Biliary surgery: 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 · Biliary surgery

Sample item

Which symptom is most suggestive of obstructive jaundice rather than isolated haemolysis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Pale stools with dark urine

Obstruction to bile flow prevents bilirubin reaching the gut, producing pale stools, while conjugated bilirubin is excreted in urine and makes it dark; pruritus may also be prominent.

Option by option

  • A. Pink frothy sputum

    Pink frothy sputum suggests pulmonary oedema.

  • B. Pale stools with dark urine (correct)

    Correct: pale stools and dark urine indicate impaired bile drainage.

  • C. Painless oral ulcers

    Oral ulcers have many causes but do not indicate biliary obstruction.

  • D. Intermittent diplopia

    Diplopia is a neurological or ocular symptom.

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 B, Pale stools with dark urine. Obstruction to bile flow prevents bilirubin reaching the gut, producing pale stools, while conjugated bilirubin is excreted in urine and makes it dark; pruritus may also be prominent.

Why is "Pink frothy sputum" not the answer?

Pink frothy sputum suggests pulmonary oedema.

Why is "Painless oral ulcers" not the answer?

Oral ulcers have many causes but do not indicate biliary obstruction.

Why is "Intermittent diplopia" not the answer?

Diplopia is a neurological or ocular symptom.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Biliary surgery in General Surgery. The correct option holds because: Correct: pale stools and dark urine indicate impaired bile drainage.

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 Biliary surgery?

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.