Regional anaesthesia: epidural: 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 · Regional anaesthesia: epidural

Sample item

Which feature distinguishes epidural from spinal anaesthesia?

AIt cannot provide labour analgesiaBIt requires puncture of pia materCThe drug is injected outside the dura materDIt always produces faster onset

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. The drug is injected outside the dura mater

Epidural drug is deposited in the epidural space outside the dura, allowing titration through a catheter. Spinal anaesthesia places drug in CSF and usually has faster, denser onset.

Option by option

A. It cannot provide labour analgesia
Epidural analgesia is widely used in labour.
B. It requires puncture of pia mater
Neither technique requires pia puncture.
C. The drug is injected outside the dura mater (correct)
Correct. The anatomic target is outside the dura.
D. It always produces faster onset
Spinal, not epidural, generally has more rapid onset.

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 C, The drug is injected outside the dura mater. Epidural drug is deposited in the epidural space outside the dura, allowing titration through a catheter.

Why is "It cannot provide labour analgesia" not the answer?

Epidural analgesia is widely used in labour.

Why is "It requires puncture of pia mater" not the answer?

Neither technique requires pia puncture.

Why is "It always produces faster onset" not the answer?

Spinal, not epidural, generally has more rapid onset.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Regional anaesthesia: epidural in Anaesthesia. Spinal anaesthesia places drug in CSF and usually has faster, denser onset.

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 Regional anaesthesia: epidural?

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.