Transfusion: TACO versus TRALI: 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 · Transfusion: TACO versus TRALI

Sample item

A patient develops dyspnoea, hypertension, raised JVP and a raised BNP during transfusion, and improves with furosemide. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Transfusion-associated circulatory overload

TACO results from volume overload and presents with hypertension, raised venous pressure, raised BNP and response to diuretics. TRALI causes non-cardiogenic oedema with fever and hypotension, with no response to diuretics. Both occur within hours of transfusion.

Option by option

  • A. TRALI

    TRALI usually has hypotension and does not respond to diuretics.

  • B. Anaphylaxis

    Anaphylaxis causes bronchospasm and hypotension.

  • C. Transfusion-associated circulatory overload (correct)

    Correct. Hypertension, raised JVP and diuretic response favour circulatory overload.

  • D. Acute haemolytic reaction

    Haemolysis causes fever, loin pain and haemoglobinuria.

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, Transfusion-associated circulatory overload. TACO results from volume overload and presents with hypertension, raised venous pressure, raised BNP and response to diuretics.

Why is "TRALI" not the answer?

TRALI usually has hypotension and does not respond to diuretics.

Why is "Anaphylaxis" not the answer?

Anaphylaxis causes bronchospasm and hypotension.

Why is "Acute haemolytic reaction" not the answer?

Haemolysis causes fever, loin pain and haemoglobinuria.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Transfusion: TACO versus TRALI in Anaesthesia. TRALI causes non-cardiogenic oedema with fever and hypotension, with no response to diuretics. Both occur within hours of transfusion.

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 Transfusion: TACO versus TRALI?

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.