UPSC-CMS 2023 - Pharmacology PYQs Practice Questions

Q: Which one of the following drugs is a long acting local anaesthetic agent ?

Bupivacaine. ***Bupivacaine***- **Bupivacaine** is the **classic and most widely recognized long-acting amide local anesthetic** with a duration of action typically ranging from **2 to 8 hours** depending on the concentration and site of administration. [1]- Its prolonged action is due to its high **lipid solubility** and **protein binding** (95%), allowing it to penetrate nerves effectively and stay bound within tissues for extended periods. [1]- It is the **prototypical long-acting local anesthetic** and has been the gold standard for decades in regional anesthesia and pain management. [1]*Lignocaine*- **Lignocaine** (also known as **lidocaine**) is an **intermediate-acting amide local anesthetic**, with a duration of action of **1-2 hours** (much shorter than bupivacaine). [1]- It is frequently used for **infiltration anesthesia**, **nerve blocks**, and **topical anesthesia** but is **not considered long-acting**. *Prilocaine*- **Prilocaine** is an **intermediate-acting amide local anesthetic**, similar to lignocaine, with a duration of action of approximately **1-2 hours**. [1]- A notable side effect of prilocaine, especially at high doses, is the potential for **methemoglobinemia** due to its metabolite o-toluidine. [1]*Ropivacaine*- **Ropivacaine** is a **newer long-acting amide local anesthetic** (duration 2-6 hours) introduced in the 1990s as an alternative to bupivacaine. [1]- While it has a **similar duration of action**, it is distinguished by its **lower cardiotoxicity** and **greater motor-sensory separation** compared to bupivacaine. [1]- However, **bupivacaine remains the classic textbook example** of a long-acting local anesthetic and is the expected answer in most examination contexts. [1]- Ropivacaine is often preferred in obstetric and pediatric anesthesia due to its better safety profile. [Practice more Pharmacology PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: Which of the following are correct regarding Blood substitutes ? 1. They are biomimetic. 2. They are extensively used in war injuries. 3. They are made of perfluorocarbon emulsions. 4. They are haemoglobin-based. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1, 3 and 4. ***1, 3 and 4*** - **Blood substitutes are biomimetic** - they are artificially engineered to mimic the oxygen-carrying capacity of natural red blood cells. - Blood substitutes fall into **two main categories**: perfluorocarbon (PFC) emulsions and hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs). Statement 3 and 4 correctly identify these two major types. - **PFC emulsions** can dissolve large amounts of oxygen and carbon dioxide, transporting gases to tissues through physical dissolution. - **Hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers** use modified hemoglobin (human, bovine, or recombinant) to bind and transport oxygen similar to natural red blood cells. *1, 2 and 3* - While statements 1 and 3 are correct, **statement 2 is incorrect**. - Blood substitutes are **NOT extensively used in war injuries** - most remain experimental or have very limited clinical approval. - Despite theoretical advantages (extended shelf life, no cross-matching needed), practical deployment has been minimal due to safety concerns and regulatory limitations. *2, 3 and 4* - This option incorrectly includes statement 2 about extensive use in war injuries, which is **factually inaccurate**. - Most blood substitutes have failed to gain widespread approval due to adverse effects including vasoconstriction, hypertension, and increased mortality in some trials. - It also incorrectly excludes statement 1 - the **biomimetic nature** is a fundamental defining characteristic of blood substitutes. *1 and 3 only* - While statements 1 and 3 are correct, this option is **incomplete**. - It fails to recognize that blood substitutes include **both perfluorocarbon-based AND hemoglobin-based** types - the two major categories in development. - Statement 4 about hemoglobin-based carriers is equally important and correct. [Practice more Pharmacology PYQs on OnCourse]

Question 1

Which one of the following drugs is a long acting local anaesthetic agent ?

Accepted Answer

Bupivacaine

Answer

Lignocaine

Answer

Prilocaine

Answer

Ropivacaine

Question 2

Which of the following are correct regarding Blood substitutes ?

1. They are biomimetic.
2. They are extensively used in war injuries.
3. They are made of perfluorocarbon emulsions.
4. They are haemoglobin-based.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Accepted Answer

1, 3 and 4

Answer

2, 3 and 4

Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

1, 2 and 3

UPSC-CMS 2023 — Pharmacology