Perioperative care: irradiated blood: 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 · Perioperative care: irradiated blood

Sample item

A patient who has had a stem cell transplant needs a transfusion. Which modification of cellular blood products prevents transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Gamma irradiation

Irradiation inactivates donor lymphocytes, which could otherwise engraft and attack the immunocompromised recipient. Leucodepletion lowers febrile reactions but does not reliably prevent this complication.

Option by option

  • A. Leucodepletion alone

    Leucodepletion reduces febrile reactions and CMV risk but is not sufficient.

  • B. Warming to body temperature

    Warming prevents hypothermia, not graft-versus-host disease.

  • C. Washing with saline

    Washing removes plasma proteins for allergic reactions.

  • D. Gamma irradiation (correct)

    Correct. Irradiation inactivates T lymphocytes in the product.

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 General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is D, Gamma irradiation. Irradiation inactivates donor lymphocytes, which could otherwise engraft and attack the immunocompromised recipient.

Why is "Leucodepletion alone" not the answer?

Leucodepletion reduces febrile reactions and CMV risk but is not sufficient.

Why is "Warming to body temperature" not the answer?

Warming prevents hypothermia, not graft-versus-host disease.

Why is "Washing with saline" not the answer?

Washing removes plasma proteins for allergic reactions.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Perioperative care: irradiated blood in General Surgery. Leucodepletion lowers febrile reactions but does not reliably prevent this 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 Perioperative care: irradiated blood?

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.