Special anaesthesia: sickle cell disease: 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.

Try it

Anaesthesia · Special anaesthesia: sickle cell disease

Sample item

Which perioperative measure helps to prevent sickling in a patient with sickle cell disease?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Maintain oxygenation, hydration and warmth

Hypoxia, acidosis, dehydration, hypothermia and stasis promote haemoglobin S polymerisation. Perioperative care therefore focuses on oxygen, fluids, warming, adequate analgesia and avoiding hypotension. Tourniquets are used cautiously, if at all.

Option by option

  • A. Restrict intravenous fluids

    Dehydration increases blood viscosity and promotes sickling.

  • B. Maintain oxygenation, hydration and warmth (correct)

    Correct. Oxygen, fluids and warmth reduce the triggers for sickling.

  • C. Allow mild hypothermia to reduce metabolism

    Hypothermia causes vasoconstriction and promotes sickling.

  • D. Use routine prolonged tourniquet inflation

    A tourniquet causes stasis, hypoxia and acidosis in the limb, which favour sickling.

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.

More Anaesthesia questions

Questions about this Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is B, Maintain oxygenation, hydration and warmth. Hypoxia, acidosis, dehydration, hypothermia and stasis promote haemoglobin S polymerisation.

Why is "Restrict intravenous fluids" not the answer?

Dehydration increases blood viscosity and promotes sickling.

Why is "Allow mild hypothermia to reduce metabolism" not the answer?

Hypothermia causes vasoconstriction and promotes sickling.

Why is "Use routine prolonged tourniquet inflation" not the answer?

A tourniquet causes stasis, hypoxia and acidosis in the limb, which favour sickling.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Special anaesthesia: sickle cell disease in Anaesthesia. Perioperative care therefore focuses on oxygen, fluids, warming, adequate analgesia and avoiding hypotension. Tourniquets are used cautiously, if at all.

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 Special anaesthesia: sickle cell disease?

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.