Hypertensive disorders: fluid restriction: practice question

A OBG 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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OBG · Hypertensive disorders: fluid restriction

Sample item

Why is the total intravenous fluid intake restricted in severe pre-eclampsia?

AEndothelial leak and low oncotic pressure favour pulmonary oedemaBFluid overload is the usual cause of the hypertensionCExcess fluid directly precipitates eclamptic seizuresDFluids precipitate magnesium out of solution

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Endothelial leak and low oncotic pressure favour pulmonary oedema

Pre-eclampsia has widespread endothelial dysfunction with capillary leak and often low serum albumin, so excess fluid moves into the lungs. Particular risk exists after delivery, when extravascular fluid returns to the circulation.

Option by option

A. Endothelial leak and low oncotic pressure favour pulmonary oedema (correct)
Correct. Capillary leak and low oncotic pressure make pulmonary oedema likely.
B. Fluid overload is the usual cause of the hypertension
The hypertension arises from vasospasm and endothelial dysfunction, not from fluid overload.
C. Excess fluid directly precipitates eclamptic seizures
Fluids do not directly precipitate seizures.
D. Fluids precipitate magnesium out of solution
Magnesium does not precipitate out of solution with intravenous fluids.

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 OBG question

What is the answer to this OBG question?

The best answer is A, Endothelial leak and low oncotic pressure favour pulmonary oedema. Pre-eclampsia has widespread endothelial dysfunction with capillary leak and often low serum albumin, so excess fluid moves into the lungs.

Why is "Fluid overload is the usual cause of the hypertension" not the answer?

The hypertension arises from vasospasm and endothelial dysfunction, not from fluid overload.

Why is "Excess fluid directly precipitates eclamptic seizures" not the answer?

Fluids do not directly precipitate seizures.

Why is "Fluids precipitate magnesium out of solution" not the answer?

Magnesium does not precipitate out of solution with intravenous fluids.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hypertensive disorders: fluid restriction in OBG. Particular risk exists after delivery, when extravascular fluid returns to the circulation.

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 Hypertensive disorders: fluid restriction?

Learn management algorithms as steps: PPH, eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy. Then use the flashcards and the other OBG 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.