Inhalational agents: brain 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 · Inhalational agents: brain effects

Sample item

Which volatile anaesthetic effect is relevant in a patient with raised intracranial pressure?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Cerebral vasodilation raises cerebral blood flow and ICP in a dose-dependent manner

Volatile agents reduce cerebral metabolic rate but dilate cerebral vessels directly, so blood volume and ICP can rise, especially above 1 MAC. Total intravenous anaesthesia with propofol is often preferred in raised ICP.

Option by option

  • A. Decrease in cerebral metabolic rate with a fall in blood flow at all doses

    The metabolic fall is outweighed by vasodilation, so flow rises.

  • B. Cerebral vasodilation raises cerebral blood flow and ICP in a dose-dependent manner (correct)

    Correct. Direct vasodilation can raise ICP.

  • C. Cerebral vasoconstriction at all doses

    Volatile agents dilate, not constrict.

  • D. No effect on cerebral blood flow

    They do alter flow.

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, Cerebral vasodilation raises cerebral blood flow and ICP in a dose-dependent manner. Volatile agents reduce cerebral metabolic rate but dilate cerebral vessels directly, so blood volume and ICP can rise, especially above 1 MAC.

Why is "Decrease in cerebral metabolic rate with a fall in blood flow at all…" not the answer?

The metabolic fall is outweighed by vasodilation, so flow rises.

Why is "Cerebral vasoconstriction at all doses" not the answer?

Volatile agents dilate, not constrict.

Why is "No effect on cerebral blood flow" not the answer?

They do alter flow.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Inhalational agents: brain effects in Anaesthesia. Total intravenous anaesthesia with propofol is often preferred in raised ICP.

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 Inhalational agents: brain 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.