Neurology: restless legs syndrome associations: 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.

Try it

General Medicine · Neurology: restless legs syndrome associations

Sample item

A 32-year-old woman in her third trimester has an irresistible urge to move her legs in the evening, relieved by walking. Which laboratory abnormality should be looked for and corrected?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Low serum ferritin

Restless legs syndrome is linked to brain iron deficiency, and low ferritin is common in pregnancy and anaemia. Correcting iron deficiency can help, and dopamine agonists or gabapentinoids are used for persistent symptoms.

Option by option

  • A. Raised serum potassium level

    Hyperkalaemia does not cause this syndrome.

  • B. Raised serum calcium level

    Hypercalcaemia is not a recognised cause.

  • C. Low serum ferritin (correct)

    Correct. Iron deficiency is a treatable cause and should be checked.

  • D. Low serum sodium level

    Hyponatraemia is not linked to restless legs.

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 C, Low serum ferritin. Restless legs syndrome is linked to brain iron deficiency, and low ferritin is common in pregnancy and anaemia.

Why is "Raised serum potassium level" not the answer?

Hyperkalaemia does not cause this syndrome.

Why is "Raised serum calcium level" not the answer?

Hypercalcaemia is not a recognised cause.

Why is "Low serum sodium level" not the answer?

Hyponatraemia is not linked to restless legs.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neurology: restless legs syndrome associations in General Medicine. Correcting iron deficiency can help, and dopamine agonists or gabapentinoids are used for persistent symptoms.

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 Neurology: restless legs syndrome associations?

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.