Regional anaesthesia and pain anatomy: 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.

Try it

Anaesthesia · Regional anaesthesia and pain anatomy: curriculum recognition

Sample item

A 70-year-old man needs a 4-hour total knee replacement. The plan is a block that works quickly and densely, can be topped up if the operation runs long, and can then provide postoperative analgesia. Which neuraxial technique best fits?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Combined spinal-epidural technique

A spinal dose gives rapid, dense block, while the epidural catheter placed in the same session allows top-ups and postoperative infusion. A single spinal cannot be extended, and an epidural alone has slower onset and a patchier block. Caudal block is used mainly in children.

Option by option

  • A. Single-injection intrathecal block

    A single intrathecal injection cannot be prolonged once it wears off.

  • B. Lumbar epidural catheter alone

    An epidural alone has slower onset and a less dense block.

  • C. Caudal block

    Caudal block is mainly paediatric and does not suit knee surgery in an adult.

  • D. Combined spinal-epidural technique (correct)

    Correct. Rapid spinal onset is combined with a catheter for extension and later analgesia.

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 Anaesthesia questions

Questions about this Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is D, Combined spinal-epidural technique. A spinal dose gives rapid, dense block, while the epidural catheter placed in the same session allows top-ups and postoperative infusion.

Why is "Single-injection intrathecal block" not the answer?

A single intrathecal injection cannot be prolonged once it wears off.

Why is "Lumbar epidural catheter alone" not the answer?

An epidural alone has slower onset and a less dense block.

Why is "Caudal block" not the answer?

Caudal block is mainly paediatric and does not suit knee surgery in an adult.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Regional anaesthesia and pain anatomy: curriculum recognition in Anaesthesia. A single spinal cannot be extended, and an epidural alone has slower onset and a patchier block. Caudal block is used mainly in children.

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 Regional anaesthesia and pain anatomy: 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.