Postoperative nausea and vomiting: 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 · Postoperative nausea and vomiting

Sample item

Which anesthetic strategy generally reduces postoperative nausea and vomiting risk in a susceptible patient when clinically appropriate?

AUse total intravenous anesthesia with propofol rather than a volatile anestheticBGive nitrous oxide to every patientCAvoid all antiemetic prophylaxisDUse the largest feasible opioid dose

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Use total intravenous anesthesia with propofol rather than a volatile anesthetic

Volatile anesthetics and opioids are important modifiable contributors to postoperative nausea and vomiting. Propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia can reduce risk, alongside multimodal prophylaxis based on the patient's risk profile.

Option by option

A. Use total intravenous anesthesia with propofol rather than a volatile anesthetic (correct)
Correct. Propofol-based TIVA is associated with lower PONV risk than volatile-based anesthesia.
B. Give nitrous oxide to every patient
Nitrous oxide can contribute to PONV in susceptible patients.
C. Avoid all antiemetic prophylaxis
Risk-based antiemetic prophylaxis is often appropriate.
D. Use the largest feasible opioid dose
Higher opioid exposure generally increases PONV risk.

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.

Questions about this Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is A, Use total intravenous anesthesia with propofol rather than a volatile anesthetic. Volatile anesthetics and opioids are important modifiable contributors to postoperative nausea and vomiting.

Why is "Give nitrous oxide to every patient" not the answer?

Nitrous oxide can contribute to PONV in susceptible patients.

Why is "Avoid all antiemetic prophylaxis" not the answer?

Risk-based antiemetic prophylaxis is often appropriate.

Why is "Use the largest feasible opioid dose" not the answer?

Higher opioid exposure generally increases PONV risk.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Postoperative nausea and vomiting in Anaesthesia. Propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia can reduce risk, alongside multimodal prophylaxis based on the patient's risk profile.

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 Postoperative nausea and vomiting?

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.