Critical care: PEEP: 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 · Critical care: PEEP

Sample item

What is the main physiological effect of PEEP in lung injury?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Recruits collapsed alveoli and increases FRC, improving oxygenation

PEEP keeps alveoli open at end expiration, which raises FRC and reduces shunt, but it increases intrathoracic pressure and may reduce venous return and cardiac output.

Option by option

  • A. Lowers PaCO2 directly

    PaCO2 is not directly reduced.

  • B. Recruits collapsed alveoli and increases FRC, improving oxygenation (correct)

    Correct. Alveolar recruitment improves oxygenation.

  • C. Increases venous return

    PEEP reduces venous return.

  • D. Decreases intrathoracic pressure

    Intrathoracic pressure rises.

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, Recruits collapsed alveoli and increases FRC, improving oxygenation. PEEP keeps alveoli open at end expiration, which raises FRC and reduces shunt, but it increases intrathoracic pressure and may reduce venous return and cardiac output.

Why is "Lowers PaCO2 directly" not the answer?

PaCO2 is not directly reduced.

Why is "Increases venous return" not the answer?

PEEP reduces venous return.

Why is "Decreases intrathoracic pressure" not the answer?

Intrathoracic pressure rises.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Critical care: PEEP in Anaesthesia. The correct option holds because: Correct. Alveolar recruitment improves oxygenation.

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 Critical care: PEEP?

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.