Regional anaesthesia: sympathetic block effect on bowel: 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 · Regional anaesthesia: sympathetic block effect on bowel

Sample item

Spinal anaesthesia up to T10 produces which gastrointestinal effect?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Contracted gut with active peristalsis due to unopposed parasympathetic activity

Sympathetic block (T5 to L1) leaves vagal parasympathetic activity unopposed, causing a small, contracted bowel with active peristalsis, which suits bowel surgery but can cause nausea. Hypotension may worsen intestinal perfusion.

Option by option

  • A. Decreased secretions

    Secretions increase.

  • B. Contracted gut with active peristalsis due to unopposed parasympathetic activity (correct)

    Correct. Unopposed parasympathetic tone contracts the gut.

  • C. Reduced gut motility

    Motility increases.

  • D. Paralytic ileus

    Ileus is not caused by sympathetic block.

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 B, Contracted gut with active peristalsis due to unopposed parasympathetic activity. Sympathetic block (T5 to L1) leaves vagal parasympathetic activity unopposed, causing a small, contracted bowel with active peristalsis, which suits bowel surgery but can cause nausea.

Why is "Decreased secretions" not the answer?

Secretions increase.

Why is "Reduced gut motility" not the answer?

Motility increases.

Why is "Paralytic ileus" not the answer?

Ileus is not caused by sympathetic block.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Regional anaesthesia: sympathetic block effect on bowel in Anaesthesia. Hypotension may worsen intestinal perfusion.

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 Regional anaesthesia: sympathetic block effect on bowel?

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.