Intravenous agents: etomidate adverse effects: 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 · Intravenous agents: etomidate adverse effects

Sample item

Which pair of side effects is characteristic of etomidate?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Pain on injection with myoclonus, and postoperative nausea and vomiting

Etomidate commonly causes pain on injection, involuntary myoclonic movements and a high rate of nausea and vomiting. Pre-treatment with an opioid or a benzodiazepine reduces myoclonus.

Option by option

  • A. Hepatotoxicity and bradycardia

    Hepatotoxicity is not a feature of etomidate.

  • B. Hypotension and bronchospasm

    Hypotension and bronchospasm are typical of thiopentone.

  • C. Pain on injection with myoclonus, and postoperative nausea and vomiting (correct)

    Correct. Myoclonus, injection pain and PONV are typical.

  • D. Hallucinations and hypertension

    Hallucinations and hypertension are typical of ketamine.

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, Pain on injection with myoclonus, and postoperative nausea and vomiting. Etomidate commonly causes pain on injection, involuntary myoclonic movements and a high rate of nausea and vomiting.

Why is "Hepatotoxicity and bradycardia" not the answer?

Hepatotoxicity is not a feature of etomidate.

Why is "Hypotension and bronchospasm" not the answer?

Hypotension and bronchospasm are typical of thiopentone.

Why is "Hallucinations and hypertension" not the answer?

Hallucinations and hypertension are typical of ketamine.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Intravenous agents: etomidate adverse effects in Anaesthesia. Pre-treatment with an opioid or a benzodiazepine reduces myoclonus.

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 Intravenous agents: etomidate adverse effects?

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.