Endocrinology: glucocorticoid effects on blood: practice question

A Physiology 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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Physiology · Endocrinology: glucocorticoid effects on blood

Sample item

A patient on high-dose prednisolone for two weeks has a total leukocyte count of 14,000 per microlitre. Which differential pattern is most likely due to the glucocorticoid?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Neutrophilia with lymphopenia and eosinopenia

Glucocorticoids increase neutrophil release from marrow and reduce their margination, which raises the count. They cause lymphocyte apoptosis and redistribution, and reduce eosinophils. This pattern is also seen in Cushing syndrome and in stress.

Option by option

  • A. Neutrophilia with lymphopenia and eosinopenia (correct)

    Correct. Neutrophils rise while lymphocytes and eosinophils fall under glucocorticoid effect.

  • B. Eosinophilia with lymphocytosis

    Both eosinophils and lymphocytes fall with glucocorticoids, so neither rises.

  • C. Lymphocytosis with neutropenia

    Glucocorticoids lower lymphocyte counts, and neutrophils rise rather than fall.

  • D. Neutropenia with eosinophilia

    Glucocorticoids do not cause neutropenia, and they lower rather than raise eosinophils.

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.

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Questions about this Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is A, Neutrophilia with lymphopenia and eosinopenia. Glucocorticoids increase neutrophil release from marrow and reduce their margination, which raises the count.

Why is "Eosinophilia with lymphocytosis" not the answer?

Both eosinophils and lymphocytes fall with glucocorticoids, so neither rises.

Why is "Lymphocytosis with neutropenia" not the answer?

Glucocorticoids lower lymphocyte counts, and neutrophils rise rather than fall.

Why is "Neutropenia with eosinophilia" not the answer?

Glucocorticoids do not cause neutropenia, and they lower rather than raise eosinophils.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Endocrinology: glucocorticoid effects on blood in Physiology. They cause lymphocyte apoptosis and redistribution, and reduce eosinophils. This pattern is also seen in Cushing syndrome and in stress.

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 Endocrinology: glucocorticoid effects on blood?

For each system, sketch the key graph (pressure–volume loop, oxygen dissociation curve, nephron handling) and explain it aloud. Then use the flashcards and the other Physiology 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.