Labour: analgesia: practice question

A OBG 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.

Try it

OBG · Labour: analgesia

Sample item

Which is the most effective method of pain relief in labour?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Epidural analgesia

Epidural analgesia provides the best pain relief and does not depress the neonate. Side effects include maternal hypotension, a longer second stage, increased instrumental delivery and fever. Pethidine causes neonatal respiratory depression.

Option by option

  • A. TENS

    TENS has limited efficacy.

  • B. Pethidine intramuscular

    Opioids give limited relief and sedate the newborn.

  • C. Epidural analgesia (correct)

    Correct. It gives the most complete analgesia.

  • D. Entonox

    Entonox gives partial relief.

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.

More OBG questions

Questions about this OBG question

What is the answer to this OBG question?

The best answer is C, Epidural analgesia. Epidural analgesia provides the best pain relief and does not depress the neonate.

Why is "TENS" not the answer?

TENS has limited efficacy.

Why is "Pethidine intramuscular" not the answer?

Opioids give limited relief and sedate the newborn.

Why is "Entonox" not the answer?

Entonox gives partial relief.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Labour: analgesia in OBG. Side effects include maternal hypotension, a longer second stage, increased instrumental delivery and fever. Pethidine causes neonatal respiratory depression.

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 Labour: analgesia?

Learn management algorithms as steps: PPH, eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy. Then use the flashcards and the other OBG 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.