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

Which investigation confirms monosodium urate crystals in suspected acute gout?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Polarized microscopy of aspirated joint fluid

Synovial fluid microscopy demonstrating negatively birefringent monosodium urate crystals confirms gout and also allows assessment for septic arthritis, which must not be missed in an acutely inflamed joint.

Option by option

  • A. Polarized microscopy of aspirated joint fluid (correct)

    Correct: crystal analysis of joint fluid establishes the diagnosis.

  • B. Plain chest radiography

    Chest radiography does not identify crystals in an inflamed joint.

  • C. Serum sodium measurement

    Serum sodium has no diagnostic role for gout crystals.

  • D. Faecal occult blood testing

    Faecal occult blood testing evaluates gastrointestinal bleeding, not arthritis.

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 A, Polarized microscopy of aspirated joint fluid. Synovial fluid microscopy demonstrating negatively birefringent monosodium urate crystals confirms gout and also allows assessment for septic arthritis, which must not be missed in an acutely inflamed joint.

Why is "Plain chest radiography" not the answer?

Chest radiography does not identify crystals in an inflamed joint.

Why is "Serum sodium measurement" not the answer?

Serum sodium has no diagnostic role for gout crystals.

Why is "Faecal occult blood testing" not the answer?

Faecal occult blood testing evaluates gastrointestinal bleeding, not arthritis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Rheumatology in General Medicine. The correct option holds because: Correct: crystal analysis of joint fluid establishes the diagnosis.

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.