Postoperative complications: atelectasis: 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 complications: atelectasis

Sample item

Fever and hypoxaemia on the first postoperative day with reduced breath sounds at lung bases are commonly due to what?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Atelectasis

Postoperative atelectasis is common because pain, shallow breathing and mucus retention reduce alveolar expansion. Mobilisation, analgesia and lung-expansion measures are important.

Option by option

  • A. Pulmonary embolism in every case

    Pulmonary embolism is important but is not the most typical explanation for this early pattern.

  • B. Malignant hyperthermia

    Malignant hyperthermia occurs during or soon after triggering anaesthesia with hypercapnia and rigidity.

  • C. Aspiration pneumonia only

    Aspiration has a distinct clinical context and infiltrate pattern.

  • D. Atelectasis (correct)

    Correct. Basal collapse is a common early postoperative respiratory problem.

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 D, Atelectasis. Postoperative atelectasis is common because pain, shallow breathing and mucus retention reduce alveolar expansion.

Why is "Pulmonary embolism in every case" not the answer?

Pulmonary embolism is important but is not the most typical explanation for this early pattern.

Why is "Malignant hyperthermia" not the answer?

Malignant hyperthermia occurs during or soon after triggering anaesthesia with hypercapnia and rigidity.

Why is "Aspiration pneumonia only" not the answer?

Aspiration has a distinct clinical context and infiltrate pattern.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Postoperative complications: atelectasis in Anaesthesia. Mobilisation, analgesia and lung-expansion measures are important.

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 complications: atelectasis?

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.