Hematology: acute lymphoblastic leukemia: practice question

A Pediatrics 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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Pediatrics · Hematology: acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Sample item

A child has pallor, bruising, bone pain, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and pancytopenia. What diagnosis should be urgently considered?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia can infiltrate marrow and organs, causing anemia, thrombocytopenia, bone pain, lymphadenopathy, and hepatosplenomegaly. It needs urgent hematology assessment.

Option by option

  • A. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (correct)

    Correct. Combined marrow failure and organ infiltration are concerning for ALL.

  • B. Iron deficiency only

    Iron deficiency does not explain thrombocytopenia, bone pain, and hepatosplenomegaly.

  • C. Immune thrombocytopenia alone

    ITP causes isolated thrombocytopenia rather than pancytopenia.

  • D. Simple viral exanthem

    A viral exanthem does not produce this progressive marrow-failure pattern.

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 Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is A, Acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia can infiltrate marrow and organs, causing anemia, thrombocytopenia, bone pain, lymphadenopathy, and hepatosplenomegaly.

Why is "Iron deficiency only" not the answer?

Iron deficiency does not explain thrombocytopenia, bone pain, and hepatosplenomegaly.

Why is "Immune thrombocytopenia alone" not the answer?

ITP causes isolated thrombocytopenia rather than pancytopenia.

Why is "Simple viral exanthem" not the answer?

A viral exanthem does not produce this progressive marrow-failure pattern.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hematology: acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Pediatrics. It needs urgent hematology assessment.

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 Hematology: acute lymphoblastic leukemia?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics 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.