Gastroenterology: revised Atlanta classification of pancreatitis: 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 · Gastroenterology: revised Atlanta classification of pancreatitis

Sample item

A 45-year-old man with gallstone pancreatitis has, from the day of admission, persistent respiratory failure (PaO2/FiO2 of 250) and a creatinine of 2.3 mg/dL (baseline 1.0) that have lasted more than 48 hours. How is his pancreatitis classified under the revised Atlanta classification?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Severe acute pancreatitis

The revised Atlanta classification grades severity by organ failure. Mild disease has no organ failure or local complications, moderately severe disease has transient organ failure lasting less than 48 hours or local complications, and severe disease has persistent organ failure beyond 48 hours. Imaging is not required to assign the grade.

Option by option

  • A. Moderately severe acute pancreatitis

    Moderately severe disease requires organ failure that resolves within 48 hours.

  • B. Unclassifiable until CT shows necrosis

    Classification relies on clinical organ failure and complications, and necrosis on CT is not a prerequisite.

  • C. Severe acute pancreatitis (correct)

    Correct. Organ failure persisting beyond 48 hours defines severe disease.

  • D. Mild acute pancreatitis

    Mild disease has no organ failure, which is not the case here.

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 C, Severe acute pancreatitis. The revised Atlanta classification grades severity by organ failure.

Why is "Moderately severe acute pancreatitis" not the answer?

Moderately severe disease requires organ failure that resolves within 48 hours.

Why is "Unclassifiable until CT shows necrosis" not the answer?

Classification relies on clinical organ failure and complications, and necrosis on CT is not a prerequisite.

Why is "Mild acute pancreatitis" not the answer?

Mild disease has no organ failure, which is not the case here.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Gastroenterology: revised Atlanta classification of pancreatitis in General Medicine. Mild disease has no organ failure or local complications, moderately severe disease has transient organ failure lasting less than 48 hours or local complications, and severe disease has persistent organ failure beyond 48 hours. Imaging is not required to assign the grade.

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 Gastroenterology: revised Atlanta classification of pancreatitis?

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.