Normal pregnancy: placental variants: practice question

A OBG 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.

Try it

OBG · Normal pregnancy: placental variants

Sample item

After delivery the placenta shows torn blood vessels running through the membranes to a ragged edge, with no accessory lobe attached. Later heavy bleeding occurs with a bulky soft uterus. What is the likely cause?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Retained succenturiate lobe

A succenturiate lobe is an accessory placental lobe linked by vessels running through the membranes. If the lobe is retained after delivery, it causes secondary haemorrhage or atony, so the placenta and membranes must always be inspected. Exploration and removal of the retained tissue is the treatment.

Option by option

  • A. Uterine rupture

    Uterine rupture presents with pain, shock and loss of contractions rather than a bulky soft uterus.

  • B. Retained succenturiate lobe (correct)

    Correct. A retained accessory lobe prevents uterine contraction and causes bleeding.

  • C. Cervical laceration

    A cervical tear causes bleeding with a well-contracted uterus.

  • D. Vaginal haematoma

    A vaginal haematoma gives a painful swelling rather than a soft bulky uterus.

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 OBG questions

Questions about this OBG question

What is the answer to this OBG question?

The best answer is B, Retained succenturiate lobe. A succenturiate lobe is an accessory placental lobe linked by vessels running through the membranes.

Why is "Uterine rupture" not the answer?

Uterine rupture presents with pain, shock and loss of contractions rather than a bulky soft uterus.

Why is "Cervical laceration" not the answer?

A cervical tear causes bleeding with a well-contracted uterus.

Why is "Vaginal haematoma" not the answer?

A vaginal haematoma gives a painful swelling rather than a soft bulky uterus.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Normal pregnancy: placental variants in OBG. If the lobe is retained after delivery, it causes secondary haemorrhage or atony, so the placenta and membranes must always be inspected. Exploration and removal of the retained tissue is the treatment.

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 Normal pregnancy: placental variants?

Learn management algorithms as steps: PPH, eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy. Then use the flashcards and the other OBG 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.