Hematology: sickle cell disease: 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: sickle cell disease

Sample item

A child with sickle cell disease has fever, chest pain, cough, hypoxia, and a new pulmonary infiltrate. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Acute chest syndrome

Acute chest syndrome is a life-threatening sickle cell complication defined by a new lung infiltrate with respiratory symptoms or fever. It requires urgent assessment, oxygenation support, antimicrobials as indicated, and specialist management.

Option by option

  • A. Simple viral rhinitis

    Rhinitis does not create new lung infiltrate and hypoxia.

  • B. Intussusception

    Intussusception causes bowel obstruction symptoms.

  • C. Nephrotic syndrome

    Nephrotic syndrome causes edema and proteinuria.

  • D. Acute chest syndrome (correct)

    Correct. New infiltrate plus respiratory symptoms in sickle disease is acute chest syndrome.

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 D, Acute chest syndrome. Acute chest syndrome is a life-threatening sickle cell complication defined by a new lung infiltrate with respiratory symptoms or fever.

Why is "Simple viral rhinitis" not the answer?

Rhinitis does not create new lung infiltrate and hypoxia.

Why is "Intussusception" not the answer?

Intussusception causes bowel obstruction symptoms.

Why is "Nephrotic syndrome" not the answer?

Nephrotic syndrome causes edema and proteinuria.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hematology: sickle cell disease in Pediatrics. It requires urgent assessment, oxygenation support, antimicrobials as indicated, and specialist management.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: sickle cell disease?

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.