Intravenous agents: dexmedetomidine: 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: dexmedetomidine

Sample item

Which feature makes dexmedetomidine useful for sedation of an awake fibreoptic intubation?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Sedation with minimal respiratory depression

Dexmedetomidine is a selective alpha-2 agonist acting on the locus coeruleus, giving cooperative sedation and analgesia with preserved respiratory drive. Side effects include bradycardia and hypotension.

Option by option

  • A. Potent neuromuscular blockade

    It has no neuromuscular blocking effect.

  • B. Sedation with minimal respiratory depression (correct)

    Correct. It sedates without significant respiratory depression.

  • C. Rapid awakening due to ester hydrolysis

    It is metabolised by the liver, not by ester hydrolysis.

  • D. Complete amnesia with bronchodilation

    Amnesia is modest and it is not a bronchodilator.

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 B, Sedation with minimal respiratory depression. Dexmedetomidine is a selective alpha-2 agonist acting on the locus coeruleus, giving cooperative sedation and analgesia with preserved respiratory drive.

Why is "Potent neuromuscular blockade" not the answer?

It has no neuromuscular blocking effect.

Why is "Rapid awakening due to ester hydrolysis" not the answer?

It is metabolised by the liver, not by ester hydrolysis.

Why is "Complete amnesia with bronchodilation" not the answer?

Amnesia is modest and it is not a bronchodilator.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Intravenous agents: dexmedetomidine in Anaesthesia. Side effects include bradycardia and hypotension.

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: dexmedetomidine?

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.