Pain: PCA background infusion: 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 · Pain: PCA background infusion

Sample item

Which patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) setting increases the risk of respiratory depression in an opioid-naive adult and is therefore generally avoided?

AAn hourly dose limitBA lockout interval between bolusesCA demand bolus doseDA continuous background infusion

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. A continuous background infusion

In PCA, the patient titrates the opioid to effect, and sedation acts as a natural safeguard because a sleepy patient cannot press the button. A background infusion bypasses this safeguard and accumulates, raising the risk of respiratory depression in opioid-naive patients. Bolus dose, lockout interval and dose limits are the core safety settings.

Option by option

A. An hourly dose limit
A dose limit adds a further safety margin.
B. A lockout interval between boluses
The lockout interval prevents overdosing.
C. A demand bolus dose
The demand bolus is the core PCA function.
D. A continuous background infusion (correct)
Correct. A background infusion removes the patient-controlled safety feature.

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.

Questions about this Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is D, A continuous background infusion. In PCA, the patient titrates the opioid to effect, and sedation acts as a natural safeguard because a sleepy patient cannot press the button.

Why is "An hourly dose limit" not the answer?

A dose limit adds a further safety margin.

Why is "A lockout interval between boluses" not the answer?

The lockout interval prevents overdosing.

Why is "A demand bolus dose" not the answer?

The demand bolus is the core PCA function.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pain: PCA background infusion in Anaesthesia. A background infusion bypasses this safeguard and accumulates, raising the risk of respiratory depression in opioid-naive patients. Bolus dose, lockout interval and dose limits are the core safety settings.

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 Pain: PCA background infusion?

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.