Pancreas: revised Atlanta classification: practice question

A General Surgery 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 Surgery · Pancreas: revised Atlanta classification

Sample item

According to the revised Atlanta classification, which feature defines severe acute pancreatitis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Persistent organ failure lasting more than 48 hours

Mild pancreatitis has no organ failure or local complication, moderately severe has transient organ failure of under 48 hours or local complications, and severe has persistent organ failure beyond 48 hours. Organ failure is scored by the modified Marshall system. Enzyme levels and pain duration do not define severity.

Option by option

  • A. Presence of any peripancreatic collection

    Collections alone indicate local complications, not severity.

  • B. Persistent organ failure lasting more than 48 hours (correct)

    Correct. Persistent organ failure defines severe disease.

  • C. Serum amylase above 1000

    Enzyme level does not grade severity.

  • D. Pain lasting more than 24 hours

    Pain duration does not grade severity.

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 Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is B, Persistent organ failure lasting more than 48 hours. Mild pancreatitis has no organ failure or local complication, moderately severe has transient organ failure of under 48 hours or local complications, and severe has persistent organ failure beyond 48 hours.

Why is "Presence of any peripancreatic collection" not the answer?

Collections alone indicate local complications, not severity.

Why is "Serum amylase above 1000" not the answer?

Enzyme level does not grade severity.

Why is "Pain lasting more than 24 hours" not the answer?

Pain duration does not grade severity.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pancreas: revised Atlanta classification in General Surgery. Organ failure is scored by the modified Marshall system. Enzyme levels and pain duration do not define severity.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Pancreas: revised Atlanta classification?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery 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.