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DNB Anaesthesia Previous Year Questions

These are the DNB Anaesthesia (Anaesthesiology) theory questions asked by NBEMS in the December 2025 and June 2025 exams, listed paper by paper as they appeared. The Prep DNB app has all 24 DNB sessions from June 2014 to December 2025 plus 6 DipNB papers — 1,140 questions in total — with repeat-question tracking, examiner keywords and MCQs.

Jump to: December 2025 · June 2025 · Important topics · Older papers

DNB Anaesthesia December 2025 Question Paper

Paper 1

  1. a) Draw a well labelled diagram of brachial plexus. [5] b) Enumerate the different routes of brachial plexus block. What are the possible complications of interscalene block? [1+4]
  2. a) How is carbon dioxide transported in the blood? [5] b) What is Haldane effect? How is it related to the Bohr effect? [3+2]
  3. a) What is diffusion capacity of lung? What are the factors which affect the diffusing capacity? [2+3] b) What are the factors which influence respiratory function during anaesthesia? [5]
  4. a) What are the anaesthetic techniques using opioids? List the different routes of applications of opioids. [3+3] b) What are the factors which affect the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of opioids? [4]
  5. a) Define cardiac output. What are the factors affecting cardiac output? [1+4] b) Write briefly about the non-invasive methods of cardiac output measurement. [5]
  6. a) What are the unique physical properties of desflurane which require a special type of vaporiser? What are the factors which influence desflurane vaporiser output? [3+2] b) What are volatile anaesthetic reflectors? Where are they used? [5]
  7. a) Define cerebral perfusion pressure. Write briefly about Cushing's triad of ICP. [2+3] b) Describe the blood supply of spinal cord. [5]
  8. a) What is p-value? How do you interpret it? [2+3] b) What do you understand by odds ratio? When is it used? [5]
  9. a) What issues are involved in informed consent? What is informed refusal? [3+2] b) What are the ethical issues involved in end of life decision making? [5]
  10. a) Describe the events that result in nerve action potential. [5] b) Discuss about the mechanism of action of local anesthetic agents. [5]

Paper 2

  1. Describe the physiology and mechanism of action of trans-nasal humidified rapid insufflation ventilatory exchange (THRIVE). Enumerate its uses. [(4+3)+3]
  2. a) What is the pathophysiology of haemorrhagic shock? [4] b) What are the risks of aggressive volume replacement during early resuscitation? [3] c) What are the advantages of regional anaesthesia for trauma? [3]
  3. a) What is anaesthetic triggering in malignant hyperthermia? What are the syndromes associated with malignant hyperthermia? [2+3] b) Summarise the acute management for malignant hyperthermia. [5]
  4. a) Post extubation respiratory distress. [5] b) Bronchial blockers. [5]
  5. a) Supine hypotension syndrome. [5] b) Hematological changes during pregnancy and its anesthetic implications. [5]
  6. a) Neurophysiologic monitoring in scoliosis. [5] b) Diastolic dysfunction and its anesthetic implications. [5]
  7. Describe perioperative anaesthetic considerations and perioperative management for a three day old child scheduled for congenital diaphragmatic repair. [5+5]
  8. a) Spinal additives. [5] b) List the neurological complications of spinal anaesthesia. What are the factors which affect post dural puncture headache? [3+2]
  9. Discuss the preoperative optimization, intraoperative and postoperative anesthetic management of a thirty-year-old patient scheduled for bariatric surgery. [3+4+3]
  10. a) What are the autonomic changes in spinal cord transection? [5] b) Perioperative and anaesthesia neurotoxicity in children. [5]

Paper 3

  1. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of opioid free anaesthesia and enumerate the various techniques used for it. [5+5]
  2. a) What are the risk factors for postoperative hepatobiliary complications? [5] b) Aetiology of post operative jaundice. [5]
  3. a) Hypothyroidism and anaesthetic implications. [5] b) Dexamethasone in anaesthesia practice. [5]
  4. a) Problems encountered after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB)'. [5] b) Low cardiac output syndrome after CPB and its treatment. [5]
  5. a) Indications for hyperbaric oxygen therapy. [5] b) Side effects of hyperbaric therapy. [5]
  6. Define lethal triad for trauma patient. Write briefly about damage control resuscitation and damage control surgery. [2+(4+4)]
  7. Discuss the anaesthetic implications of a patient scheduled for posterior cranial fossa surgery. Describe various methods to detect and treat venous air embolism. [5+5]
  8. A twenty-five-year-old primigravida with 34 weeks gestation with severe pre-eclampsia is scheduled for caesarian section. Discuss the anaesthetic implications and management. [5+5]
  9. a) Hypoxemia during one lung ventilation. [5] b) Blood conservation strategies during surgery. [5]
  10. a) Risk factors for post operative cognitive dysfunction after non cardiac surgery. [5] b) Management of airway fires. [5]

Paper 4

  1. a) Abdominal compartment syndrome. [5] b) High anion gap metabolic acidosis. [5]
  2. a) What are the indications for tracheostomy in ICU? [3] b) Care of tracheostomy in ICU. [3] c) Complications of tracheostomy. [4]
  3. Describe the pathophysiology, diagnosis, clinical features and current guidelines in the management of ARDS. [2+2+2+4]
  4. a) Weaning criteria in ICU. [5] b) HACOR scoring for non-invasive ventilation. [5]
  5. a) Nosocomial infections in ICU. [5] b) Hyponatremia and its management in ICU. [5]
  6. a) Neurogenic claudication and its management. [5] b) Role of N-methyl D aspartate receptors in pain. [5]
  7. a) Portal hypertension. [5] b) Anticoagulation in the ICU. [5]
  8. Pathophysiology and the management of central line associated bloodstream infection. [5+5]
  9. a) Define hypertensive emergency. Discuss the pathophysiology of hypertensive emergency. [2+2] b) Discuss the relative advantages and disadvantages of sodium nitroprusside, nitroglycerin and labetalol in hypertensive crisis. [6]
  10. a) Draw the algorithm for the management of an adult patient with pulseless electrical activity. [5] b) Discuss the post cardiac arrest intensive care. [5]

DNB Anaesthesia June 2025 Question Paper

Paper 1

  1. a) Draw a well labelled diagram of the neuromuscular junction. [4] b) Enumerate any four techniques of neuromuscular monitoring. Write briefly about any one technique with special reference to its clinical indication. [2+4]
  2. a) What are the advantages and disadvantages of the closed breathing circuit? [5] b) Describe the Mapleson D circuit and give its functional analysis. [5]
  3. a) What are the anesthetic concerns of intra-operative hypothermia? [3] b) What are the mechanisms that lead to hypothermia during anesthesia? [4] c) Discuss the strategies for preventing intraoperative hypothermia. [3]
  4. a) Explain the physiology of ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) matching in the various zones of the lungs. [5] b) What happens to V/Q ratio during one lung anesthesia? [2] c) Discuss the effect of changes in functional residual capacity and dead space ventilation on ventilation perfusion matching. [3]
  5. a) What is power analysis and why is it important when designing a clinical trial? [4] b) What is the significance of P value? [3] c) What is a normal distribution curve? [3]
  6. a) The importance of accurate and detailed anaesthesia documentation. [5] b) Role of audit and feedback in anaesthesia practice. [5]
  7. a) Write briefly about the oxygen cascade with the help of a well labelled diagram. [3] b) What are the various techniques/devices used for oxygenation? [4] c) Apneic oxygenation. [3]
  8. a) What are the complications of massive blood transfusion? [6] b) Briefly discuss fibrinogen replacement therapy. [4]
  9. a) Buffer systems in the body. [5] b) Mechanism of action of local anaesthetics. [5]
  10. a) When does the neonatal pattern of circulation convert to an adult circulation in the pediatric patient? [4] b) What is transitional circulation and what are the intra-operative factors that can affect the conversion of a neonatal circulation to an adult circulation? [2+4]

Paper 2

  1. A 6-year-old child is posted for release of contracture of front of neck following burns sustained three months back. On examination, the neck extension is limited and the mouth opening is two finger breadth. a) What are the anesthetic concerns in this child? [5] b) Discuss the anesthesia technique with special reference to airway management. [5]
  2. a) Indications for stellate ganglion block. [3] b) Describe the technique with help of a diagram. [3] c) Discuss complications of stellate ganglion block. [4]
  3. a) Anesthesia concerns in laser surgery. [5] b) Six minute walk test. [5]
  4. a) Risk factors and management of post operative nausea and vomiting. [5] b) Management of ventricular tachycardia. [5]
  5. Describe the anesthetic concerns and management in a 50-year-old male with alcoholic cirrhosis and portal hypertension, who is posted for open reduction and internal fixation of fracture of both bone of forearm. [5+5]
  6. a) Erector spinae plane nerve block. [5] b) Post operative jaundice. [5]
  7. a) Enumerate the causes and management of inadequate reversal of anesthesia. [5] b) Target controlled infusion. [5]
  8. A 65-year-old patient with diabetes mellitus, controlled on oral hypoglycemic drugs, is scheduled for open hernia repair as a day care patient. Discuss anesthetic management and criteria for discharge of this patient. [5+5]
  9. a) What are the various methods of pre-operative cardiac risk stratification in a patient with cardiac disease posted for non cardiac surgery. [5] b) Discuss any one scoring system for cardiac risk stratification. [5]
  10. A 75-year-old patient is posted for TURP surgery under spinal anesthesia. Enumerate complications that can occur intra-operatively. Discuss their clinical presentation and management. [2+4+4]

Paper 3

  1. A 54-year-old lady with a large thyroid swelling and retrosternal extension with hyperthyroidism is posted for total thyroidectomy. a) Discuss the pre-operative assessment and airway management in this patient. [5] b) Describe the clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of post thyroidectomy tracheomalacia. [5]
  2. A 26-year-old lady with 24 weeks pregnancy is posted for laparoscopic appendicectomy following acute appendicitis. a) Which trimester of pregnancy is considered to be the safest for a non obstetric surgery in a pregnant patient and why? [1+2] b) Discuss the anesthetic management of this patient. [7]
  3. A 2-year-old child posted for cleft palate repair surgery. Discuss: a) The pre-operative assessment. [3] b) Anesthetic management [5] c) Post operative analgesia [2]
  4. Discuss the pre-operative optimization of a 70-year-old hypertensive patient posted for total hip replacement. Write briefly about the anticipated intraoperative complications and their management. [2+4+4]
  5. Briefly discuss management of: a) Diabetic ketoacidosis. [5] b) Intra-operative bronchospasm. [5]
  6. a) Cardioplegia. [5] b) Trans-esophageal echocardiography application in anesthesia. [5]
  7. a) Adductor canal block. [5] b) Three legged stool test. [5]
  8. Discuss the anesthetic concerns, preoperative preparation and anesthetic management in a 60-year-old male patient with a permanent pacemaker posted for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. [3+2+5]
  9. What are the indications, physiological effects and technique of insertion of intra-aortic balloon pump? [4+3+3]
  10. a) Ambulatory labor analgesia. [5] b) Sensory evoked potential. [5]

Paper 4

  1. a) What are the different methods to assess pain in a pediatric patient? [6] b) Describe any one score for post operative pain assessment in the pediatric patient. [4]
  2. a) Continuous renal replacement therapy. [5] b) Use of magnesium in anaesthesia and ICU. [5]
  3. a) Describe acute kidney injury and its assessment in the critical care unit. [5] b) Discuss the management of 50-year-old admitted in ICU with flail chest. [5]
  4. a) Role of simulators in anesthesia training. [5] b) Depth of analgesia monitoring. [5]
  5. a) Programmed intermittent epidural bolus technique. [5] b) Remimazolam. [5]
  6. a) What is ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP)? [2] b) How can it be prevented? [4] c) Discuss the management of VAP. [4]
  7. a) WHO ladder for cancer pain management. [5] b) qSOFA score. [5]
  8. a) What is EXIT procedure? [3] b) How would you manage anaesthesia for intrauterine fetal surgery? [7]
  9. a) Enumerate the causes of acute hepatic failure. [3] b) What are the principles of management of acute hepatic failure in the ICU? [7]
  10. a) What is complex regional pain syndrome? [5] b) Discuss the treatment of complex regional pain syndrome. [5]

High-Yield DNB Anaesthesia Topics

A selection of 30 of the 94 important topics curated in the app from repeated DNB Anaesthesia questions.

Preoperative assessment & monitoring standards

  • Preoperative anaesthesia check-up: objectives, optimization, fasting guidelines
  • ASA Physical Status Classification: grades, examples, perioperative risk
  • Minimum monitoring standards: ECG, NIBP, SpO2, capnography, temperature

Airway management (highest yield)

  • Difficult airway: predictors (LEMON, MOANS), AIDAA/unanticipated difficult airway algorithms
  • Difficult mask ventilation: predictors and stepwise management plan
  • Awake fibreoptic intubation: indications, technique, airway blocks (transtracheal, superior laryngeal)

Oxygenation, ventilation physiology & capnography

  • Oxygen haemoglobin dissociation curve: diagram, left/right shift factors, clinical significance
  • Oxygen cascade / oxygen flux / oxygen content of arterial blood
  • Functional Residual Capacity (FRC): definition, factors affecting, anaesthetic implications

General anaesthesia agents & depth monitoring

  • Inhalational agents: sevoflurane vs desflurane vs isoflurane (MAC, solubility, side effects)
  • Intravenous induction agents: propofol vs etomidate vs ketamine vs thiopentone
  • TIVA and target-controlled infusion (TCI): principles, advantages, applications

Local anaesthetics & regional anaesthesia

  • Local anaesthetic mechanism of action, additives, and systemic toxicity (LAST): signs, lipid rescue
  • Spinal anaesthesia: baricity, level, complications; spinal-induced hypotension and management
  • Epidural anaesthesia: test dose, complications, labour analgesia techniques

Obstetric anaesthesia

  • Physiological changes in pregnancy: cardiovascular, respiratory, GI, haematological; anaesthetic implications
  • Anaesthesia for LSCS: spinal vs epidural vs GA, supine hypotension syndrome, oxytocin effects
  • Preeclampsia/eclampsia/HELLP: anaesthetic management, magnesium toxicity, airway concerns

Paediatric anaesthesia

  • Neonatal anaesthesia: airway differences, temperature regulation, fluid management, fasting
  • Anaesthesia for common neonatal surgeries: TEF, CDH, meningomyelocele, pyloric stenosis
  • Postoperative pain in children: assessment tools, caudal/epidural, multimodal analgesia

Cardiothoracic & vascular anaesthesia

  • One-lung ventilation: indications, DLT/bronchial blockers, hypoxaemia management, HPV
  • Off-pump CABG and aortic cross-clamping: haemodynamic changes and management
  • Cardiac pacemaker/ICD: perioperative management, magnet use, reprogramming

Neuroanaesthesia

  • Intracranial pressure (ICP): monitoring, management of tight brain, cerebral perfusion pressure
  • Cerebral autoregulation: mechanism, effect of anaesthetic agents, clinical implications
  • Sitting position anaesthesia: venous air embolism (detection, management), postural hypotension

Critical care & ICU ventilation

  • ARDS: Berlin definition, lung-protective ventilation, proning, ECMO indications
  • Mechanical ventilation: modes (VCV, PCV, SIMV, PSV, APRV), indications, complications
  • Ventilator-induced lung injury and permissive hypercapnia

Older DNB Anaesthesia Question Papers & DipNB Papers

The remaining 28 papers are available in the Prep DNB app, organized paper-wise with repeat-question tracking.

Get all 30 papers in the app

Previous Year Questions for Other DNB Subjects