Chest radiography: practice question

A Radiology 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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Radiology · Chest radiography

Sample item

Which radiographic sign most strongly indicates free intraperitoneal air in an erect patient?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Subdiaphragmatic crescent of lucency

Free intraperitoneal gas rises beneath the diaphragm on an erect chest radiograph and can indicate perforation of a hollow abdominal viscus.

Option by option

  • A. Subdiaphragmatic crescent of lucency (correct)

    Correct: free gas collects beneath the diaphragm when upright.

  • B. Diffuse bilateral hilar enlargement

    Hilar enlargement suggests a different thoracic process.

  • C. Widened mediastinum

    Mediastinal widening has other causes including vascular injury.

  • D. Kerley B lines at the bases

    Kerley B lines indicate interstitial oedema.

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 Radiology questions

Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is A, Subdiaphragmatic crescent of lucency. Free intraperitoneal gas rises beneath the diaphragm on an erect chest radiograph and can indicate perforation of a hollow abdominal viscus.

Why is "Diffuse bilateral hilar enlargement" not the answer?

Hilar enlargement suggests a different thoracic process.

Why is "Widened mediastinum" not the answer?

Mediastinal widening has other causes including vascular injury.

Why is "Kerley B lines at the bases" not the answer?

Kerley B lines indicate interstitial oedema.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chest radiography in Radiology. The correct option holds because: Correct: free gas collects beneath the diaphragm when upright.

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 Chest radiography?

Learn signs with the image, and the disease they point to. Then use the flashcards and the other Radiology 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.