Monitoring and anaesthesia workstation: 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 · Monitoring and anaesthesia workstation: curriculum recognition

Sample item

During volume-controlled ventilation of an anaesthetised patient, the low expired minute volume alarm sounds, the peak inspiratory pressure is lower than before and the chest is rising less. What is the most likely cause?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Leak in the breathing circuit or around the tube cuff

With a fixed set breath, a leak lets part of the delivered volume escape, so the expired volume and the peak pressure both fall. Obstruction, bronchospasm and pneumothorax all raise the airway pressure instead. Always check the connections, cuff and circuit first.

Option by option

  • A. Tension pneumothorax

    Tension pneumothorax lowers compliance and raises pressure, usually with haemodynamic collapse.

  • B. Leak in the breathing circuit or around the tube cuff (correct)

    Correct. Gas escaping through a leak lowers both expired volume and peak pressure.

  • C. Kinking of the tracheal tube

    A kinked tube obstructs flow and raises the peak pressure.

  • D. Bronchospasm

    Bronchospasm increases airway resistance and raises the peak pressure.

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, Leak in the breathing circuit or around the tube cuff. With a fixed set breath, a leak lets part of the delivered volume escape, so the expired volume and the peak pressure both fall.

Why is "Tension pneumothorax" not the answer?

Tension pneumothorax lowers compliance and raises pressure, usually with haemodynamic collapse.

Why is "Kinking of the tracheal tube" not the answer?

A kinked tube obstructs flow and raises the peak pressure.

Why is "Bronchospasm" not the answer?

Bronchospasm increases airway resistance and raises the peak pressure.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Monitoring and anaesthesia workstation: curriculum recognition in Anaesthesia. Obstruction, bronchospasm and pneumothorax all raise the airway pressure instead. Always check the connections, cuff and circuit first.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Monitoring and anaesthesia workstation: 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.