Preoperative assessment: functional capacity: 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 · Preoperative assessment: functional capacity

Sample item

A patient reports they can climb two flights of stairs without chest pain or undue breathlessness. This history most directly provides an estimate of what?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Functional capacity in metabolic equivalents

Ability to perform activities such as stair climbing gives a practical estimate of functional capacity, often expressed in metabolic equivalents. It helps contextualize perioperative cardiovascular risk alongside the planned operation and comorbidities.

Option by option

  • A. Difficult mask ventilation

    Airway difficulty is assessed using airway anatomy and previous airway history.

  • B. Gastric emptying

    Gastric emptying risk is assessed from fasting, obstruction, diabetes, and other aspiration factors.

  • C. Functional capacity in metabolic equivalents (correct)

    Correct. Stair-climbing ability is a common functional-capacity screen.

  • D. Coagulation status

    Coagulation status is assessed from history, examination, and selected testing.

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, Functional capacity in metabolic equivalents. Ability to perform activities such as stair climbing gives a practical estimate of functional capacity, often expressed in metabolic equivalents.

Why is "Difficult mask ventilation" not the answer?

Airway difficulty is assessed using airway anatomy and previous airway history.

Why is "Gastric emptying" not the answer?

Gastric emptying risk is assessed from fasting, obstruction, diabetes, and other aspiration factors.

Why is "Coagulation status" not the answer?

Coagulation status is assessed from history, examination, and selected testing.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Preoperative assessment: functional capacity in Anaesthesia. It helps contextualize perioperative cardiovascular risk alongside the planned operation and comorbidities.

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 Preoperative assessment: functional capacity?

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.