Occupational health: pneumoconiosis: practice question

A PSM 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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PSM · Occupational health: pneumoconiosis

Sample item

A 50-year-old stone quarry worker has progressive breathlessness. Chest radiograph shows small nodules in the upper zones and egg-shell calcification of hilar nodes. Which complication is he at particularly high risk for?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Pulmonary tuberculosis (silicotuberculosis)

Silicosis results from inhaled crystalline silica and is associated with upper-zone nodules and egg-shell calcification of hilar nodes. Silicosis markedly increases susceptibility to tuberculosis, so workers are screened for TB regularly. Mesothelioma is linked to asbestos, and bladder cancer to aniline dyes.

Option by option

  • A. Mesothelioma

    Mesothelioma is associated with asbestos exposure.

  • B. Occupational asthma only

    Asthma is not the characteristic complication of silicosis.

  • C. Bladder cancer

    Bladder cancer is associated with aromatic amines in dye and rubber industries.

  • D. Pulmonary tuberculosis (silicotuberculosis) (correct)

    Correct. Silica impairs macrophage function and predisposes to tuberculosis.

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 PSM questions

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is D, Pulmonary tuberculosis (silicotuberculosis). Silicosis results from inhaled crystalline silica and is associated with upper-zone nodules and egg-shell calcification of hilar nodes.

Why is "Mesothelioma" not the answer?

Mesothelioma is associated with asbestos exposure.

Why is "Occupational asthma only" not the answer?

Asthma is not the characteristic complication of silicosis.

Why is "Bladder cancer" not the answer?

Bladder cancer is associated with aromatic amines in dye and rubber industries.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Occupational health: pneumoconiosis in PSM. Silicosis markedly increases susceptibility to tuberculosis, so workers are screened for TB regularly. Mesothelioma is linked to asbestos, and bladder cancer to aniline dyes.

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 Occupational health: pneumoconiosis?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM 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.