Respiratory medicine: COPD: practice question

A General Medicine 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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General Medicine · Respiratory medicine: COPD

Sample item

A COPD exacerbation presents with pH 7.28 and PaCO2 70 mmHg despite initial bronchodilators. Which support is appropriate if no contraindication exists?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Non-invasive ventilation

Acute hypercapnic acidosis in COPD often improves with non-invasive ventilation plus controlled oxygen and bronchodilators. Oxygen should be titrated rather than withheld.

Option by option

  • A. Immediate long-term oxygen therapy only

    Long-term oxygen is not acute ventilatory support.

  • B. High-flow oxygen without titration

    Untitrated oxygen can worsen hypercapnia in susceptible patients.

  • C. Routine antibiotics without ventilation support

    Antibiotics do not correct ventilatory failure alone.

  • D. Non-invasive ventilation (correct)

    Correct. NIV reduces work of breathing and improves ventilation.

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.

More General Medicine questions

Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is D, Non-invasive ventilation. Acute hypercapnic acidosis in COPD often improves with non-invasive ventilation plus controlled oxygen and bronchodilators.

Why is "Immediate long-term oxygen therapy only" not the answer?

Long-term oxygen is not acute ventilatory support.

Why is "High-flow oxygen without titration" not the answer?

Untitrated oxygen can worsen hypercapnia in susceptible patients.

Why is "Routine antibiotics without ventilation support" not the answer?

Antibiotics do not correct ventilatory failure alone.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Respiratory medicine: COPD in General Medicine. Oxygen should be titrated rather than withheld.

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 Respiratory medicine: COPD?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine 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.