Endocrine drugs: glucocorticoid haematological effects: practice question

A Pharmacology 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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Pharmacology · Endocrine drugs: glucocorticoid haematological effects

Sample item

A man started on prednisolone 40 mg daily has a blood count taken one week later. Which pattern is expected?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Neutrophilia with lymphopenia and eosinopenia

Glucocorticoids demarginate neutrophils and delay their apoptosis, giving neutrophilia, while lymphocytes and eosinophils fall through redistribution and apoptosis. Steroids are used to treat lymphoid malignancy and eosinophilic disease.

Option by option

  • A. Neutropenia with lymphocytosis and eosinophilia

    This is the reverse pattern of the steroid effect.

  • B. Pancytopenia with reticulocytosis

    Steroids do not cause pancytopenia.

  • C. Neutrophilia with lymphocytosis and eosinophilia

    Lymphocytes and eosinophils fall with steroids and do not rise.

  • D. Neutrophilia with lymphopenia and eosinopenia (correct)

    Correct. Glucocorticoids raise neutrophils and lower lymphocytes and eosinophils.

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 Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is D, Neutrophilia with lymphopenia and eosinopenia. Glucocorticoids demarginate neutrophils and delay their apoptosis, giving neutrophilia, while lymphocytes and eosinophils fall through redistribution and apoptosis.

Why is "Neutropenia with lymphocytosis and eosinophilia" not the answer?

This is the reverse pattern of the steroid effect.

Why is "Pancytopenia with reticulocytosis" not the answer?

Steroids do not cause pancytopenia.

Why is "Neutrophilia with lymphocytosis and eosinophilia" not the answer?

Lymphocytes and eosinophils fall with steroids and do not rise.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Endocrine drugs: glucocorticoid haematological effects in Pharmacology. Steroids are used to treat lymphoid malignancy and eosinophilic disease.

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 Endocrine drugs: glucocorticoid haematological effects?

Learn drugs as classes, then the exception in each class that an examiner would pick. Then use the flashcards and the other Pharmacology 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.