Airway complications: cuff leak test: 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.

Try it

Anaesthesia · Airway complications: cuff leak test

Sample item

What does a negative (absent) cuff leak test before extubation predict?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. A risk of post-extubation stridor from laryngeal oedema

With the cuff deflated and the tube occluded, air should leak around the tube during inspiration. Absence of leak suggests laryngeal oedema and a high risk of stridor after extubation.

Option by option

  • A. Tube blockage

    A blocked tube is assessed by suction passage.

  • B. Oesophageal intubation

    The test does not assess tube position.

  • C. Pneumothorax

    The test does not detect pneumothorax.

  • D. A risk of post-extubation stridor from laryngeal oedema (correct)

    Correct. No leak suggests laryngeal 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.

More Anaesthesia questions

Questions about this Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is D, A risk of post-extubation stridor from laryngeal oedema. With the cuff deflated and the tube occluded, air should leak around the tube during inspiration.

Why is "Tube blockage" not the answer?

A blocked tube is assessed by suction passage.

Why is "Oesophageal intubation" not the answer?

The test does not assess tube position.

Why is "Pneumothorax" not the answer?

The test does not detect pneumothorax.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Airway complications: cuff leak test in Anaesthesia. Absence of leak suggests laryngeal oedema and a high risk of stridor after extubation.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: cuff leak test?

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.