Epidural Anesthesia MCQ Quiz | Anesthetic Techniques

Welcome to the Epidural Anesthesia MCQ Quiz, specifically designed for MBBS students preparing for their Anesthetic Techniques module. This comprehensive quiz features 25 multiple-choice questions covering essential topics, including anatomical landmarks, physiological effects, pharmacological agents, procedural techniques, and the management of potential complications. Each question is crafted to test your foundational knowledge and clinical understanding of this vital regional anesthesia technique. After submitting your answers, you will receive your score immediately, with detailed feedback showing the correct and incorrect responses. For your future reference and revision, you can also download all the questions along with their correct answers in a convenient PDF format. Good luck!

1. The epidural space is a potential space located between which two structures?

2. When performing a lumbar epidural via the midline approach, which of the following ligaments is NOT pierced by the needle?

3. What is the primary site of action for local anesthetics administered into the epidural space?

4. The “loss of resistance” technique for identifying the epidural space relies on the pressure difference between the dense ligamentum flavum and the…

5. Which interspace is most commonly used for placing a lumbar epidural catheter for labor analgesia?

6. A common local anesthetic solution used for labor epidural analgesia is a low concentration of:

7. Why is epinephrine often added to local anesthetic solutions for epidural anesthesia?

8. What is the most common side effect of epidural anesthesia?

9. An epidural test dose containing lidocaine and epinephrine is administered. The patient suddenly develops tachycardia, hypertension, and tinnitus. This most likely indicates:

10. The definitive treatment for a severe post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) is:

11. Which of the following is an ABSOLUTE contraindication to epidural anesthesia?

12. A key difference between epidural and spinal anesthesia is that epidural anesthesia typically has a:

13. The hypotension associated with a high epidural block is primarily due to:

14. Which of these structures is NOT a normal content of the lumbar epidural space?

15. The “hanging drop” technique for identifying the epidural space relies on:

16. The most significant risk factor for the development of an epidural hematoma is:

17. How far should an epidural catheter typically be threaded into the epidural space beyond the needle tip?

18. A “patchy block” or “missed segments” in epidural anesthesia refers to:

19. In a patient with normal lung function, a thoracic epidural block to T4 has what effect on respiratory function?

20. The classic presentation of an accidental total spinal block following an intended epidural dose includes:

21. A major advantage of epidural analgesia for laboring mothers compared to systemic opioids is:

22. Which sensory dermatome level must be blocked to provide adequate analgesia for the first stage of labor?

23. In the context of postoperative pain management, epidural analgesia is particularly beneficial after major abdominal or thoracic surgery because it:

24. What is the typical onset time for an epidural block after the initial bolus?

25. A patient with an epidural catheter for postoperative analgesia complains of new-onset severe, localized back pain and progressive bilateral leg weakness. What is the most urgent concern?