Hypertensive disorders: indications for neuroimaging in eclampsia: 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.

Try it

OBG · Hypertensive disorders: indications for neuroimaging in eclampsia

Sample item

Which feature in a woman with eclampsia most strongly suggests the need for brain imaging?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. A persistent focal neurological deficit after the seizure

Typical eclampsia is a generalised seizure in a woman with hypertension, headache and hyperreflexia, and imaging is not routine. Focal deficits, prolonged coma, atypical timing or refractory seizures suggest another process such as haemorrhage, venous thrombosis or posterior reversible encephalopathy.

Option by option

  • A. A persistent focal neurological deficit after the seizure (correct)

    Correct. A persistent focal deficit points to a structural cause needing imaging.

  • B. Brief postictal drowsiness

    Short postictal drowsiness is expected after a seizure.

  • C. Headache and brisk reflexes before the seizure

    Headache and hyperreflexia are the usual prodrome of eclampsia.

  • D. A single typical seizure at 36 weeks with BP 170/110 mmHg

    A typical single seizure with severe hypertension is classic eclampsia.

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 OBG questions

Questions about this OBG question

What is the answer to this OBG question?

The best answer is A, A persistent focal neurological deficit after the seizure. Typical eclampsia is a generalised seizure in a woman with hypertension, headache and hyperreflexia, and imaging is not routine.

Why is "Brief postictal drowsiness" not the answer?

Short postictal drowsiness is expected after a seizure.

Why is "Headache and brisk reflexes before the seizure" not the answer?

Headache and hyperreflexia are the usual prodrome of eclampsia.

Why is "A single typical seizure at 36 weeks with BP 170/110 mmHg" not the answer?

A typical single seizure with severe hypertension is classic eclampsia.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hypertensive disorders: indications for neuroimaging in eclampsia in OBG. Focal deficits, prolonged coma, atypical timing or refractory seizures suggest another process such as haemorrhage, venous thrombosis or posterior reversible encephalopathy.

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: indications for neuroimaging in eclampsia?

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.