Regional anaesthesia and pain anatomy: curriculum recognition: 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 · Regional anaesthesia and pain anatomy: curriculum recognition

Sample item

While a 25-gauge needle is advanced at the L3-L4 interspace, clear fluid drips steadily from the hub. In which space is the needle tip?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Subarachnoid space

The subarachnoid space lies between the arachnoid and pia and contains CSF, so free flow of clear fluid confirms entry. The epidural space contains fat and veins, not fluid, and is identified by loss of resistance. The ligament offers firm resistance and yields nothing.

Option by option

  • A. Interspinous ligament

    The interspinous ligament is fibrous tissue that gives no fluid.

  • B. Subarachnoid space (correct)

    Correct. CSF fills the subarachnoid space.

  • C. Epidural space

    The epidural space holds fat and veins and gives loss of resistance, not free fluid.

  • D. Subdural space

    The subdural space is a potential space and does not give free CSF flow.

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, Subarachnoid space. The subarachnoid space lies between the arachnoid and pia and contains CSF, so free flow of clear fluid confirms entry.

Why is "Interspinous ligament" not the answer?

The interspinous ligament is fibrous tissue that gives no fluid.

Why is "Epidural space" not the answer?

The epidural space holds fat and veins and gives loss of resistance, not free fluid.

Why is "Subdural space" not the answer?

The subdural space is a potential space and does not give free CSF flow.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Regional anaesthesia and pain anatomy: curriculum recognition in Anaesthesia. The epidural space contains fat and veins, not fluid, and is identified by loss of resistance. The ligament offers firm resistance and yields nothing.

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 and pain anatomy: curriculum recognition?

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.