Respiratory medicine: ARDS Berlin definition: practice question

A General Medicine 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.

Try it

General Medicine · Respiratory medicine: ARDS Berlin definition

Sample item

A patient with sepsis develops bilateral opacities within 3 days. PaO2 is 80 mmHg on FiO2 0.8 with PEEP 8 cm H2O, and echo shows normal left ventricular function. How is the severity classified?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Severe ARDS, as PaO2/FiO2 is 100

The PaO2/FiO2 ratio is 80 divided by 0.8, which equals 100. Berlin criteria with PEEP of at least 5 grade mild as 200-300, moderate as 100-200 and severe as 100 or less. The ratio of exactly 100 falls at the severe boundary.

Option by option

  • A. Not ARDS because PaO2 is above 60

    ARDS is defined by the ratio, not by PaO2 alone.

  • B. Severe ARDS, as PaO2/FiO2 is 100 (correct)

    Correct. A ratio of 100 meets the severe category.

  • C. Mild ARDS

    Mild requires a ratio above 200.

  • D. Moderate ARDS

    Moderate requires a ratio above 100.

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 General Medicine questions

Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is B, Severe ARDS, as PaO2/FiO2 is 100. The PaO2/FiO2 ratio is 80 divided by 0.

Why is "Not ARDS because PaO2 is above 60" not the answer?

ARDS is defined by the ratio, not by PaO2 alone.

Why is "Mild ARDS" not the answer?

Mild requires a ratio above 200.

Why is "Moderate ARDS" not the answer?

Moderate requires a ratio above 100.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Respiratory medicine: ARDS Berlin definition in General Medicine. 8, which equals 100. Berlin criteria with PEEP of at least 5 grade mild as 200-300, moderate as 100-200 and severe as 100 or less. The ratio of exactly 100 falls at the severe boundary.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Respiratory medicine: ARDS Berlin definition?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine 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.