Critical care: albumin in traumatic brain injury: 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: albumin in traumatic brain injury

Sample item

In critically ill patients, in which group did albumin resuscitation increase mortality in the SAFE trial?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Traumatic brain injury

The SAFE trial found that saline and 4 percent albumin were broadly equivalent overall, but albumin was associated with higher mortality in traumatic brain injury, possibly through raised intracranial pressure. A possible benefit was seen in sepsis. Albumin is also used in large-volume paracentesis in cirrhosis.

Option by option

  • A. Sepsis

    Sepsis showed a trend toward benefit.

  • B. Cirrhosis with paracentesis

    Albumin is beneficial in paracentesis.

  • C. Burns

    Burns are not the group with harm in SAFE.

  • D. Traumatic brain injury (correct)

    Correct. Albumin was harmful in traumatic brain injury.

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 D, Traumatic brain injury. The SAFE trial found that saline and 4 percent albumin were broadly equivalent overall, but albumin was associated with higher mortality in traumatic brain injury, possibly through raised intracranial pressure.

Why is "Sepsis" not the answer?

Sepsis showed a trend toward benefit.

Why is "Cirrhosis with paracentesis" not the answer?

Albumin is beneficial in paracentesis.

Why is "Burns" not the answer?

Burns are not the group with harm in SAFE.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Critical care: albumin in traumatic brain injury in Anaesthesia. A possible benefit was seen in sepsis. Albumin is also used in large-volume paracentesis in cirrhosis.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: albumin in traumatic brain injury?

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.