Which agent is a hypnotic with no analgesic properties?

Which agent is a hypnotic with no analgesic properties?

• A. Ketamine
• B. Propofol
• C. Etomidate
• D. Midazolam

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is understanding the difference between a hypnotic that induces unconsciousness and an analgesic that relieves pain. Propofol is a rapid-onset hypnotic used to induce and maintain anesthesia or deep sedation. It causes loss of consciousness but does not provide analgesia, so if pain control is needed, an analgesic must be given separately. Ketamine, on the other hand, provides analgesia in addition to its hypnotic/dissociative effects, so it isn’t a pure hypnotic without analgesia. Etomidate also produces hypnosis without analgesia, but in the common comparison for a hypnotic with no analgesic properties, propofol is the classic example. Remember the key point: propofol = hypnosis without pain relief; analgesia must be added separately.

The main idea here is understanding the difference between a hypnotic that induces unconsciousness and an analgesic that relieves pain. Propofol is a rapid-onset hypnotic used to induce and maintain anesthesia or deep sedation. It causes loss of consciousness but does not provide analgesia, so if pain control is needed, an analgesic must be given separately. Ketamine, on the other hand, provides analgesia in addition to its hypnotic/dissociative effects, so it isn’t a pure hypnotic without analgesia. Etomidate also produces hypnosis without analgesia, but in the common comparison for a hypnotic with no analgesic properties, propofol is the classic example. Remember the key point: propofol = hypnosis without pain relief; analgesia must be added separately.