Complications, recovery, and safety culture: 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 · Complications, recovery, and safety culture: curriculum recognition

Sample item

During tonsillar surgery with diathermy near the airway, an operating room fire is a risk. Which gas, apart from oxygen, supports combustion?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Nitrous oxide

A fire needs fuel, an ignition source and an oxidiser. Both oxygen and nitrous oxide act as oxidisers, so fraction of inspired oxygen should be minimised near ignition sources. Halogenated agents at clinical concentrations do not support combustion.

Option by option

  • A. Sevoflurane

    Sevoflurane is non-flammable at clinical concentrations.

  • B. Nitrous oxide (correct)

    Correct. This gas supports combustion like oxygen.

  • C. Helium

    Helium is inert and non-flammable.

  • D. Nitrogen

    Nitrogen is inert.

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.

More Anaesthesia questions

Questions about this Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is B, Nitrous oxide. A fire needs fuel, an ignition source and an oxidiser.

Why is "Sevoflurane" not the answer?

Sevoflurane is non-flammable at clinical concentrations.

Why is "Helium" not the answer?

Helium is inert and non-flammable.

Why is "Nitrogen" not the answer?

Nitrogen is inert.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Complications, recovery, and safety culture: curriculum recognition in Anaesthesia. Both oxygen and nitrous oxide act as oxidisers, so fraction of inspired oxygen should be minimised near ignition sources. Halogenated agents at clinical concentrations do not support combustion.

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 Complications, recovery, and safety culture: 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.