Wrist injuries: practice question

A Orthopaedics 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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Orthopaedics · Wrist injuries

Sample item

What complication makes an untreated scaphoid fracture important?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Avascular necrosis

The scaphoid has a vulnerable retrograde blood supply, so missed fractures can progress to nonunion and avascular necrosis of the proximal fragment.

Option by option

  • A. Cataract

    Cataract is a lens opacity unrelated to wrist injury.

  • B. Otitis media

    Otitis media is middle-ear infection.

  • C. Pulmonary edema

    Pulmonary edema is not a scaphoid fracture complication.

  • D. Avascular necrosis (correct)

    Correct: scaphoid blood supply makes avascular necrosis a key risk.

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 Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is D, Avascular necrosis. The scaphoid has a vulnerable retrograde blood supply, so missed fractures can progress to nonunion and avascular necrosis of the proximal fragment.

Why is "Cataract" not the answer?

Cataract is a lens opacity unrelated to wrist injury.

Why is "Otitis media" not the answer?

Otitis media is middle-ear infection.

Why is "Pulmonary edema" not the answer?

Pulmonary edema is not a scaphoid fracture complication.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Wrist injuries in Orthopaedics. The correct option holds because: Correct: scaphoid blood supply makes avascular necrosis a key risk.

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 Wrist injuries?

Pair each fracture with its classic complication and nerve injured. Then use the flashcards and the other Orthopaedics 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.