$statement = $db->prepare("SELECT answer FROM question WHERE question = :question");
$statement->execute(array(':question' => $question));
$row = $statement->fetch();
$answer = $row['answer']; // this gives me a number

$statement = $db->prepare("SELECT * FROM question WHERE question = :question");
$statement->execute(array(':question' => $question));
$row = $statement->fetch();
$answer = $row['answer'];
$other = $row[$answer + 1];