Hypertensive disorders: HELLP steroids: 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: HELLP steroids

Sample item

In a woman with HELLP syndrome at 30 weeks, antenatal corticosteroids are given primarily to:

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Accelerate fetal lung maturity, and delivery is not delayed beyond 24 to 48 hours

In HELLP syndrome, betamethasone is given for fetal lung maturity before 34 weeks, and delivery is planned after 24 to 48 hours if the mother and fetus are stable. Dexamethasone improves platelets transiently but does not alter the course or substitute for delivery.

Option by option

  • A. Cure the HELLP syndrome

    Steroids do not cure HELLP.

  • B. Accelerate fetal lung maturity, and delivery is not delayed beyond 24 to 48 hours (correct)

    Correct. The purpose is fetal lung maturity.

  • C. Prevent seizures

    Magnesium sulphate prevents seizures.

  • D. Reduce blood pressure

    Steroids do not lower blood pressure.

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 OBG question

What is the answer to this OBG question?

The best answer is B, Accelerate fetal lung maturity, and delivery is not delayed beyond 24 to 48 hours. In HELLP syndrome, betamethasone is given for fetal lung maturity before 34 weeks, and delivery is planned after 24 to 48 hours if the mother and fetus are stable.

Why is "Cure the HELLP syndrome" not the answer?

Steroids do not cure HELLP.

Why is "Prevent seizures" not the answer?

Magnesium sulphate prevents seizures.

Why is "Reduce blood pressure" not the answer?

Steroids do not lower blood pressure.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hypertensive disorders: HELLP steroids in OBG. Dexamethasone improves platelets transiently but does not alter the course or substitute for delivery.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: HELLP steroids?

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.