Critical care: septic shock vasopressor target: 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 · Critical care: septic shock vasopressor target

Sample item

In septic shock, what initial mean arterial pressure target is recommended with norepinephrine?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. 65 mmHg

Surviving Sepsis guidelines recommend an initial target mean arterial pressure of 65 mmHg using norepinephrine as the first-line vasopressor. Higher targets did not improve outcome and increased arrhythmias. Individual targets may be adjusted in chronic hypertension.

Option by option

  • A. 90 mmHg

    Higher targets of 90 mmHg were not beneficial.

  • B. 65 mmHg (correct)

    Correct. A MAP of 65 mmHg is the recommended starting target.

  • C. 45 mmHg

    A MAP of 45 mmHg is inadequate for organ perfusion.

  • D. 110 mmHg

    A MAP of 110 mmHg is excessive and harmful.

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 B, 65 mmHg. Surviving Sepsis guidelines recommend an initial target mean arterial pressure of 65 mmHg using norepinephrine as the first-line vasopressor.

Why is "90 mmHg" not the answer?

Higher targets of 90 mmHg were not beneficial.

Why is "45 mmHg" not the answer?

A MAP of 45 mmHg is inadequate for organ perfusion.

Why is "110 mmHg" not the answer?

A MAP of 110 mmHg is excessive and harmful.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Critical care: septic shock vasopressor target in Anaesthesia. Higher targets did not improve outcome and increased arrhythmias. Individual targets may be adjusted in chronic hypertension.

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 Critical care: septic shock vasopressor target?

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.