Respiratory: cystic fibrosis: 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 · Respiratory: cystic fibrosis

Sample item

An infant has recurrent chest infections, steatorrhea, poor weight gain, and elevated sweat chloride. What diagnosis is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis causes abnormal CFTR-mediated chloride transport, leading to thick airway secretions and pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. Sweat chloride testing supports diagnosis.

Option by option

  • A. Congenital heart disease only

    Heart disease does not cause pancreatic steatorrhea.

  • B. Cystic fibrosis (correct)

    Correct. Pulmonary disease plus steatorrhea and high sweat chloride is classic CF.

  • C. Nephrotic syndrome

    Nephrotic syndrome causes edema and proteinuria.

  • D. Primary lactose intolerance

    Lactose intolerance does not cause chronic lung infections or high sweat chloride.

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 B, Cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis causes abnormal CFTR-mediated chloride transport, leading to thick airway secretions and pancreatic exocrine insufficiency.

Why is "Congenital heart disease only" not the answer?

Heart disease does not cause pancreatic steatorrhea.

Why is "Nephrotic syndrome" not the answer?

Nephrotic syndrome causes edema and proteinuria.

Why is "Primary lactose intolerance" not the answer?

Lactose intolerance does not cause chronic lung infections or high sweat chloride.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Respiratory: cystic fibrosis in Pediatrics. Sweat chloride testing supports 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: cystic fibrosis?

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.