Airway anatomy, equipment, and airway management: curriculum recognition: 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 · Airway anatomy, equipment, and airway management: curriculum recognition

Sample item

During induction for intestinal obstruction, bilious fluid wells up in the pharynx, followed by coughing and a fall in saturation to 85%. What is the immediate step?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Head-down tilt and pharyngeal suction before ventilating

Witnessed regurgitation is managed by tilting the patient head down to keep fluid out of the trachea and suctioning the pharynx, then securing the airway with a tube and suctioning it. Positive pressure before clearing the pharynx forces fluid into the lungs. Steroids and lavage have no proven role.

Option by option

  • A. Bronchial lavage with saline through the tracheal tube

    Saline lavage spreads the aspirate and is not recommended.

  • B. Forceful mask ventilation to restore saturation

    Forceful mask ventilation pushes gastric contents deeper into the airway.

  • C. Intravenous hydrocortisone and waiting for chest imaging

    Steroids have no proven benefit, and waiting leaves the patient hypoxic.

  • D. Head-down tilt and pharyngeal suction before ventilating (correct)

    Correct. Positioning and suction limit further soiling of the lungs.

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, Head-down tilt and pharyngeal suction before ventilating. Witnessed regurgitation is managed by tilting the patient head down to keep fluid out of the trachea and suctioning the pharynx, then securing the airway with a tube and suctioning it.

Why is "Bronchial lavage with saline through the tracheal tube" not the answer?

Saline lavage spreads the aspirate and is not recommended.

Why is "Forceful mask ventilation to restore saturation" not the answer?

Forceful mask ventilation pushes gastric contents deeper into the airway.

Why is "Intravenous hydrocortisone and waiting for chest imaging" not the answer?

Steroids have no proven benefit, and waiting leaves the patient hypoxic.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Airway anatomy, equipment, and airway management: curriculum recognition in Anaesthesia. Positive pressure before clearing the pharynx forces fluid into the lungs. Steroids and lavage have no proven role.

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 Airway anatomy, equipment, and airway management: curriculum recognition?

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.