Medical disorders in pregnancy: acute pancreatitis: practice question

A OBG 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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OBG · Medical disorders in pregnancy: acute pancreatitis

Sample item

A woman at 34 weeks presents with severe epigastric pain radiating to the back, vomiting and a markedly raised serum amylase. What is the most common cause in pregnancy?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Gallstones

Gallstones are the commonest cause of acute pancreatitis in pregnancy, which is most often seen in the third trimester or early puerperium. Hypertriglyceridaemia is a less common cause. Management is supportive with fluids, analgesia and bowel rest.

Option by option

  • A. Hypertriglyceridaemia

    Hypertriglyceridaemia can cause pancreatitis but is less frequent.

  • B. Gallstones (correct)

    Correct. Biliary disease leads most cases.

  • C. Alcohol

    Alcohol is a less common cause in pregnant women.

  • D. Hyperparathyroidism

    Hyperparathyroidism is a rare cause.

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 OBG questions

Questions about this OBG question

What is the answer to this OBG question?

The best answer is B, Gallstones. Gallstones are the commonest cause of acute pancreatitis in pregnancy, which is most often seen in the third trimester or early puerperium.

Why is "Hypertriglyceridaemia" not the answer?

Hypertriglyceridaemia can cause pancreatitis but is less frequent.

Why is "Alcohol" not the answer?

Alcohol is a less common cause in pregnant women.

Why is "Hyperparathyroidism" not the answer?

Hyperparathyroidism is a rare cause.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Medical disorders in pregnancy: acute pancreatitis in OBG. Hypertriglyceridaemia is a less common cause. Management is supportive with fluids, analgesia and bowel rest.

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 Medical disorders in pregnancy: acute pancreatitis?

Learn management algorithms as steps: PPH, eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy. Then use the flashcards and the other OBG 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.