Bone infection: osteomyelitis: practice question

A Orthopaedics 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.

Try it

Orthopaedics · Bone infection: osteomyelitis

Sample item

A child has fever, localized bone pain, refusal to use a limb, and elevated inflammatory markers. Which diagnosis should be considered urgently?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis

Acute osteomyelitis in children may cause focal bone pain, fever, and refusal to bear weight or use a limb. Blood cultures, imaging, and early antimicrobial treatment are important.

Option by option

  • A. Carpal tunnel syndrome

    Carpal tunnel syndrome is a wrist nerve entrapment disorder.

  • B. Simple growing pains

    Growing pains are bilateral, intermittent, and do not cause fever or focal tenderness.

  • C. Juvenile idiopathic scoliosis

    Scoliosis does not cause acute febrile limb pain.

  • D. Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis (correct)

    Correct. Systemic illness with focal bony tenderness is concerning for bone infection.

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 Orthopaedics questions

Questions about this Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is D, Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis. Acute osteomyelitis in children may cause focal bone pain, fever, and refusal to bear weight or use a limb.

Why is "Carpal tunnel syndrome" not the answer?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a wrist nerve entrapment disorder.

Why is "Simple growing pains" not the answer?

Growing pains are bilateral, intermittent, and do not cause fever or focal tenderness.

Why is "Juvenile idiopathic scoliosis" not the answer?

Scoliosis does not cause acute febrile limb pain.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Bone infection: osteomyelitis in Orthopaedics. Blood cultures, imaging, and early antimicrobial treatment are important.

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 Bone infection: osteomyelitis?

Pair each fracture with its classic complication and nerve injured. Then use the flashcards and the other Orthopaedics 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.