Step 1: Pain on injection of an IV induction agent depends on its formulation and the irritant nature of the vehicle.
Step 2: Propofol is formulated as an oil-in-water emulsion (soybean oil, egg lecithin and glycerol). This lipid emulsion causes pain on injection, particularly when given into a small vein.
Step 3: The pain can be reduced by injecting into a large vein, pre-treating with lidocaine, or mixing lidocaine with propofol. Rarely, thrombophlebitis can occur.
Step 4: Methohexital, ketamine and etomidate cause less injection pain (etomidate can sting but propofol is classically the most painful), so propofol is the correct answer.