Hematology: immune thrombocytopenia: 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 · Hematology: immune thrombocytopenia

Sample item

A child after a viral illness has petechiae and bruising, platelet count 12 x 10^9/L, but normal hemoglobin, white count, and examination. What is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Immune thrombocytopenia

Immune thrombocytopenia is isolated immune-mediated platelet destruction, often after viral illness in children. Assessment must exclude red flags for marrow disease or serious bleeding.

Option by option

  • A. Acute leukemia

    Leukemia often causes multiple cytopenias, bone pain, lymphadenopathy, or organomegaly.

  • B. Hemophilia A

    Hemophilia causes coagulation-factor deficiency with normal platelets.

  • C. Disseminated intravascular coagulation

    DIC has systemic illness and abnormal coagulation tests.

  • D. Immune thrombocytopenia (correct)

    Correct. Isolated thrombocytopenia with otherwise well child fits ITP.

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, Immune thrombocytopenia. Immune thrombocytopenia is isolated immune-mediated platelet destruction, often after viral illness in children.

Why is "Acute leukemia" not the answer?

Leukemia often causes multiple cytopenias, bone pain, lymphadenopathy, or organomegaly.

Why is "Hemophilia A" not the answer?

Hemophilia causes coagulation-factor deficiency with normal platelets.

Why is "Disseminated intravascular coagulation" not the answer?

DIC has systemic illness and abnormal coagulation tests.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hematology: immune thrombocytopenia in Pediatrics. Assessment must exclude red flags for marrow disease or serious bleeding.

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 Hematology: immune thrombocytopenia?

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.