Preoperative assessment: respiratory infection in a child: 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 assessment: respiratory infection in a child

Sample item

A 4-year-old has had a runny nose, cough and low-grade fever for two days and is listed for elective squint surgery. Which anaesthetic complications are more likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Laryngospasm, bronchospasm and desaturation from airway hyperreactivity

A recent upper respiratory infection makes the airway hyperreactive for several weeks, increasing perioperative respiratory adverse events such as laryngospasm, bronchospasm, breath holding and desaturation. The decision to proceed depends on severity, the airway to be used and the urgency of surgery.

Option by option

  • A. Laryngospasm, bronchospasm and desaturation from airway hyperreactivity (correct)

    Correct. Airway hyperreactivity after a respiratory infection increases laryngospasm and bronchospasm.

  • B. Delayed emergence from slowed elimination of volatile agents

    A cold does not slow the elimination of volatile agents.

  • C. Malignant hyperthermia and masseter spasm

    Malignant hyperthermia is a genetic disorder, not a consequence of an infection.

  • D. Anaphylaxis to induction agents

    Infection does not increase the likelihood of anaphylaxis to induction agents.

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 A, Laryngospasm, bronchospasm and desaturation from airway hyperreactivity. A recent upper respiratory infection makes the airway hyperreactive for several weeks, increasing perioperative respiratory adverse events such as laryngospasm, bronchospasm, breath holding and desaturation.

Why is "Delayed emergence from slowed elimination of volatile agents" not the answer?

A cold does not slow the elimination of volatile agents.

Why is "Malignant hyperthermia and masseter spasm" not the answer?

Malignant hyperthermia is a genetic disorder, not a consequence of an infection.

Why is "Anaphylaxis to induction agents" not the answer?

Infection does not increase the likelihood of anaphylaxis to induction agents.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Preoperative assessment: respiratory infection in a child in Anaesthesia. The decision to proceed depends on severity, the airway to be used and the urgency of surgery.

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 assessment: respiratory infection in a child?

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.