Paediatric anaesthesia: apnoea of prematurity: 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 · Paediatric anaesthesia: apnoea of prematurity

Sample item

A former preterm infant of low postconceptional age is scheduled for an inguinal hernia repair under general anaesthesia. What is the recommended perioperative plan?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Admit for overnight apnoea monitoring after surgery

Former preterm infants are at risk of postoperative apnoea after general anaesthesia, and the risk is highest at low postconceptional age and with anaemia. They are observed with apnoea monitoring, usually for at least 12 to 24 hours. Caffeine may be given, and regional anaesthesia is considered where suitable.

Option by option

  • A. Admit for overnight apnoea monitoring after surgery (correct)

    Correct. Monitored admission detects and treats postoperative apnoea.

  • B. Discharge home after 1 hour in recovery

    Early discharge is unsafe because apnoea can occur hours after anaesthesia.

  • C. Give atropine to prevent apnoea

    Atropine does not prevent central apnoea.

  • D. Avoid all monitoring after anaesthesia

    Monitoring is the key safety measure and cannot be omitted.

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 A, Admit for overnight apnoea monitoring after surgery. Former preterm infants are at risk of postoperative apnoea after general anaesthesia, and the risk is highest at low postconceptional age and with anaemia.

Why is "Discharge home after 1 hour in recovery" not the answer?

Early discharge is unsafe because apnoea can occur hours after anaesthesia.

Why is "Give atropine to prevent apnoea" not the answer?

Atropine does not prevent central apnoea.

Why is "Avoid all monitoring after anaesthesia" not the answer?

Monitoring is the key safety measure and cannot be omitted.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric anaesthesia: apnoea of prematurity in Anaesthesia. They are observed with apnoea monitoring, usually for at least 12 to 24 hours. Caffeine may be given, and regional anaesthesia is considered where suitable.

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 Paediatric anaesthesia: apnoea of prematurity?

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.