Endocrinology: adrenal crisis: 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 · Endocrinology: adrenal crisis

Sample item

A patient with chronic steroid use presents with hypotension, vomiting, hyponatraemia and hypoglycaemia during sepsis. What treatment should not be delayed?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Intravenous hydrocortisone

Suspected adrenal crisis is treated immediately with IV hydrocortisone and fluid resuscitation while the precipitating illness is managed.

Option by option

  • A. Desmopressin

    Desmopressin treats central diabetes insipidus.

  • B. Insulin infusion

    Insulin can worsen hypoglycaemia.

  • C. Intravenous hydrocortisone (correct)

    Correct. Cortisol replacement is lifesaving.

  • D. Levothyroxine

    Thyroid hormone is not acute adrenal-crisis treatment.

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 C, Intravenous hydrocortisone. Suspected adrenal crisis is treated immediately with IV hydrocortisone and fluid resuscitation while the precipitating illness is managed.

Why is "Desmopressin" not the answer?

Desmopressin treats central diabetes insipidus.

Why is "Insulin infusion" not the answer?

Insulin can worsen hypoglycaemia.

Why is "Levothyroxine" not the answer?

Thyroid hormone is not acute adrenal-crisis treatment.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Endocrinology: adrenal crisis in General Medicine. The correct option holds because: Correct. Cortisol replacement is lifesaving.

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 Endocrinology: adrenal crisis?

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.