Critical care: volume versus pressure control: 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.

Try it

Anaesthesia · Critical care: volume versus pressure control

Sample item

In pressure-controlled ventilation, what happens to delivered tidal volume if lung compliance worsens?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. It falls

In pressure control, the inspiratory pressure is fixed and flow is decelerating, so tidal volume depends on compliance and resistance. Worsening compliance reduces the delivered volume and minute ventilation. In volume control, volume is fixed and pressure varies.

Option by option

  • A. It rises

    Volume rises when compliance improves.

  • B. It becomes zero in all cases

    Volume falls but does not necessarily reach zero.

  • C. It falls (correct)

    Correct. Volume varies with compliance in pressure control.

  • D. It remains constant

    Volume is variable in this mode.

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 C, It falls. In pressure control, the inspiratory pressure is fixed and flow is decelerating, so tidal volume depends on compliance and resistance.

Why is "It rises" not the answer?

Volume rises when compliance improves.

Why is "It becomes zero in all cases" not the answer?

Volume falls but does not necessarily reach zero.

Why is "It remains constant" not the answer?

Volume is variable in this mode.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Critical care: volume versus pressure control in Anaesthesia. Worsening compliance reduces the delivered volume and minute ventilation. In volume control, volume is fixed and pressure varies.

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 Critical care: volume versus pressure control?

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.