Fluid management: practice question

A General Surgery 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.

Try it

General Surgery · Fluid management

Sample item

What combination can suggest postoperative fluid overload?

AReduced body weightBDry mucous membranes onlyCAbsent jugular venous pressureDPeripheral edema with lung crackles

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Peripheral edema with lung crackles

Excess intravascular and interstitial fluid may cause peripheral edema and pulmonary crackles, particularly when cardiac or renal reserve is limited.

Option by option

A. Reduced body weight
Fluid overload usually increases rather than reduces body weight.
B. Dry mucous membranes only
Dry mucosa more often suggests dehydration.
C. Absent jugular venous pressure
Low jugular venous pressure does not support volume overload.
D. Peripheral edema with lung crackles (correct)
Correct: edema plus crackles can indicate excess fluid.

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.

Questions about this General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is D, Peripheral edema with lung crackles. Excess intravascular and interstitial fluid may cause peripheral edema and pulmonary crackles, particularly when cardiac or renal reserve is limited.

Why is "Reduced body weight" not the answer?

Fluid overload usually increases rather than reduces body weight.

Why is "Dry mucous membranes only" not the answer?

Dry mucosa more often suggests dehydration.

Why is "Absent jugular venous pressure" not the answer?

Low jugular venous pressure does not support volume overload.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Fluid management in General Surgery. The correct option holds because: Correct: edema plus crackles can indicate excess fluid.

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 Fluid management?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery 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.