Neonatology: 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 · Neonatology

Sample item

What is a common cause of respiratory distress immediately after preterm birth?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Surfactant deficiency

Premature infants may lack adequate surfactant, causing high alveolar surface tension, collapse, and respiratory distress syndrome soon after birth.

Option by option

  • A. Otitis externa

    Otitis externa affects the ear canal, not neonatal alveoli.

  • B. Dental abscess

    Dental abscess does not cause preterm respiratory distress.

  • C. Acute appendicitis

    Appendicitis is not a typical immediate neonatal respiratory cause.

  • D. Surfactant deficiency (correct)

    Correct: surfactant deficiency causes neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.

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 D, Surfactant deficiency. Premature infants may lack adequate surfactant, causing high alveolar surface tension, collapse, and respiratory distress syndrome soon after birth.

Why is "Otitis externa" not the answer?

Otitis externa affects the ear canal, not neonatal alveoli.

Why is "Dental abscess" not the answer?

Dental abscess does not cause preterm respiratory distress.

Why is "Acute appendicitis" not the answer?

Appendicitis is not a typical immediate neonatal respiratory cause.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neonatology in Pediatrics. The correct option holds because: Correct: surfactant deficiency causes neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.

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 Neonatology?

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.