Haematology: immune thrombocytopenia: 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 · Haematology: immune thrombocytopenia

Sample item

A patient has isolated thrombocytopenia with petechiae and normal PT/aPTT after a viral illness. What is the likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Immune thrombocytopenia

ITP causes immune platelet destruction with mucocutaneous bleeding and isolated low platelets. Coagulation times are usually normal.

Option by option

  • A. Disseminated intravascular coagulation

    DIC prolongs coagulation tests and consumes fibrinogen.

  • B. Immune thrombocytopenia (correct)

    Correct. Isolated platelet loss after viral illness fits ITP.

  • C. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

    TTP includes microangiopathic haemolysis and organ findings.

  • D. Haemophilia A

    Haemophilia prolongs aPTT with normal platelets.

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 B, Immune thrombocytopenia. ITP causes immune platelet destruction with mucocutaneous bleeding and isolated low platelets.

Why is "Disseminated intravascular coagulation" not the answer?

DIC prolongs coagulation tests and consumes fibrinogen.

Why is "Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura" not the answer?

TTP includes microangiopathic haemolysis and organ findings.

Why is "Haemophilia A" not the answer?

Haemophilia prolongs aPTT with normal platelets.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Haematology: immune thrombocytopenia in General Medicine. Coagulation times are usually normal.

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 Haematology: immune thrombocytopenia?

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.