Respiratory medicine: bronchiectasis: 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 · Respiratory medicine: bronchiectasis

Sample item

A patient has chronic daily productive cough with large volumes of purulent sputum, recurrent infections, and coarse crackles. What structural lung disease is likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis is irreversible dilatation of bronchi from recurrent infection and inflammation, leading to chronic sputum production and exacerbations. CT is used to confirm the diagnosis.

Option by option

  • A. Bronchiectasis (correct)

    Correct. Chronic purulent sputum and recurrent infection are typical bronchiectasis features.

  • B. Pneumothorax

    Pneumothorax causes acute pleuritic symptoms and reduced air entry.

  • C. Pulmonary edema

    Pulmonary edema produces crackles but not chronic purulent sputum.

  • D. Pulmonary fibrosis

    Fibrosis causes dry cough and fine crackles.

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 General Medicine questions

Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is A, Bronchiectasis. Bronchiectasis is irreversible dilatation of bronchi from recurrent infection and inflammation, leading to chronic sputum production and exacerbations.

Why is "Pneumothorax" not the answer?

Pneumothorax causes acute pleuritic symptoms and reduced air entry.

Why is "Pulmonary edema" not the answer?

Pulmonary edema produces crackles but not chronic purulent sputum.

Why is "Pulmonary fibrosis" not the answer?

Fibrosis causes dry cough and fine crackles.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Respiratory medicine: bronchiectasis in General Medicine. CT is used to confirm the diagnosis.

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 Respiratory medicine: bronchiectasis?

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.