Regional anaesthesia: TAP block: 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 · Regional anaesthesia: TAP block

Sample item

A transversus abdominis plane block is deposited between which two muscle layers?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Internal oblique and transversus abdominis

Local anaesthetic spreads in this fascial plane and blocks the thoracolumbar nerves T6 to L1 running there. It gives analgesia of the anterior abdominal wall in lower abdominal surgery but not visceral pain.

Option by option

  • A. Psoas and quadratus lumborum

    That plane is relevant to a quadratus lumborum block.

  • B. Internal oblique and transversus abdominis (correct)

    Correct. The plane lies between internal oblique and transversus abdominis.

  • C. Rectus abdominis and peritoneum

    The peritoneum lies deep to the transversalis fascia.

  • D. External oblique and rectus abdominis

    That plane is relevant to a rectus sheath block.

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 B, Internal oblique and transversus abdominis. Local anaesthetic spreads in this fascial plane and blocks the thoracolumbar nerves T6 to L1 running there.

Why is "Psoas and quadratus lumborum" not the answer?

That plane is relevant to a quadratus lumborum block.

Why is "Rectus abdominis and peritoneum" not the answer?

The peritoneum lies deep to the transversalis fascia.

Why is "External oblique and rectus abdominis" not the answer?

That plane is relevant to a rectus sheath block.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Regional anaesthesia: TAP block in Anaesthesia. It gives analgesia of the anterior abdominal wall in lower abdominal surgery but not visceral pain.

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 Regional anaesthesia: TAP block?

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.