Parasitology: ascariasis intestinal obstruction: practice question

A Microbiology 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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Microbiology · Parasitology: ascariasis intestinal obstruction

Sample item

A 5-year-old in a rural area has colicky abdominal pain, bilious vomiting and a palpable ropy abdominal mass, and X-ray shows gas-fluid levels. Stool contains round mamillated eggs. What is the likely cause of the obstruction?

AEntwined adult Ascaris worms blocking the ileumBIntussusception caused by hookworm larvaeCRectal prolapse from a heavy whipworm burdenDTaenia saginata segment impacted at the ileocaecal valve

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Entwined adult Ascaris worms blocking the ileum

A heavy burden of adult Ascaris lumbricoides can form a bolus that obstructs the ileum in children, giving a ropy mass and intestinal obstruction. Treatment is conservative, with nasogastric decompression and an anthelmintic, and surgery for complications.

Option by option

A. Entwined adult Ascaris worms blocking the ileum (correct)
Correct. A tangled mass of adult Ascaris can obstruct the small bowel.
B. Intussusception caused by hookworm larvae
Hookworm larvae do not cause intussusception.
C. Rectal prolapse from a heavy whipworm burden
Whipworm may cause rectal prolapse but not small-bowel obstruction.
D. Taenia saginata segment impacted at the ileocaecal valve
A tapeworm segment is too soft to cause such a mass, and Taenia eggs are not mamillated.

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 Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is A, Entwined adult Ascaris worms blocking the ileum. A heavy burden of adult Ascaris lumbricoides can form a bolus that obstructs the ileum in children, giving a ropy mass and intestinal obstruction.

Why is "Intussusception caused by hookworm larvae" not the answer?

Hookworm larvae do not cause intussusception.

Why is "Rectal prolapse from a heavy whipworm burden" not the answer?

Whipworm may cause rectal prolapse but not small-bowel obstruction.

Why is "Taenia saginata segment impacted at the ileocaecal valve" not the answer?

A tapeworm segment is too soft to cause such a mass, and Taenia eggs are not mamillated.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Parasitology: ascariasis intestinal obstruction in Microbiology. Treatment is conservative, with nasogastric decompression and an anthelmintic, and surgery for complications.

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 Parasitology: ascariasis intestinal obstruction?

Make a one-line identity card for each organism: shape and stain, defining test, toxin, disease and drug. Then use the flashcards and the other Microbiology 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.