Trauma and burns: fetomaternal haemorrhage test: practice question

A General Surgery 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 Surgery · Trauma and burns: fetomaternal haemorrhage test

Sample item

A 28-year-old Rh-negative woman at 30 weeks of pregnancy is monitored after minor blunt abdominal trauma. Which test is used to estimate the volume of fetomaternal haemorrhage to guide the dose of anti-D immunoglobulin?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Kleihauer-Betke test

The Kleihauer-Betke test uses acid elution to show fetal haemoglobin-containing cells in maternal blood, which allows quantification of the transplacental bleed. Anti-D immunoglobulin is given to Rh-negative women, with the dose adjusted to the amount of fetal blood.

Option by option

  • A. Rosette test alone

    The rosette test screens qualitatively for a significant bleed but is followed by a quantitative test.

  • B. Coombs test

    The Coombs test detects antibodies on red cells and does not quantify the bleed.

  • C. Kleihauer-Betke test (correct)

    Correct. Kleihauer-Betke quantifies fetal cells in maternal blood.

  • D. Apt test

    The Apt test distinguishes fetal from maternal blood in swallowed blood in neonates.

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 Surgery questions

Questions about this General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is C, Kleihauer-Betke test. The Kleihauer-Betke test uses acid elution to show fetal haemoglobin-containing cells in maternal blood, which allows quantification of the transplacental bleed.

Why is "Rosette test alone" not the answer?

The rosette test screens qualitatively for a significant bleed but is followed by a quantitative test.

Why is "Coombs test" not the answer?

The Coombs test detects antibodies on red cells and does not quantify the bleed.

Why is "Apt test" not the answer?

The Apt test distinguishes fetal from maternal blood in swallowed blood in neonates.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Trauma and burns: fetomaternal haemorrhage test in General Surgery. Anti-D immunoglobulin is given to Rh-negative women, with the dose adjusted to the amount of fetal blood.

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 Trauma and burns: fetomaternal haemorrhage test?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery 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.