Burns: resuscitation endpoint: practice question

A General Surgery 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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General Surgery · Burns: resuscitation endpoint

Sample item

During burn resuscitation of an adult, which parameter is the most useful guide to adequacy of fluid replacement?

ASerum albuminBUrine output of about 0.5 mL/kg/hourCBody temperatureDHaemoglobin concentration

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Urine output of about 0.5 mL/kg/hour

Urine output is a practical, continuous indicator of end-organ perfusion, with a target of 0.5 mL/kg/hour in adults (about 1 mL/kg/hour in children). Fluids are increased if output is low and reduced if it is high to avoid over-resuscitation and compartment syndromes. Haemoglobin and albumin are unreliable early.

Option by option

A. Serum albumin
Albumin is not a real-time guide.
B. Urine output of about 0.5 mL/kg/hour (correct)
Correct. Urine output guides fluid titration.
C. Body temperature
Temperature does not indicate volume status adequately.
D. Haemoglobin concentration
Haemoglobin rises with haemoconcentration and is not a titration guide.

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.

Questions about this General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is B, Urine output of about 0.5 mL/kg/hour. Urine output is a practical, continuous indicator of end-organ perfusion, with a target of 0.

Why is "Serum albumin" not the answer?

Albumin is not a real-time guide.

Why is "Body temperature" not the answer?

Temperature does not indicate volume status adequately.

Why is "Haemoglobin concentration" not the answer?

Haemoglobin rises with haemoconcentration and is not a titration guide.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Burns: resuscitation endpoint in General Surgery. 5 mL/kg/hour in adults (about 1 mL/kg/hour in children). Fluids are increased if output is low and reduced if it is high to avoid over-resuscitation and compartment syndromes. Haemoglobin and albumin are unreliable early.

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 Burns: resuscitation endpoint?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery 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.