Critical care, resuscitation, and emergency principles: 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 · Critical care, resuscitation, and emergency principles: curriculum recognition

Sample item

A patient with a stab wound to the chest has hypotension, distended neck veins, absent breath sounds on the right and tracheal deviation to the left. To which category does this circulatory failure belong?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Obstructive

Tension pneumothorax impedes venous return and cardiac filling by an extracardiac mechanical block, which defines obstructive shock. Tamponade and massive pulmonary embolism are other causes. Immediate decompression is the treatment.

Option by option

  • A. Distributive

    Distributive shock results from vasodilation, as in sepsis or anaphylaxis.

  • B. Cardiogenic

    Cardiogenic shock arises from failure of the heart muscle or valves themselves.

  • C. Obstructive (correct)

    Correct. A mechanical obstruction to filling and flow outside the heart muscle defines this category.

  • D. Hypovolaemic

    Hypovolaemic shock would show flat neck veins from volume loss.

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, Obstructive. Tension pneumothorax impedes venous return and cardiac filling by an extracardiac mechanical block, which defines obstructive shock.

Why is "Distributive" not the answer?

Distributive shock results from vasodilation, as in sepsis or anaphylaxis.

Why is "Cardiogenic" not the answer?

Cardiogenic shock arises from failure of the heart muscle or valves themselves.

Why is "Hypovolaemic" not the answer?

Hypovolaemic shock would show flat neck veins from volume loss.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Critical care, resuscitation, and emergency principles: curriculum recognition in Anaesthesia. Tamponade and massive pulmonary embolism are other causes. Immediate decompression is the treatment.

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 Critical care, resuscitation, and emergency principles: 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.