Gastroenterology: spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: 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 · Gastroenterology: spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

Sample item

A patient with cirrhosis and ascites has fever, worsening encephalopathy, and ascitic fluid neutrophil count of 320 cells/mm3. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is diagnosed in ascites when the polymorphonuclear count is at least 250 cells/mm3, even if culture is negative. It requires prompt antibiotics and assessment for complications.

Option by option

  • A. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (correct)

    Correct. The ascitic neutrophil count meets the diagnostic threshold.

  • B. Hepatorenal syndrome only

    Hepatorenal syndrome is functional renal failure in advanced liver disease.

  • C. Uncomplicated portal hypertension

    Portal hypertension alone does not cause neutrophilic infected ascites.

  • D. Acute pancreatitis

    Pancreatitis has elevated pancreatic enzymes and different fluid findings.

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, Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is diagnosed in ascites when the polymorphonuclear count is at least 250 cells/mm3, even if culture is negative.

Why is "Hepatorenal syndrome only" not the answer?

Hepatorenal syndrome is functional renal failure in advanced liver disease.

Why is "Uncomplicated portal hypertension" not the answer?

Portal hypertension alone does not cause neutrophilic infected ascites.

Why is "Acute pancreatitis" not the answer?

Pancreatitis has elevated pancreatic enzymes and different fluid findings.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Gastroenterology: spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in General Medicine. It requires prompt antibiotics and assessment for complications.

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 Gastroenterology: spontaneous bacterial peritonitis?

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.