Hematology: polycythemia vera: 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 · Hematology: polycythemia vera

Sample item

A patient has headaches, aquagenic pruritus, splenomegaly, elevated hematocrit, and low erythropoietin level. What is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Polycythemia vera

Polycythemia vera is a myeloproliferative neoplasm, often JAK2 mutated, causing autonomous red-cell production with low erythropoietin, hyperviscosity symptoms, thrombosis, and pruritus.

Option by option

  • A. Aplastic anemia

    Aplastic anemia causes pancytopenia.

  • B. Polycythemia vera (correct)

    Correct. Low EPO with hyperviscosity features suggests autonomous marrow production.

  • C. Iron deficiency anemia

    Iron deficiency causes low hematocrit.

  • D. Secondary erythrocytosis from hypoxia

    Hypoxic secondary erythrocytosis generally has elevated EPO.

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, Polycythemia vera. Polycythemia vera is a myeloproliferative neoplasm, often JAK2 mutated, causing autonomous red-cell production with low erythropoietin, hyperviscosity symptoms, thrombosis, and pruritus.

Why is "Aplastic anemia" not the answer?

Aplastic anemia causes pancytopenia.

Why is "Iron deficiency anemia" not the answer?

Iron deficiency causes low hematocrit.

Why is "Secondary erythrocytosis from hypoxia" not the answer?

Hypoxic secondary erythrocytosis generally has elevated EPO.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hematology: polycythemia vera in General Medicine. The correct option holds because: Correct. Low EPO with hyperviscosity features suggests autonomous marrow production.

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 Hematology: polycythemia vera?

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.