Airway complications: post-extubation stridor: 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: post-extubation stridor

Sample item

A patient develops stridor after extubation following prolonged intubation. Which initial treatment is appropriate?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Humidified oxygen, nebulised adrenaline and intravenous dexamethasone

Post-extubation stridor results from laryngeal oedema and responds to nebulised adrenaline (alpha-mediated vasoconstriction) and corticosteroids. Heliox and reintubation are reserved for failure.

Option by option

  • A. Cuff re-inflation in a new tube without assessment

    Blind re-intubation without assessment is not first-line.

  • B. Immediate high-dose sedation

    Sedation can worsen obstruction.

  • C. Humidified oxygen, nebulised adrenaline and intravenous dexamethasone (correct)

    Correct. Adrenaline nebulisation and steroids reduce oedema.

  • D. Oral antibiotics

    Antibiotics do not treat oedema.

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, Humidified oxygen, nebulised adrenaline and intravenous dexamethasone. Post-extubation stridor results from laryngeal oedema and responds to nebulised adrenaline (alpha-mediated vasoconstriction) and corticosteroids.

Why is "Cuff re-inflation in a new tube without assessment" not the answer?

Blind re-intubation without assessment is not first-line.

Why is "Immediate high-dose sedation" not the answer?

Sedation can worsen obstruction.

Why is "Oral antibiotics" not the answer?

Antibiotics do not treat oedema.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Airway complications: post-extubation stridor in Anaesthesia. Heliox and reintubation are reserved for failure.

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: post-extubation stridor?

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.