Eating disorders: Russell sign: practice question

A Psychiatry 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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Psychiatry · Eating disorders: Russell sign

Sample item

A 22-year-old woman has parotid swelling, dental enamel erosion and calluses on the dorsum of the hand. She is of normal weight. The calluses are called

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Russell sign, indicating self-induced vomiting in bulimia nervosa

Russell sign is a callus or abrasion on the knuckles caused by repeated contact with teeth during self-induced vomiting. Bulimia nervosa also shows parotid enlargement, dental erosion and electrolyte disturbance. Patients usually maintain a normal body weight.

Option by option

  • A. Heberden nodes

    Heberden nodes are bony swellings of the distal interphalangeal joints.

  • B. Janeway lesions

    Janeway lesions are painless palmar lesions in endocarditis.

  • C. Russell sign, indicating self-induced vomiting in bulimia nervosa (correct)

    Correct. Knuckle calluses from induced vomiting are Russell sign.

  • D. Osler nodes

    Osler nodes are painful fingertip nodules in endocarditis.

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 Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is C, Russell sign, indicating self-induced vomiting in bulimia nervosa. Russell sign is a callus or abrasion on the knuckles caused by repeated contact with teeth during self-induced vomiting.

Why is "Heberden nodes" not the answer?

Heberden nodes are bony swellings of the distal interphalangeal joints.

Why is "Janeway lesions" not the answer?

Janeway lesions are painless palmar lesions in endocarditis.

Why is "Osler nodes" not the answer?

Osler nodes are painful fingertip nodules in endocarditis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Eating disorders: Russell sign in Psychiatry. Bulimia nervosa also shows parotid enlargement, dental erosion and electrolyte disturbance. Patients usually maintain a normal body weight.

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 Eating disorders: Russell sign?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry 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.