Cardiology: pharmacological stress testing: practice question

A General Medicine 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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General Medicine · Cardiology: pharmacological stress testing

Sample item

A 70-year-old man who cannot exercise because of severe arthritis has a myocardial perfusion scan with dipyridamole. During the test he develops wheeze and chest discomfort. Which drug should be given to reverse these effects?

ANaloxoneBAminophyllineCEsmololDAtropine

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Aminophylline

Dipyridamole blocks adenosine reuptake, so adenosine accumulates and causes vasodilation, bronchospasm and sometimes chest pain. Aminophylline antagonises adenosine receptors and reverses these effects, and caffeine must be avoided before the test for the same reason.

Option by option

A. Naloxone
Naloxone reverses opioid effects and has no action on adenosine.
B. Aminophylline (correct)
Correct. Aminophylline is an adenosine receptor antagonist and reverses the effects.
C. Esmolol
Esmolol is used to reverse dobutamine stress, not adenosine-mediated effects.
D. Atropine
Atropine reverses muscarinic effects such as vagal bradycardia, not adenosine effects.

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 General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is B, Aminophylline. Dipyridamole blocks adenosine reuptake, so adenosine accumulates and causes vasodilation, bronchospasm and sometimes chest pain.

Why is "Naloxone" not the answer?

Naloxone reverses opioid effects and has no action on adenosine.

Why is "Esmolol" not the answer?

Esmolol is used to reverse dobutamine stress, not adenosine-mediated effects.

Why is "Atropine" not the answer?

Atropine reverses muscarinic effects such as vagal bradycardia, not adenosine effects.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cardiology: pharmacological stress testing in General Medicine. Aminophylline antagonises adenosine receptors and reverses these effects, and caffeine must be avoided before the test for the same reason.

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 Cardiology: pharmacological stress testing?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine 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.