Respiratory physiology and ventilation: 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 · Respiratory physiology and ventilation: curriculum recognition

Sample item

In an obese patient who develops basal lung collapse after induction, a brief sustained inflation to a high airway pressure is followed by a moderate end-expiratory pressure. What is the rationale?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Reopen collapsed alveoli, then keep them open

A recruitment manoeuvre applies a transient high pressure to reopen atelectatic alveoli. Without adequate end-expiratory pressure the units collapse again, so the two are used together. It can lower blood pressure and must be done with care.

Option by option

  • A. Reduce airway resistance by dilating the bronchi

    The manoeuvre does not act on bronchial smooth muscle.

  • B. Wash out CO2 from the anatomical dead space

    Dead space washout is not the aim of the manoeuvre.

  • C. Reopen collapsed alveoli, then keep them open (correct)

    Correct. The high pressure opens collapsed units and the end-expiratory pressure maintains them.

  • D. Raise cardiac output by increasing venous return

    Raised intrathoracic pressure reduces venous return rather than increasing it.

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 C, Reopen collapsed alveoli, then keep them open. A recruitment manoeuvre applies a transient high pressure to reopen atelectatic alveoli.

Why is "Reduce airway resistance by dilating the bronchi" not the answer?

The manoeuvre does not act on bronchial smooth muscle.

Why is "Wash out CO2 from the anatomical dead space" not the answer?

Dead space washout is not the aim of the manoeuvre.

Why is "Raise cardiac output by increasing venous return" not the answer?

Raised intrathoracic pressure reduces venous return rather than increasing it.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Respiratory physiology and ventilation: curriculum recognition in Anaesthesia. Without adequate end-expiratory pressure the units collapse again, so the two are used together. It can lower blood pressure and must be done with care.

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 Respiratory physiology and ventilation: 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.