Equipment: carbon dioxide absorbers: 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 · Equipment: carbon dioxide absorbers

Sample item

What is the principal component of soda lime?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Calcium hydroxide (about 80 to 94%)

Soda lime consists mainly of calcium hydroxide with small amounts of sodium and potassium hydroxide and water. CO2 reacts to form calcium carbonate with heat and water.

Option by option

  • A. Potassium permanganate

    Potassium permanganate is not a constituent.

  • B. Silica gel

    Silica gel is a hardening agent in trace form, not a constituent.

  • C. Sodium hydroxide (about 80%)

    Sodium hydroxide makes up only about 5%.

  • D. Calcium hydroxide (about 80 to 94%) (correct)

    Correct. Calcium hydroxide is the main constituent.

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 D, Calcium hydroxide (about 80 to 94%). Soda lime consists mainly of calcium hydroxide with small amounts of sodium and potassium hydroxide and water.

Why is "Potassium permanganate" not the answer?

Potassium permanganate is not a constituent.

Why is "Silica gel" not the answer?

Silica gel is a hardening agent in trace form, not a constituent.

Why is "Sodium hydroxide (about 80%)" not the answer?

Sodium hydroxide makes up only about 5%.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Equipment: carbon dioxide absorbers in Anaesthesia. CO2 reacts to form calcium carbonate with heat and water.

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 Equipment: carbon dioxide absorbers?

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.