Nephrology: nephrotic complications: practice question

A Pediatrics 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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Pediatrics · Nephrology: nephrotic complications

Sample item

A child with nephrotic syndrome develops fever, abdominal pain and tenderness. Which complication is most likely and which organism is the commonest cause?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis; Streptococcus pneumoniae

Children with nephrotic syndrome are prone to peritonitis because of low immunoglobulins and ascites, and pneumococcus is the commonest organism. Treatment is cefotaxime or ceftriaxone, and pneumococcal vaccination is recommended. Thrombosis is another important complication.

Option by option

  • A. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis; Streptococcus pneumoniae (correct)

    Correct. Pneumococcal peritonitis is common.

  • B. Hepatitis; HBV

    Hepatitis does not explain the abdominal signs.

  • C. Appendicitis; Bacteroides

    Appendicitis is less likely in this setting.

  • D. Pancreatitis; Mumps virus

    Mumps pancreatitis is unlikely.

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 Pediatrics questions

Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is A, Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis; Streptococcus pneumoniae. Children with nephrotic syndrome are prone to peritonitis because of low immunoglobulins and ascites, and pneumococcus is the commonest organism.

Why is "Hepatitis; HBV" not the answer?

Hepatitis does not explain the abdominal signs.

Why is "Appendicitis; Bacteroides" not the answer?

Appendicitis is less likely in this setting.

Why is "Pancreatitis; Mumps virus" not the answer?

Mumps pancreatitis is unlikely.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nephrology: nephrotic complications in Pediatrics. Treatment is cefotaxime or ceftriaxone, and pneumococcal vaccination is recommended. Thrombosis is another important complication.

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 Nephrology: nephrotic complications?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics 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.