Local and regional anaesthesia: ropivacaine differential block: 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 · Local and regional anaesthesia: ropivacaine differential block

Sample item

A woman in labour wants effective analgesia but wishes to keep her legs strong so she can move and push. Which local anaesthetic, by producing less motor than sensory block at low concentration, is most suitable for the epidural?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Ropivacaine

Ropivacaine and levobupivacaine at low concentration give a differential block with relatively less motor block, which suits labour analgesia. Strong concentrations of lignocaine or bupivacaine give dense motor block. Ropivacaine is also less cardiotoxic than bupivacaine.

Option by option

  • A. Chloroprocaine

    Chloroprocaine is short acting and used for fast surgical blocks.

  • B. Bupivacaine 0.5 percent

    Bupivacaine 0.5 percent produces dense motor block, unlike low-concentration mixtures.

  • C. Lignocaine 2 percent

    Lignocaine 2 percent gives a dense motor block.

  • D. Ropivacaine (correct)

    Correct. Ropivacaine gives analgesia with relatively preserved motor function.

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, Ropivacaine. Ropivacaine and levobupivacaine at low concentration give a differential block with relatively less motor block, which suits labour analgesia.

Why is "Chloroprocaine" not the answer?

Chloroprocaine is short acting and used for fast surgical blocks.

Why is "Bupivacaine 0.5 percent" not the answer?

Bupivacaine 0.5 percent produces dense motor block, unlike low-concentration mixtures.

Why is "Lignocaine 2 percent" not the answer?

Lignocaine 2 percent gives a dense motor block.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Local and regional anaesthesia: ropivacaine differential block in Anaesthesia. Strong concentrations of lignocaine or bupivacaine give dense motor block. Ropivacaine is also less cardiotoxic than bupivacaine.

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 Local and regional anaesthesia: ropivacaine differential block?

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.