Special populations and acute pain: 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 · Special populations and acute pain: curriculum recognition

Sample item

After a total knee replacement, a surgeon prescribes paracetamol, an NSAID, a femoral nerve block and a small dose of opioid together, so that each acts on a different part of the pain pathway and the opioid requirement falls. What is this strategy called?

AOpioid rotationBPatient-controlled analgesiaCMultimodal analgesiaDPre-emptive analgesia

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Multimodal analgesia

Multimodal or balanced analgesia combines drugs and techniques with different mechanisms, giving additive or synergistic relief with fewer opioid side effects. It is the basis of enhanced recovery pathways. Timing, route and switching of a single opioid are different concepts.

Option by option

A. Opioid rotation
Opioid rotation means switching from one opioid to another because of tolerance or side effects.
B. Patient-controlled analgesia
Patient-controlled analgesia is a delivery method in which the patient triggers small opioid boluses.
C. Multimodal analgesia (correct)
Correct. Combining agents with different sites of action to spare opioid is multimodal analgesia.
D. Pre-emptive analgesia
Pre-emptive analgesia refers to giving treatment before the noxious stimulus to blunt central sensitisation.

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.

Questions about this Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is C, Multimodal analgesia. Multimodal or balanced analgesia combines drugs and techniques with different mechanisms, giving additive or synergistic relief with fewer opioid side effects.

Why is "Opioid rotation" not the answer?

Opioid rotation means switching from one opioid to another because of tolerance or side effects.

Why is "Patient-controlled analgesia" not the answer?

Patient-controlled analgesia is a delivery method in which the patient triggers small opioid boluses.

Why is "Pre-emptive analgesia" not the answer?

Pre-emptive analgesia refers to giving treatment before the noxious stimulus to blunt central sensitisation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Special populations and acute pain: curriculum recognition in Anaesthesia. It is the basis of enhanced recovery pathways. Timing, route and switching of a single opioid are different concepts.

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 Special populations and acute pain: 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.