Gastroenterology: 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.

Try it

General Medicine · Gastroenterology

Sample item

In a patient with cirrhosis and new tense ascites, which procedure helps evaluate spontaneous bacterial peritonitis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Diagnostic ascitic fluid paracentesis

Diagnostic paracentesis allows ascitic fluid cell count and culture assessment; it is important in cirrhosis because spontaneous bacterial peritonitis may present subtly but requires prompt antimicrobial treatment.

Option by option

  • A. Barium swallow

    A barium swallow evaluates oesophageal swallowing problems.

  • B. Diagnostic ascitic fluid paracentesis (correct)

    Correct: ascitic fluid sampling directly assesses for peritoneal infection.

  • C. Exercise ECG

    An exercise ECG assesses inducible cardiac ischemia.

  • D. Skin-prick testing

    Skin-prick testing assesses immediate allergic sensitization.

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 General Medicine questions

Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is B, Diagnostic ascitic fluid paracentesis. Diagnostic paracentesis allows ascitic fluid cell count and culture assessment; it is important in cirrhosis because spontaneous bacterial peritonitis may present subtly but requires prompt antimicrobial treatment.

Why is "Barium swallow" not the answer?

A barium swallow evaluates oesophageal swallowing problems.

Why is "Exercise ECG" not the answer?

An exercise ECG assesses inducible cardiac ischemia.

Why is "Skin-prick testing" not the answer?

Skin-prick testing assesses immediate allergic sensitization.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Gastroenterology in General Medicine. The correct option holds because: Correct: ascitic fluid sampling directly assesses for peritoneal infection.

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 Gastroenterology?

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.