Endocrinology: pheochromocytoma: practice question

A General Medicine 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 Medicine · Endocrinology: pheochromocytoma

Sample item

A patient has episodic headache, sweating, palpitations, and paroxysmal hypertension. Which biochemical test is most appropriate for initial evaluation?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Plasma free metanephrines or urinary fractionated metanephrines

Pheochromocytoma produces catecholamines episodically, while metanephrines are more continuously generated and are useful screening markers. Imaging follows biochemical confirmation in most pathways.

Option by option

  • A. Plasma free metanephrines or urinary fractionated metanephrines (correct)

    Correct. Metanephrines are sensitive biochemical markers for catecholamine-secreting tumors.

  • B. Serum amylase

    Amylase tests pancreatic injury.

  • C. Thyroid peroxidase antibody only

    Thyroid antibodies assess autoimmune thyroid disease.

  • D. Urinary ketones only

    Ketones assess metabolic starvation or ketoacidosis.

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 Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is A, Plasma free metanephrines or urinary fractionated metanephrines. Pheochromocytoma produces catecholamines episodically, while metanephrines are more continuously generated and are useful screening markers.

Why is "Serum amylase" not the answer?

Amylase tests pancreatic injury.

Why is "Thyroid peroxidase antibody only" not the answer?

Thyroid antibodies assess autoimmune thyroid disease.

Why is "Urinary ketones only" not the answer?

Ketones assess metabolic starvation or ketoacidosis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Endocrinology: pheochromocytoma in General Medicine. Imaging follows biochemical confirmation in most pathways.

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 Endocrinology: pheochromocytoma?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine 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.