Obstetric anaesthesia: 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 · Obstetric anaesthesia

Sample item

What is a common physiological reason pregnant patients desaturate rapidly during apnea?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Reduced functional residual capacity

Pregnancy reduces functional residual capacity while increasing oxygen consumption, shortening safe apnoea time during induction and airway management.

Option by option

  • A. Increased lung compliance only

    Compliance change is not the core explanation.

  • B. Reduced functional residual capacity (correct)

    Correct: reduced oxygen reserve speeds desaturation.

  • C. Increased residual volume only

    Residual volume does not rise as the key change.

  • D. Lower oxygen consumption

    Oxygen consumption increases.

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 Anaesthesia questions

Questions about this Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is B, Reduced functional residual capacity. Pregnancy reduces functional residual capacity while increasing oxygen consumption, shortening safe apnoea time during induction and airway management.

Why is "Increased lung compliance only" not the answer?

Compliance change is not the core explanation.

Why is "Increased residual volume only" not the answer?

Residual volume does not rise as the key change.

Why is "Lower oxygen consumption" not the answer?

Oxygen consumption increases.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Obstetric anaesthesia in Anaesthesia. The correct option holds because: Correct: reduced oxygen reserve speeds desaturation.

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 Obstetric anaesthesia?

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.