Trauma imaging: urethral injury: practice question

A Radiology 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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Radiology · Trauma imaging: urethral injury

Sample item

A man with a pelvic fracture has blood at the external meatus, inability to void and a high-riding prostate. What should be done before attempting urethral catheterisation?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Retrograde urethrogram

A pelvic fracture with these signs suggests posterior urethral injury, and passing a catheter can convert a partial tear into a complete one. A retrograde urethrogram shows extravasation and the extent of the tear before the urinary tract is drained, often suprapubically.

Option by option

  • A. Retrograde urethrogram (correct)

    Correct. Urethrography precedes catheterisation when urethral injury is suspected.

  • B. Immediate blind catheterisation

    Blind catheterisation risks worsening the tear.

  • C. Plain abdominal radiograph only

    A plain film shows fractures but not the urethra.

  • D. Intravenous urogram only

    An IVU does not show the urethra.

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 Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is A, Retrograde urethrogram. A pelvic fracture with these signs suggests posterior urethral injury, and passing a catheter can convert a partial tear into a complete one.

Why is "Immediate blind catheterisation" not the answer?

Blind catheterisation risks worsening the tear.

Why is "Plain abdominal radiograph only" not the answer?

A plain film shows fractures but not the urethra.

Why is "Intravenous urogram only" not the answer?

An IVU does not show the urethra.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Trauma imaging: urethral injury in Radiology. A retrograde urethrogram shows extravasation and the extent of the tear before the urinary tract is drained, often suprapubically.

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 Trauma imaging: urethral injury?

Learn signs with the image, and the disease they point to. Then use the flashcards and the other Radiology 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.