Paediatric emergencies: testicular torsion: practice question

A Pediatrics 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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Pediatrics · Paediatric emergencies: testicular torsion

Sample item

A 14-year-old boy awakens with sudden severe left scrotal pain, nausea, a high-riding horizontal testis and absent cremasteric reflex. What is the correct management?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Immediate surgical exploration, ideally within 6 hours of onset

Testicular torsion is a surgical emergency, and testicular salvage is highest if detorsion occurs within 6 hours. When suspicion is high, exploration should not be delayed for imaging, and the contralateral testis is fixed.

Option by option

  • A. Immediate surgical exploration, ideally within 6 hours of onset (correct)

    Correct. Prompt exploration saves the testis.

  • B. Wait for a scrotal ultrasound for several hours before deciding

    Delay for imaging reduces salvage.

  • C. Antibiotics and review after 48 hours

    Antibiotics treat epididymitis, not torsion.

  • D. Scrotal support and analgesia only

    Analgesia alone leads to testicular loss.

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.

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Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is A, Immediate surgical exploration, ideally within 6 hours of onset. Testicular torsion is a surgical emergency, and testicular salvage is highest if detorsion occurs within 6 hours.

Why is "Wait for a scrotal ultrasound for several hours before deciding" not the answer?

Delay for imaging reduces salvage.

Why is "Antibiotics and review after 48 hours" not the answer?

Antibiotics treat epididymitis, not torsion.

Why is "Scrotal support and analgesia only" not the answer?

Analgesia alone leads to testicular loss.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric emergencies: testicular torsion in Pediatrics. When suspicion is high, exploration should not be delayed for imaging, and the contralateral testis is fixed.

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 Paediatric emergencies: testicular torsion?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics 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.