Geriatric medicine: 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 · Geriatric medicine

Sample item

Which is a common atypical presentation of infection in an older adult?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Acute confusion or functional decline

Older adults may present with delirium, falls, or functional decline during infection, even when fever or localising symptoms are absent.

Option by option

  • A. Guaranteed high fever in every case

    Fever may be absent or blunted.

  • B. Sudden normal appetite only

    Normal appetite alone is not a reliable infection sign.

  • C. Improved mobility without treatment

    Untreated infection does not usually improve mobility.

  • D. Acute confusion or functional decline (correct)

    Correct: delirium can be an infection presentation in older adults.

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 D, Acute confusion or functional decline. Older adults may present with delirium, falls, or functional decline during infection, even when fever or localising symptoms are absent.

Why is "Guaranteed high fever in every case" not the answer?

Fever may be absent or blunted.

Why is "Sudden normal appetite only" not the answer?

Normal appetite alone is not a reliable infection sign.

Why is "Improved mobility without treatment" not the answer?

Untreated infection does not usually improve mobility.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Geriatric medicine in General Medicine. The correct option holds because: Correct: delirium can be an infection presentation in older adults.

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 Geriatric medicine?

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.