Basic resuscitation: newborn after maternal opioid: 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 · Basic resuscitation: newborn after maternal opioid

Sample item

A newborn is apnoeic with a heart rate of 80 per minute after the mother received pethidine within the previous hour. What is the initial priority?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Positive pressure ventilation with a bag and mask

Ventilation is the key step in neonatal resuscitation, since bradycardia is almost always due to hypoxia. Naloxone is not recommended as a first measure in the delivery room, and compressions are started only if the heart rate stays below 60 despite effective ventilation.

Option by option

  • A. Positive pressure ventilation with a bag and mask (correct)

    Correct. Effective lung inflation corrects the hypoxic bradycardia.

  • B. Intramuscular naloxone to reverse the opioid

    Naloxone does not replace ventilation and is not part of the initial steps.

  • C. Intravenous adrenaline

    Adrenaline is used if the heart rate remains low despite ventilation and compressions.

  • D. Chest compressions

    Compressions are indicated only if the rate is below 60 after effective 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.

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Questions about this Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is A, Positive pressure ventilation with a bag and mask. Ventilation is the key step in neonatal resuscitation, since bradycardia is almost always due to hypoxia.

Why is "Intramuscular naloxone to reverse the opioid" not the answer?

Naloxone does not replace ventilation and is not part of the initial steps.

Why is "Intravenous adrenaline" not the answer?

Adrenaline is used if the heart rate remains low despite ventilation and compressions.

Why is "Chest compressions" not the answer?

Compressions are indicated only if the rate is below 60 after effective ventilation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Basic resuscitation: newborn after maternal opioid in Anaesthesia. Naloxone is not recommended as a first measure in the delivery room, and compressions are started only if the heart rate stays below 60 despite effective ventilation.

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 Basic resuscitation: newborn after maternal opioid?

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.