Critical care: central venous catheter: 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 · Critical care: central venous catheter

Sample item

Where should the tip of a central venous catheter placed via the internal jugular vein lie?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. In the lower superior vena cava at or near the cavo-atrial junction

The tip should lie in the lower SVC above the pericardial reflection, to avoid arrhythmia and perforation. A chest X-ray confirms position, and real-time ultrasound guidance reduces puncture complications.

Option by option

  • A. In the azygos vein

    The azygos vein is a malposition.

  • B. In the pulmonary artery

    The pulmonary artery is for a pulmonary artery catheter.

  • C. In the lower superior vena cava at or near the cavo-atrial junction (correct)

    Correct. The cavo-atrial junction is ideal.

  • D. In the right ventricle

    The right ventricle risks arrhythmia and perforation.

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 C, In the lower superior vena cava at or near the cavo-atrial junction. The tip should lie in the lower SVC above the pericardial reflection, to avoid arrhythmia and perforation.

Why is "In the azygos vein" not the answer?

The azygos vein is a malposition.

Why is "In the pulmonary artery" not the answer?

The pulmonary artery is for a pulmonary artery catheter.

Why is "In the right ventricle" not the answer?

The right ventricle risks arrhythmia and perforation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Critical care: central venous catheter in Anaesthesia. A chest X-ray confirms position, and real-time ultrasound guidance reduces puncture complications.

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: central venous catheter?

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.