Breast surgery: nipple discharge: practice question

A General Surgery 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 Surgery · Breast surgery: nipple discharge

Sample item

Which nipple discharge pattern is most concerning and warrants breast assessment?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Spontaneous unilateral bloody discharge from a single duct

Spontaneous unilateral single-duct bloody discharge can reflect intraductal papilloma or malignancy and requires targeted assessment. Physiologic discharge is usually bilateral and multiductal.

Option by option

  • A. Clear sweat from surrounding skin

    Sweat from skin is not nipple duct discharge.

  • B. Spontaneous unilateral bloody discharge from a single duct (correct)

    Correct. This is pathologic discharge until evaluated.

  • C. Bilateral milky discharge during lactation

    Milk production in lactation is commonly physiologic.

  • D. Small amount of discharge only after squeezing both breasts

    Provoked bilateral multiduct discharge is less concerning in the appropriate context.

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 Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is B, Spontaneous unilateral bloody discharge from a single duct. Spontaneous unilateral single-duct bloody discharge can reflect intraductal papilloma or malignancy and requires targeted assessment.

Why is "Clear sweat from surrounding skin" not the answer?

Sweat from skin is not nipple duct discharge.

Why is "Bilateral milky discharge during lactation" not the answer?

Milk production in lactation is commonly physiologic.

Why is "Small amount of discharge only after squeezing both breasts" not the answer?

Provoked bilateral multiduct discharge is less concerning in the appropriate context.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Breast surgery: nipple discharge in General Surgery. Physiologic discharge is usually bilateral and multiductal.

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 Breast surgery: nipple discharge?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery 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.