Obstetric imaging: placenta praevia: practice question

A Radiology 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.

Try it

Radiology · Obstetric imaging: placenta praevia

Sample item

A woman at 32 weeks has painless vaginal bleeding. Which is the investigation of choice, and what should be avoided before it?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound; digital vaginal examination should be avoided

Painless bleeding in the third trimester suggests placenta praevia, which is diagnosed with ultrasound, and transvaginal scanning is safe and more accurate for the relation of the placenta to the internal os. Vaginal examination can precipitate haemorrhage. MRI helps to assess placenta accreta spectrum.

Option by option

  • A. CT pelvis

    CT adds radiation without benefit.

  • B. Digital vaginal examination to feel the placenta

    Digital examination may cause massive bleeding.

  • C. Transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound; digital vaginal examination should be avoided (correct)

    Correct. Ultrasound is diagnostic and vaginal examination must be avoided.

  • D. X-ray pelvimetry

    X-ray pelvimetry is not used for diagnosis.

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 Radiology questions

Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is C, Transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound; digital vaginal examination should be avoided. Painless bleeding in the third trimester suggests placenta praevia, which is diagnosed with ultrasound, and transvaginal scanning is safe and more accurate for the relation of the placenta to the internal os.

Why is "CT pelvis" not the answer?

CT adds radiation without benefit.

Why is "Digital vaginal examination to feel the placenta" not the answer?

Digital examination may cause massive bleeding.

Why is "X-ray pelvimetry" not the answer?

X-ray pelvimetry is not used for diagnosis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Obstetric imaging: placenta praevia in Radiology. Vaginal examination can precipitate haemorrhage. MRI helps to assess placenta accreta spectrum.

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 Obstetric imaging: placenta praevia?

Learn signs with the image, and the disease they point to. Then use the flashcards and the other Radiology 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.