Infectious pathology: practice question

A Pathology 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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Pathology · Infectious pathology

Sample item

Which cellular arrangement best characterizes a granuloma in persistent inflammation?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Organized aggregate of activated macrophages with epithelioid cells

Granulomas are organized collections of activated macrophages, often epithelioid cells and giant cells, formed when an inciting stimulus resists eradication.

Option by option

  • A. Sheet of malignant epithelial cells invading basement membrane

    Invasive epithelial sheets describe carcinoma, not granulomatous inflammation.

  • B. Diffuse pool of erythrocytes within an intact capillary

    Intravascular erythrocytes are normal blood contents, not granuloma tissue.

  • C. Organized aggregate of activated macrophages with epithelioid cells (correct)

    Correct: activated macrophages organize into a persistent inflammatory structure.

  • D. Neutrophil-rich cavity containing liquefied pus

    A pus-filled cavity describes an abscess rather than a granuloma.

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 Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is C, Organized aggregate of activated macrophages with epithelioid cells. Granulomas are organized collections of activated macrophages, often epithelioid cells and giant cells, formed when an inciting stimulus resists eradication.

Why is "Sheet of malignant epithelial cells invading basement membrane" not the answer?

Invasive epithelial sheets describe carcinoma, not granulomatous inflammation.

Why is "Diffuse pool of erythrocytes within an intact capillary" not the answer?

Intravascular erythrocytes are normal blood contents, not granuloma tissue.

Why is "Neutrophil-rich cavity containing liquefied pus" not the answer?

A pus-filled cavity describes an abscess rather than a granuloma.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infectious pathology in Pathology. The correct option holds because: Correct: activated macrophages organize into a persistent inflammatory structure.

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 Infectious pathology?

Learn each disease as a bundle: cause, key histology, markers, and the clinical hallmark. Then use the flashcards and the other Pathology 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.