Inflammation: exudate: 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 · Inflammation: exudate

Sample item

What distinguishes an inflammatory exudate from a transudate?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. High protein content and inflammatory cells due to increased vascular permeability

Exudates are protein-rich fluids produced by inflammatory increases in vascular permeability. Transudates are low-protein fluids caused by hydrostatic or oncotic-pressure imbalance.

Option by option

  • A. Absence of cells in all circumstances

    Exudates commonly contain inflammatory cells.

  • B. Low protein caused by reduced hydrostatic pressure

    Reduced hydrostatic pressure would not cause fluid accumulation.

  • C. Formation only in the pleural cavity

    Exudates can form in many tissues and serous cavities.

  • D. High protein content and inflammatory cells due to increased vascular permeability (correct)

    Correct. Permeability-driven protein leakage defines exudate.

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 D, High protein content and inflammatory cells due to increased vascular permeability. Exudates are protein-rich fluids produced by inflammatory increases in vascular permeability.

Why is "Absence of cells in all circumstances" not the answer?

Exudates commonly contain inflammatory cells.

Why is "Low protein caused by reduced hydrostatic pressure" not the answer?

Reduced hydrostatic pressure would not cause fluid accumulation.

Why is "Formation only in the pleural cavity" not the answer?

Exudates can form in many tissues and serous cavities.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Inflammation: exudate in Pathology. Transudates are low-protein fluids caused by hydrostatic or oncotic-pressure imbalance.

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 Inflammation: exudate?

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.