blunted in catecholamine-depleted states.

Option by option

  • A. It has no analgesic action

    Ketamine provides important analgesia.

  • B. It causes profound vasodilation

    Profound vasodilation is more typical of propofol.

  • C. It tends to increase sympathetic tone and blood pressure (correct)

    Correct. Sympathomimetic haemodynamics can support blood pressure.

  • D. It reliably lowers intracranial pressure in all settings

    Effects on intracranial pressure are context dependent and not the key reason here.

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 C, It tends to increase sympathetic tone and blood pressure. Ketamine is a dissociative NMDA antagonist with analgesic effects and usually increases heart rate and blood pressure through sympathetic stimulation.

Why is "It has no analgesic action" not the answer?

Ketamine provides important analgesia.

Why is "It causes profound vasodilation" not the answer?

Profound vasodilation is more typical of propofol.

Why is "It reliably lowers intracranial pressure in all settings" not the answer?

Effects on intracranial pressure are context dependent and not the key reason here.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Induction agents: ketamine in Anaesthesia. This response may be blunted in catecholamine-depleted states.

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 Induction agents: ketamine?

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.