Airway complications: bronchospasm: 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 · Airway complications: bronchospasm

Sample item

During light anaesthesia a patient develops wheeze, rising airway pressure and a shark-fin capnograph. What is the first step?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Give 100% oxygen, deepen anaesthesia and give inhaled salbutamol

Intraoperative bronchospasm is managed by removing the trigger, 100% oxygen, deepening the anaesthetic (volatile or propofol) and giving bronchodilators such as salbutamol. Adrenaline is used in severe or anaphylactic cases.

Option by option

  • A. Give intravenous propranolol

    Propranolol is a non-selective beta blocker that worsens bronchospasm.

  • B. Give 100% oxygen, deepen anaesthesia and give inhaled salbutamol (correct)

    Correct. Deepening anaesthesia and bronchodilators are first line.

  • C. Give neostigmine

    Neostigmine can increase secretions and bronchospasm.

  • D. Extubate at once

    Extubating in bronchospasm risks complete airway 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 B, Give 100% oxygen, deepen anaesthesia and give inhaled salbutamol. Intraoperative bronchospasm is managed by removing the trigger, 100% oxygen, deepening the anaesthetic (volatile or propofol) and giving bronchodilators such as salbutamol.

Why is "Give intravenous propranolol" not the answer?

Propranolol is a non-selective beta blocker that worsens bronchospasm.

Why is "Give neostigmine" not the answer?

Neostigmine can increase secretions and bronchospasm.

Why is "Extubate at once" not the answer?

Extubating in bronchospasm risks complete airway loss.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Airway complications: bronchospasm in Anaesthesia. Adrenaline is used in severe or anaphylactic cases.

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 Airway complications: bronchospasm?

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.