Operating room safety: fire prevention: 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 · Operating room safety: fire prevention

Sample item

During facial surgery under monitored anesthesia care, supplemental oxygen is flowing beneath surgical drapes and the surgeon plans to use electrocautery. Which action most directly reduces operating-room fire risk?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Minimize open oxygen delivery and allow pooled oxygen to dissipate before ignition

Operating-room fires require an oxidizer, ignition source, and fuel. In head and neck procedures, minimizing oxygen accumulation under drapes and ensuring alcohol-based prep has dried are key prevention measures before using ignition sources.

Option by option

  • A. Minimize open oxygen delivery and allow pooled oxygen to dissipate before ignition (correct)

    Correct. Reducing the oxidizer concentration near the ignition source directly lowers fire risk.

  • B. Cover the surgical field with dry gauze only

    Dry gauze alone does not remove pooled oxygen or eliminate the fire triangle.

  • C. Apply alcohol-based prep and ignite before it dries

    Alcohol prep must dry completely before ignition sources are used.

  • D. Increase oxygen flow immediately before cautery

    Higher oxygen flow increases the oxidizer component of the fire triangle.

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 A, Minimize open oxygen delivery and allow pooled oxygen to dissipate before ignition. Operating-room fires require an oxidizer, ignition source, and fuel.

Why is "Cover the surgical field with dry gauze only" not the answer?

Dry gauze alone does not remove pooled oxygen or eliminate the fire triangle.

Why is "Apply alcohol-based prep and ignite before it dries" not the answer?

Alcohol prep must dry completely before ignition sources are used.

Why is "Increase oxygen flow immediately before cautery" not the answer?

Higher oxygen flow increases the oxidizer component of the fire triangle.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Operating room safety: fire prevention in Anaesthesia. In head and neck procedures, minimizing oxygen accumulation under drapes and ensuring alcohol-based prep has dried are key prevention measures before using ignition sources.

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 Operating room safety: fire prevention?

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.