Critical care: thromboelastography interpretation: 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: thromboelastography interpretation

Sample item

On thromboelastography, a prolonged reaction (R) time suggests deficiency of which component?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Coagulation factors

The R time reflects the time to initial clot formation and depends on clotting factors, so prolongation is treated with plasma. Reduced maximum amplitude (MA) suggests platelet or fibrinogen deficiency, and reduced alpha angle points to fibrinogen. Increased lysis at 30 minutes indicates hyperfibrinolysis.

Option by option

  • A. Fibrinogen alone

    Fibrinogen mainly affects the alpha angle and MA.

  • B. Platelets

    Platelet function affects the maximum amplitude.

  • C. Coagulation factors (correct)

    Correct. R time reflects clotting factor activity.

  • D. Fibrinolysis

    Fibrinolysis shows as increased clot lysis.

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 C, Coagulation factors. The R time reflects the time to initial clot formation and depends on clotting factors, so prolongation is treated with plasma.

Why is "Fibrinogen alone" not the answer?

Fibrinogen mainly affects the alpha angle and MA.

Why is "Platelets" not the answer?

Platelet function affects the maximum amplitude.

Why is "Fibrinolysis" not the answer?

Fibrinolysis shows as increased clot lysis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Critical care: thromboelastography interpretation in Anaesthesia. Reduced maximum amplitude (MA) suggests platelet or fibrinogen deficiency, and reduced alpha angle points to fibrinogen. Increased lysis at 30 minutes indicates hyperfibrinolysis.

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: thromboelastography interpretation?

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.