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 controlled ventilation, the high airway pressure alarm sounds. The peak inspiratory pressure has risen abruptly while the plateau pressure is essentially unchanged. Which is the most likely cause?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Raised airway resistance, as in bronchospasm or a kinked tube

A rise in peak pressure with a stable plateau pressure points to a resistive problem in the airways or tube, such as bronchospasm, secretions or kinking. A compliance problem raises peak and plateau pressures together. Disconnection and cuff leak lower the pressure.

Option by option

  • A. Reduced lung compliance, as in pulmonary oedema

    Falling compliance would raise the plateau pressure along with the peak.

  • B. Leak around the tracheal tube cuff

    A cuff leak loses volume and lowers the pressure.

  • C. Raised airway resistance, as in bronchospasm or a kinked tube (correct)

    Correct. The peak-to-plateau gap widens only when resistance rises.

  • D. Disconnection of the breathing circuit

    A disconnected circuit causes low pressure and a low-pressure alarm.

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, Raised airway resistance, as in bronchospasm or a kinked tube. A rise in peak pressure with a stable plateau pressure points to a resistive problem in the airways or tube, such as bronchospasm, secretions or kinking.

Why is "Reduced lung compliance, as in pulmonary oedema" not the answer?

Falling compliance would raise the plateau pressure along with the peak.

Why is "Leak around the tracheal tube cuff" not the answer?

A cuff leak loses volume and lowers the pressure.

Why is "Disconnection of the breathing circuit" not the answer?

A disconnected circuit causes low pressure and a low-pressure alarm.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Monitoring and anaesthesia workstation: curriculum recognition in Anaesthesia. A compliance problem raises peak and plateau pressures together. Disconnection and cuff leak lower the pressure.

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.