Regional anaesthesia: 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 · Regional anaesthesia

Sample item

What is the definitive treatment for persistent post-dural puncture headache that does not respond to conservative measures?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Epidural blood patch

Post-dural puncture headache is worse upright and eases on lying flat. Initial treatment is rest, fluids, analgesia and caffeine. An epidural blood patch seals the leak when these fail.

Option by option

  • A. Lumbar puncture

    Another lumbar puncture would worsen the leak.

  • B. Epidural blood patch (correct)

    Correct.

  • C. Prolonged fasting

    Fasting does not help.

  • D. Intravenous opioids

    Opioids do not treat the cause.

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.

More Anaesthesia questions

Questions about this Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is B, Epidural blood patch. Post-dural puncture headache is worse upright and eases on lying flat.

Why is "Lumbar puncture" not the answer?

Another lumbar puncture would worsen the leak.

Why is "Prolonged fasting" not the answer?

Fasting does not help.

Why is "Intravenous opioids" not the answer?

Opioids do not treat the cause.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Regional anaesthesia in Anaesthesia. Initial treatment is rest, fluids, analgesia and caffeine. An epidural blood patch seals the leak when these fail.

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 Regional anaesthesia?

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.