Paediatric anaesthesia: epiglottitis: 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 · Paediatric anaesthesia: epiglottitis

Sample item

A drooling child with stridor and fever sits leaning forward. What is the safest approach to airway management?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Calm child, inhalational induction in theatre with a senior anaesthetist and surgeon ready for tracheostomy

Agitation and lying flat can precipitate complete obstruction in acute epiglottitis. Induction with sevoflurane in oxygen in the sitting position, with the ability to perform surgical airway, is the safest plan.

Option by option

  • A. Examine the throat with a spatula in the ward

    Throat examination may cause total obstruction.

  • B. Calm child, inhalational induction in theatre with a senior anaesthetist and surgeon ready for tracheostomy (correct)

    Correct. A controlled induction with backup is the safest.

  • C. Lie the child flat for X-ray

    Lying flat worsens obstruction.

  • D. Intravenous induction with muscle relaxant

    Muscle relaxants may lead to loss of the airway.

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, Calm child, inhalational induction in theatre with a senior anaesthetist and surgeon ready for tracheostomy. Agitation and lying flat can precipitate complete obstruction in acute epiglottitis.

Why is "Examine the throat with a spatula in the ward" not the answer?

Throat examination may cause total obstruction.

Why is "Lie the child flat for X-ray" not the answer?

Lying flat worsens obstruction.

Why is "Intravenous induction with muscle relaxant" not the answer?

Muscle relaxants may lead to loss of the airway.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric anaesthesia: epiglottitis in Anaesthesia. Induction with sevoflurane in oxygen in the sitting position, with the ability to perform surgical airway, is the safest plan.

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 Paediatric anaesthesia: epiglottitis?

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.