Airway complications: laryngospasm: 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 · Airway complications: laryngospasm

Sample item

A child develops stridor and paradoxical chest movements with desaturation after emergence, suggesting laryngospasm. What is the first management?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Remove the stimulus, apply CPAP with 100% oxygen and jaw thrust

Laryngospasm is treated by removing the stimulus such as secretions, giving 100% oxygen with CPAP, applying jaw thrust with Larson's point pressure, and deepening anaesthesia with propofol. If it persists, a small dose of suxamethonium (0.1 to 0.5 mg/kg) is given.

Option by option

  • A. Immediately intubate without relaxants

    Intubating without relaxation is nearly impossible in laryngospasm.

  • B. Give intravenous atropine only

    Atropine treats bradycardia but not the spasm.

  • C. Remove the stimulus, apply CPAP with 100% oxygen and jaw thrust (correct)

    Correct. CPAP, 100% oxygen and jaw thrust come first.

  • D. Start nebulised salbutamol

    Salbutamol treats bronchospasm, not glottic closure.

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 C, Remove the stimulus, apply CPAP with 100% oxygen and jaw thrust. Laryngospasm is treated by removing the stimulus such as secretions, giving 100% oxygen with CPAP, applying jaw thrust with Larson's point pressure, and deepening anaesthesia with propofol.

Why is "Immediately intubate without relaxants" not the answer?

Intubating without relaxation is nearly impossible in laryngospasm.

Why is "Give intravenous atropine only" not the answer?

Atropine treats bradycardia but not the spasm.

Why is "Start nebulised salbutamol" not the answer?

Salbutamol treats bronchospasm, not glottic closure.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Airway complications: laryngospasm in Anaesthesia. If it persists, a small dose of suxamethonium (0.1 to 0.5 mg/kg) is given.

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 Airway complications: laryngospasm?

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.