Critical care: sudden deterioration on a ventilator: 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: sudden deterioration on a ventilator

Sample item

A ventilated patient suddenly desaturates with rising airway pressures. Which mnemonic helps in troubleshooting?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. DOPE: displacement, obstruction, pneumothorax, equipment failure

DOPE prompts checking tube displacement, obstruction by secretions or kinking, pneumothorax, and equipment failure. The first step is to disconnect from the ventilator, hand ventilate with 100% oxygen and assess. FAST HUGS BID is a daily ICU care checklist.

Option by option

  • A. SOAP notes

    SOAP is a documentation format.

  • B. DOPE: displacement, obstruction, pneumothorax, equipment failure (correct)

    Correct. DOPE lists the common causes of acute deterioration.

  • C. FAST HUGS BID

    FAST HUGS BID is a daily checklist.

  • D. ABCDE of burns only

    This is not a troubleshooting mnemonic.

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, DOPE: displacement, obstruction, pneumothorax, equipment failure. DOPE prompts checking tube displacement, obstruction by secretions or kinking, pneumothorax, and equipment failure.

Why is "SOAP notes" not the answer?

SOAP is a documentation format.

Why is "FAST HUGS BID" not the answer?

FAST HUGS BID is a daily checklist.

Why is "ABCDE of burns only" not the answer?

This is not a troubleshooting mnemonic.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Critical care: sudden deterioration on a ventilator in Anaesthesia. The first step is to disconnect from the ventilator, hand ventilate with 100% oxygen and assess. FAST HUGS BID is a daily ICU care checklist.

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: sudden deterioration on a ventilator?

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.