Post-cardiac arrest care: ventilation 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 · Post-cardiac arrest care: ventilation target

Sample item

After ROSC, what PaCO2 range should be targeted?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. 35 to 45 mmHg

Hypocapnia causes cerebral vasoconstriction and worsens ischaemia, and hypercapnia raises intracranial pressure. Normocapnia of 35 to 45 mmHg is the target. Hyperventilation during CPR also reduces venous return.

Option by option

  • A. 20 to 25 mmHg

    Hypocapnia reduces cerebral blood flow.

  • B. 35 to 45 mmHg (correct)

    Correct. Normocapnia protects cerebral perfusion.

  • C. 55 to 65 mmHg

    Hypercapnia raises intracranial pressure.

  • D. Any value is acceptable

    The values matter for neurological outcome.

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, 35 to 45 mmHg. Hypocapnia causes cerebral vasoconstriction and worsens ischaemia, and hypercapnia raises intracranial pressure.

Why is "20 to 25 mmHg" not the answer?

Hypocapnia reduces cerebral blood flow.

Why is "55 to 65 mmHg" not the answer?

Hypercapnia raises intracranial pressure.

Why is "Any value is acceptable" not the answer?

The values matter for neurological outcome.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Post-cardiac arrest care: ventilation target in Anaesthesia. Normocapnia of 35 to 45 mmHg is the target. Hyperventilation during CPR also reduces venous return.

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 Post-cardiac arrest care: ventilation 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.