Monitoring and anaesthesia workstation: 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 · Monitoring and anaesthesia workstation: curriculum recognition

Sample item

A syringe pump delivering a vasoactive drug is placed well above the patient, and the plunger is not engaged in the drive. The patient receives an uncontrolled bolus of drug. Which hazard has occurred?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Siphoning of the syringe contents

If the pump is above the patient and the plunger is free, gravity can empty the syringe through the line. Seating the plunger in the drive and keeping the pump level with the patient prevent this. Anti-siphon features are built into good pumps for this reason.

Option by option

  • A. Air embolism from an unprimed line

    Air embolism arises from air in the line, not from an uncontrolled drug bolus.

  • B. Extravasation into the tissues

    Extravasation is leakage of drug out of the vein and causes local injury.

  • C. Occlusion with delayed delivery

    Occlusion slows delivery and is followed by a bolus only after release, with an alarm.

  • D. Siphoning of the syringe contents (correct)

    Correct. Gravity pushes the drug in because the syringe is not held by the drive.

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, Siphoning of the syringe contents. If the pump is above the patient and the plunger is free, gravity can empty the syringe through the line.

Why is "Air embolism from an unprimed line" not the answer?

Air embolism arises from air in the line, not from an uncontrolled drug bolus.

Why is "Extravasation into the tissues" not the answer?

Extravasation is leakage of drug out of the vein and causes local injury.

Why is "Occlusion with delayed delivery" not the answer?

Occlusion slows delivery and is followed by a bolus only after release, with an alarm.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Monitoring and anaesthesia workstation: curriculum recognition in Anaesthesia. Seating the plunger in the drive and keeping the pump level with the patient prevent this. Anti-siphon features are built into good pumps for this reason.

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 Monitoring and anaesthesia workstation: 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.