Epidural anaesthesia: test dose: 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 · Epidural anaesthesia: test dose

Sample item

What is the purpose of the epidural test dose of 3 mL lignocaine 1.5% with adrenaline 1 in 200,000?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. To detect intrathecal or intravascular catheter placement

Intrathecal injection produces rapid dense spinal block, and intravenous injection of adrenaline produces tachycardia of more than 20 beats per minute within a minute. Test dose reliability is limited in labouring women and beta-blocked patients.

Option by option

  • A. To reduce the risk of hypotension

    It does not reduce hypotension.

  • B. To confirm adequate analgesia

    Analgesia is assessed with the main dose.

  • C. To prevent headache

    It does not prevent headache.

  • D. To detect intrathecal or intravascular catheter placement (correct)

    Correct. It identifies misplacement.

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, To detect intrathecal or intravascular catheter placement. Intrathecal injection produces rapid dense spinal block, and intravenous injection of adrenaline produces tachycardia of more than 20 beats per minute within a minute.

Why is "To reduce the risk of hypotension" not the answer?

It does not reduce hypotension.

Why is "To confirm adequate analgesia" not the answer?

Analgesia is assessed with the main dose.

Why is "To prevent headache" not the answer?

It does not prevent headache.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Epidural anaesthesia: test dose in Anaesthesia. Test dose reliability is limited in labouring women and beta-blocked patients.

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 Epidural anaesthesia: test dose?

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.