Spine: practice question

A Orthopaedics 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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Orthopaedics · Spine

Sample item

What is the usual first-line management of uncomplicated acute mechanical low-back pain?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Encourage activity with appropriate analgesia and safety-netting

Most uncomplicated mechanical back pain improves with continued gentle activity, short-term analgesia, and advice about warning symptoms rather than prolonged bed rest.

Option by option

  • A. Encourage activity with appropriate analgesia and safety-netting (correct)

    Correct: activity and conservative care support recovery.

  • B. Strict bed rest for two weeks

    Prolonged bed rest delays functional recovery.

  • C. Routine long-term opioids

    Long-term opioids carry substantial harm and are not routine first-line therapy.

  • D. Immediate spinal surgery

    Surgery is reserved for selected structural or neurological indications.

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 Orthopaedics questions

Questions about this Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is A, Encourage activity with appropriate analgesia and safety-netting. Most uncomplicated mechanical back pain improves with continued gentle activity, short-term analgesia, and advice about warning symptoms rather than prolonged bed rest.

Why is "Strict bed rest for two weeks" not the answer?

Prolonged bed rest delays functional recovery.

Why is "Routine long-term opioids" not the answer?

Long-term opioids carry substantial harm and are not routine first-line therapy.

Why is "Immediate spinal surgery" not the answer?

Surgery is reserved for selected structural or neurological indications.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Spine in Orthopaedics. The correct option holds because: Correct: activity and conservative care support recovery.

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 Spine?

Pair each fracture with its classic complication and nerve injured. Then use the flashcards and the other Orthopaedics 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.