Hematology: G6PD deficiency: 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: G6PD deficiency

Sample item

After taking an oxidant drug, a patient develops jaundice and hemoglobinuria; blood film shows bite cells. Which enzyme defect is likely?

AGlucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiencyBAdenosine deaminase deficiencyCFactor VIII deficiencyDPyruvate kinase deficiency only

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency

G6PD deficiency impairs generation of NADPH for reduced glutathione, making red cells susceptible to oxidant injury. Heinz bodies and bite cells are characteristic during hemolysis.

Option by option

A. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (correct)
Correct. Oxidant-triggered hemolysis with bite cells is classic G6PD deficiency.
B. Adenosine deaminase deficiency
ADA deficiency causes severe immunodeficiency.
C. Factor VIII deficiency
Factor VIII deficiency causes hemophilia A.
D. Pyruvate kinase deficiency only
Pyruvate kinase deficiency causes chronic hemolysis but not typical oxidant-triggered bite cells.

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.

Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is A, Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. G6PD deficiency impairs generation of NADPH for reduced glutathione, making red cells susceptible to oxidant injury.

Why is "Adenosine deaminase deficiency" not the answer?

ADA deficiency causes severe immunodeficiency.

Why is "Factor VIII deficiency" not the answer?

Factor VIII deficiency causes hemophilia A.

Why is "Pyruvate kinase deficiency only" not the answer?

Pyruvate kinase deficiency causes chronic hemolysis but not typical oxidant-triggered bite cells.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hematology: G6PD deficiency in General Medicine. Heinz bodies and bite cells are characteristic during hemolysis.

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: G6PD deficiency?

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.