Pain physiology: neuropathic pain: practice question

A Anaesthesia 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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Anaesthesia · Pain physiology: neuropathic pain

Sample item

A 58-year-old diabetic describes burning pain in both feet with sudden electric-shock sensations. Light touch from bedsheets is painful, and there is a stocking pattern of sensory loss. What type of pain is this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Neuropathic pain

Neuropathic pain arises from a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system and is described as burning or shooting, with allodynia and sensory deficit. First-line drugs include gabapentinoids, tricyclic antidepressants and duloxetine, while simple analgesics work poorly.

Option by option

  • A. Referred pain

    Referred pain is felt at a distant site that shares segmental supply with a diseased organ.

  • B. Somatic nociceptive pain

    Somatic nociceptive pain is a well-localised aching from skin, bone or muscle injury, without allodynia and deficit.

  • C. Neuropathic pain (correct)

    Correct. Burning, shooting pain with allodynia and sensory loss indicates nerve damage.

  • D. Visceral pain

    Visceral pain is a poorly localised, deep, cramping pain from internal organs.

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 Anaesthesia questions

Questions about this Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is C, Neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain arises from a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system and is described as burning or shooting, with allodynia and sensory deficit.

Why is "Referred pain" not the answer?

Referred pain is felt at a distant site that shares segmental supply with a diseased organ.

Why is "Somatic nociceptive pain" not the answer?

Somatic nociceptive pain is a well-localised aching from skin, bone or muscle injury, without allodynia and deficit.

Why is "Visceral pain" not the answer?

Visceral pain is a poorly localised, deep, cramping pain from internal organs.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pain physiology: neuropathic pain in Anaesthesia. First-line drugs include gabapentinoids, tricyclic antidepressants and duloxetine, while simple analgesics work poorly.

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 Pain physiology: neuropathic pain?

Make a table of each agent, its key advantage and its main side effect. Then use the flashcards and the other Anaesthesia 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.