Haematology: hydroxyurea in sickle cell disease: practice question

A Pharmacology 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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Pharmacology · Haematology: hydroxyurea in sickle cell disease

Sample item

A child with sickle cell anaemia has frequent painful crises. Which drug reduces crises by raising fetal haemoglobin?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Hydroxyurea

Hydroxyurea inhibits ribonucleotide reductase and increases HbF production, which interferes with sickling and lowers crisis frequency and acute chest syndrome. Myelosuppression is its main toxicity.

Option by option

  • A. Deferasirox

    Deferasirox is a chelator.

  • B. Hydroxyurea (correct)

    Correct. Hydroxyurea raises HbF.

  • C. Folic acid alone

    Folic acid supports erythropoiesis but does not alter sickling.

  • D. Aspirin

    Aspirin is not a disease-modifying agent.

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 Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is B, Hydroxyurea. Hydroxyurea inhibits ribonucleotide reductase and increases HbF production, which interferes with sickling and lowers crisis frequency and acute chest syndrome.

Why is "Deferasirox" not the answer?

Deferasirox is a chelator.

Why is "Folic acid alone" not the answer?

Folic acid supports erythropoiesis but does not alter sickling.

Why is "Aspirin" not the answer?

Aspirin is not a disease-modifying agent.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Haematology: hydroxyurea in sickle cell disease in Pharmacology. Myelosuppression is its main toxicity.

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 Haematology: hydroxyurea in sickle cell disease?

Learn drugs as classes, then the exception in each class that an examiner would pick. Then use the flashcards and the other Pharmacology 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.