Geriatric anaesthesia: postoperative delirium: 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 · Geriatric anaesthesia: postoperative delirium

Sample item

Which preoperative drug class is best avoided in an elderly patient at risk of postoperative delirium?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Benzodiazepines

Older adults are vulnerable to postoperative delirium, and benzodiazepines and anticholinergic drugs are well-recognised precipitants. Preventive care includes avoiding these drugs, maintaining sleep, hydration and orientation, and using multimodal analgesia. Dexmedetomidine has been associated with less delirium.

Option by option

  • A. Benzodiazepines (correct)

    Correct. Benzodiazepines increase the risk of delirium in the elderly.

  • B. Regional blocks

    Regional blocks reduce opioid use and are not precipitants.

  • C. Dexmedetomidine

    Dexmedetomidine may reduce delirium.

  • D. Paracetamol

    Paracetamol is a safe opioid-sparing analgesic.

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, Benzodiazepines. Older adults are vulnerable to postoperative delirium, and benzodiazepines and anticholinergic drugs are well-recognised precipitants.

Why is "Regional blocks" not the answer?

Regional blocks reduce opioid use and are not precipitants.

Why is "Dexmedetomidine" not the answer?

Dexmedetomidine may reduce delirium.

Why is "Paracetamol" not the answer?

Paracetamol is a safe opioid-sparing analgesic.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Geriatric anaesthesia: postoperative delirium in Anaesthesia. Preventive care includes avoiding these drugs, maintaining sleep, hydration and orientation, and using multimodal analgesia. Dexmedetomidine has been associated with less delirium.

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 Geriatric anaesthesia: postoperative delirium?

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.