Obstetric anaesthesia: volatile agents and uterine tone: 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 · Obstetric anaesthesia: volatile agents and uterine tone

Sample item

At caesarean section under general anaesthesia, why are volatile agents kept at 0.5 MAC or below after delivery?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Higher concentrations relax the uterus and increase blood loss

Halogenated volatile agents cause dose-dependent uterine relaxation that opposes the action of oxytocic drugs and can promote atony and haemorrhage. After delivery they are kept at low concentration, with nitrous oxide or intravenous agents added to avoid awareness. Nitrous oxide has little effect on uterine tone.

Option by option

  • A. They produce neonatal tetany

    Neonatal tetany is not an effect of volatile agents.

  • B. They cause maternal bradycardia

    Bradycardia is not the main concern.

  • C. Higher concentrations relax the uterus and increase blood loss (correct)

    Correct. High concentrations relax the uterus and increase bleeding.

  • D. They worsen oxytocin receptor density

    The effect is a direct relaxation of myometrium rather than receptor loss.

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.

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Questions about this Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is C, Higher concentrations relax the uterus and increase blood loss. Halogenated volatile agents cause dose-dependent uterine relaxation that opposes the action of oxytocic drugs and can promote atony and haemorrhage.

Why is "They produce neonatal tetany" not the answer?

Neonatal tetany is not an effect of volatile agents.

Why is "They cause maternal bradycardia" not the answer?

Bradycardia is not the main concern.

Why is "They worsen oxytocin receptor density" not the answer?

The effect is a direct relaxation of myometrium rather than receptor loss.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Obstetric anaesthesia: volatile agents and uterine tone in Anaesthesia. After delivery they are kept at low concentration, with nitrous oxide or intravenous agents added to avoid awareness. Nitrous oxide has little effect on uterine tone.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Obstetric anaesthesia: volatile agents and uterine tone?

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.