Hepatology: 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 · Hepatology

Sample item

Which feature most suggests hepatic encephalopathy in a patient with advanced cirrhosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Flapping tremor with altered attention

Hepatic encephalopathy causes fluctuating cognition and may produce asterixis because impaired hepatic clearance permits neurotoxins to affect brain function; precipitants such as infection or bleeding must be sought.

Option by option

  • A. Isolated painless haematuria

    Haematuria localizes to the urinary tract rather than hepatic dysfunction.

  • B. Flapping tremor with altered attention (correct)

    Correct: asterixis and altered attention fit hepatic encephalopathy.

  • C. Localized itchy rash only

    An isolated rash does not describe hepatic encephalopathy.

  • D. Fixed unilateral pupil after trauma

    A fixed pupil suggests an urgent neurological or ocular problem instead.

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 B, Flapping tremor with altered attention. Hepatic encephalopathy causes fluctuating cognition and may produce asterixis because impaired hepatic clearance permits neurotoxins to affect brain function; precipitants such as infection or bleeding must be sought.

Why is "Isolated painless haematuria" not the answer?

Haematuria localizes to the urinary tract rather than hepatic dysfunction.

Why is "Localized itchy rash only" not the answer?

An isolated rash does not describe hepatic encephalopathy.

Why is "Fixed unilateral pupil after trauma" not the answer?

A fixed pupil suggests an urgent neurological or ocular problem instead.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hepatology in General Medicine. The correct option holds because: Correct: asterixis and altered attention fit hepatic encephalopathy.

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 Hepatology?

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.