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.

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Anaesthesia · Regional anaesthesia and pain anatomy: curriculum recognition

Sample item

While an epidural catheter is being threaded in a labouring woman, blood flows back through it. Which structure has most likely been entered?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Epidural venous plexus

The epidural space contains a valveless venous plexus that is engorged in pregnancy, so blood can return through a needle or catheter. The catheter is withdrawn slightly or resited, and a test dose is used to exclude intravenous placement. Arteries of the cord lie deep to the dura.

Option by option

  • A. Epidural venous plexus (correct)

    Correct. Epidural veins are the vessels most likely to be entered.

  • B. Vertebral artery

    The vertebral artery lies in the neck, far from the lumbar epidural space.

  • C. Vessels of the pia mater

    Pial vessels lie in the subarachnoid space, beyond the dura.

  • D. Anterior spinal artery

    The anterior spinal artery lies on the cord, beyond the epidural space.

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 A, Epidural venous plexus. The epidural space contains a valveless venous plexus that is engorged in pregnancy, so blood can return through a needle or catheter.

Why is "Vertebral artery" not the answer?

The vertebral artery lies in the neck, far from the lumbar epidural space.

Why is "Vessels of the pia mater" not the answer?

Pial vessels lie in the subarachnoid space, beyond the dura.

Why is "Anterior spinal artery" not the answer?

The anterior spinal artery lies on the cord, beyond the epidural space.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Regional anaesthesia and pain anatomy: curriculum recognition in Anaesthesia. The catheter is withdrawn slightly or resited, and a test dose is used to exclude intravenous placement. Arteries of the cord lie deep to the dura.

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 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.