Inflammation and repair: stages of lobar pneumonia: 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 and repair: stages of lobar pneumonia

Sample item

At autopsy of a man who died of pneumococcal lobar pneumonia, one lobe is red, firm and airless with a dry granular cut surface. Alveoli are packed with neutrophils, red cells and fibrin. Which stage is this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Red hepatization

Red hepatization follows congestion and shows alveoli filled with neutrophils, extravasated red cells and fibrin, so the lobe is red and liver-like. In grey hepatization the red cells lyse and the exudate becomes paler. Resolution follows with enzymatic digestion of the exudate and macrophage clearance.

Option by option

  • A. Grey hepatization

    In grey hepatization the red cells have disintegrated, leaving a greyish-brown surface of fibrin and neutrophils.

  • B. Resolution

    Resolution involves digestion of exudate and macrophage clearance, restoring aerated lung.

  • C. Red hepatization (correct)

    Correct. Neutrophils, red cells and fibrin fill the alveoli, giving a firm red lobe.

  • D. Congestion

    Congestion shows vascular engorgement and watery alveolar fluid with few neutrophils, and the lung is heavy but still partly aerated.

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 C, Red hepatization. Red hepatization follows congestion and shows alveoli filled with neutrophils, extravasated red cells and fibrin, so the lobe is red and liver-like.

Why is "Grey hepatization" not the answer?

In grey hepatization the red cells have disintegrated, leaving a greyish-brown surface of fibrin and neutrophils.

Why is "Resolution" not the answer?

Resolution involves digestion of exudate and macrophage clearance, restoring aerated lung.

Why is "Congestion" not the answer?

Congestion shows vascular engorgement and watery alveolar fluid with few neutrophils, and the lung is heavy but still partly aerated.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Inflammation and repair: stages of lobar pneumonia in Pathology. In grey hepatization the red cells lyse and the exudate becomes paler. Resolution follows with enzymatic digestion of the exudate and macrophage clearance.

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 and repair: stages of lobar pneumonia?

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.