Bone infection: osteomyelitis in sickle cell disease: practice question

A Orthopaedics 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

Orthopaedics · Bone infection: osteomyelitis in sickle cell disease

Sample item

Besides Staphylococcus aureus, which organism is characteristically associated with osteomyelitis in sickle cell disease?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Salmonella

Patients with sickle cell disease have bone infarcts and impaired splenic function, predisposing to Salmonella osteomyelitis, often involving the diaphysis and multiple bones. Distinguishing it from a bone infarct can be difficult.

Option by option

  • A. Salmonella (correct)

    Correct. Salmonella is the characteristic organism in sickle cell disease.

  • B. Pseudomonas aeruginosa

    Pseudomonas is associated with puncture wounds of the foot and intravenous drug use.

  • C. Neisseria gonorrhoeae

    Gonococcus causes septic arthritis in sexually active adults.

  • D. Streptococcus pneumoniae

    Pneumococcus is more associated with sepsis than osteomyelitis here.

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 Orthopaedics questions

Questions about this Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is A, Salmonella. Patients with sickle cell disease have bone infarcts and impaired splenic function, predisposing to Salmonella osteomyelitis, often involving the diaphysis and multiple bones.

Why is "Pseudomonas aeruginosa" not the answer?

Pseudomonas is associated with puncture wounds of the foot and intravenous drug use.

Why is "Neisseria gonorrhoeae" not the answer?

Gonococcus causes septic arthritis in sexually active adults.

Why is "Streptococcus pneumoniae" not the answer?

Pneumococcus is more associated with sepsis than osteomyelitis here.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Bone infection: osteomyelitis in sickle cell disease in Orthopaedics. Distinguishing it from a bone infarct can be difficult.

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 Bone infection: osteomyelitis in sickle cell disease?

Pair each fracture with its classic complication and nerve injured. Then use the flashcards and the other Orthopaedics 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.