Haematology: von Willebrand disease: 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 · Haematology: von Willebrand disease

Sample item

A teenage girl has menorrhagia and epistaxis. Investigations show prolonged bleeding time, normal platelet count, prolonged aPTT and reduced ristocetin-induced aggregation. Which drug may be used for mild disease?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Desmopressin

von Willebrand disease is the commonest inherited bleeding disorder, with deficient vWF causing defective platelet adhesion and low factor VIII. Desmopressin releases stored vWF in type 1 disease. Severe forms need vWF concentrate.

Option by option

  • A. Warfarin

    Warfarin worsens bleeding.

  • B. Heparin

    Heparin worsens bleeding.

  • C. Desmopressin (correct)

    Correct. Desmopressin releases vWF stores.

  • D. Vitamin K

    Vitamin K does not correct vWF deficiency.

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 Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is C, Desmopressin. von Willebrand disease is the commonest inherited bleeding disorder, with deficient vWF causing defective platelet adhesion and low factor VIII.

Why is "Warfarin" not the answer?

Warfarin worsens bleeding.

Why is "Heparin" not the answer?

Heparin worsens bleeding.

Why is "Vitamin K" not the answer?

Vitamin K does not correct vWF deficiency.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Haematology: von Willebrand disease in Pediatrics. Desmopressin releases stored vWF in type 1 disease. Severe forms need vWF concentrate.

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 Haematology: von Willebrand disease?

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.