Rheumatology: practice question

A General Medicine 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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General Medicine · Rheumatology

Sample item

What polarized-light finding supports pseudogout?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Rhomboid positively birefringent crystals

Pseudogout results from calcium pyrophosphate deposition, which appears as rhomboid-shaped positively birefringent crystals in synovial fluid microscopy.

Option by option

  • A. Calcium oxalate crystals

    Calcium oxalate crystals are not the characteristic pseudogout finding.

  • B. Cholesterol crystals

    Cholesterol crystals do not define pseudogout.

  • C. Rhomboid positively birefringent crystals (correct)

    Correct: calcium pyrophosphate crystals are rhomboid and positively birefringent.

  • D. Needle negatively birefringent crystals

    Needle-shaped negatively birefringent crystals indicate gout.

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 General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is C, Rhomboid positively birefringent crystals. Pseudogout results from calcium pyrophosphate deposition, which appears as rhomboid-shaped positively birefringent crystals in synovial fluid microscopy.

Why is "Calcium oxalate crystals" not the answer?

Calcium oxalate crystals are not the characteristic pseudogout finding.

Why is "Cholesterol crystals" not the answer?

Cholesterol crystals do not define pseudogout.

Why is "Needle negatively birefringent crystals" not the answer?

Needle-shaped negatively birefringent crystals indicate gout.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Rheumatology in General Medicine. The correct option holds because: Correct: calcium pyrophosphate crystals are rhomboid and positively birefringent.

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 Rheumatology?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine 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.