Conjunctiva: practice question

A Ophthalmology 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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Ophthalmology · Conjunctiva

Sample item

During an outbreak at a school, a child has bilateral watery red eyes with a follicular conjunctivitis, tender preauricular lymphadenopathy and later multiple subepithelial corneal opacities. What is the causative agent?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Adenovirus

Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis is caused by adenovirus (types 8, 19 and 37) and is highly contagious. It causes follicular conjunctivitis with a tender preauricular node and subepithelial infiltrates that can blur vision for months, and strict hand hygiene is needed to prevent spread.

Option by option

  • A. Herpes simplex virus

    HSV causes a unilateral follicular conjunctivitis with vesicles or dendritic ulcers.

  • B. Adenovirus (correct)

    Correct. Adenoviral conjunctivitis causes outbreaks, a tender node and subepithelial opacities.

  • C. Neisseria gonorrhoeae

    Gonococcus causes a hyperacute purulent conjunctivitis.

  • D. Chlamydia trachomatis serotypes A to C

    Serotypes A to C cause trachoma, which is chronic with scarring and not a short outbreak.

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 Ophthalmology questions

Questions about this Ophthalmology question

What is the answer to this Ophthalmology question?

The best answer is B, Adenovirus. Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis is caused by adenovirus (types 8, 19 and 37) and is highly contagious.

Why is "Herpes simplex virus" not the answer?

HSV causes a unilateral follicular conjunctivitis with vesicles or dendritic ulcers.

Why is "Neisseria gonorrhoeae" not the answer?

Gonococcus causes a hyperacute purulent conjunctivitis.

Why is "Chlamydia trachomatis serotypes A to C" not the answer?

Serotypes A to C cause trachoma, which is chronic with scarring and not a short outbreak.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Conjunctiva in Ophthalmology. It causes follicular conjunctivitis with a tender preauricular node and subepithelial infiltrates that can blur vision for months, and strict hand hygiene is needed to prevent spread.

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 Conjunctiva?

Group the red eye by what to examine and what the pupil does. Then use the flashcards and the other Ophthalmology 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.