Spinal anaesthesia: high block: 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 · Spinal anaesthesia: high block

Sample item

A patient develops dyspnoea, difficulty speaking, bradycardia and hypotension 10 minutes after spinal injection. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. High or total spinal block

Cephalad spread leads to cardiac accelerator fibre blockade (T1 to T4), phrenic involvement and unconsciousness. It is managed with oxygen, airway control, fluids, vasopressors and atropine.

Option by option

  • A. High or total spinal block (correct)

    Correct. High spinal gives these features.

  • B. Local anaesthetic toxicity

    Toxicity from a spinal dose is rare and presents differently.

  • C. Anaphylaxis

    Anaphylaxis would show rash and bronchospasm.

  • D. Pulmonary embolism

    Pulmonary embolism is less likely at this timing.

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, High or total spinal block. Cephalad spread leads to cardiac accelerator fibre blockade (T1 to T4), phrenic involvement and unconsciousness.

Why is "Local anaesthetic toxicity" not the answer?

Toxicity from a spinal dose is rare and presents differently.

Why is "Anaphylaxis" not the answer?

Anaphylaxis would show rash and bronchospasm.

Why is "Pulmonary embolism" not the answer?

Pulmonary embolism is less likely at this timing.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Spinal anaesthesia: high block in Anaesthesia. It is managed with oxygen, airway control, fluids, vasopressors and atropine.

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 Spinal anaesthesia: high block?

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.