Preoperative fasting: 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 · Preoperative fasting

Sample item

Why is preoperative fasting recommended before general anaesthesia?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. To reduce risk of pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents

Anaesthetic induction reduces protective airway reflexes, so gastric contents can be aspirated. Fasting reduces gastric volume and acidity, although urgent surgery may require aspiration precautions instead.

Option by option

  • A. To avoid local-anaesthetic toxicity

    Local-anaesthetic systemic toxicity is unrelated to gastric contents.

  • B. To prevent malignant hyperthermia

    Malignant hyperthermia is genetically determined and triggered by certain drugs.

  • C. To ensure neuromuscular blockade

    Fasting does not produce paralysis.

  • D. To reduce risk of pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents (correct)

    Correct. The goal is lowering aspiration risk.

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 D, To reduce risk of pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents. Anaesthetic induction reduces protective airway reflexes, so gastric contents can be aspirated.

Why is "To avoid local-anaesthetic toxicity" not the answer?

Local-anaesthetic systemic toxicity is unrelated to gastric contents.

Why is "To prevent malignant hyperthermia" not the answer?

Malignant hyperthermia is genetically determined and triggered by certain drugs.

Why is "To ensure neuromuscular blockade" not the answer?

Fasting does not produce paralysis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Preoperative fasting in Anaesthesia. Fasting reduces gastric volume and acidity, although urgent surgery may require aspiration precautions instead.

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 Preoperative fasting?

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.