Vascular surgery: DVT probability: 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 · Vascular surgery: DVT probability

Sample item

A patient with a swollen calf has a low pretest probability score for deep vein thrombosis. Which strategy safely excludes DVT?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. A negative D-dimer test

In low-probability patients a negative D-dimer, a sensitive but nonspecific test, effectively rules out DVT, and further imaging is unnecessary. A positive D-dimer, or intermediate or high probability, calls for compression duplex ultrasound. D-dimer is raised in surgery, malignancy and pregnancy, so it is of limited value there.

Option by option

  • A. A negative D-dimer test (correct)

    Correct. Low probability with a negative D-dimer excludes DVT.

  • B. A normal serum creatinine

    Creatinine is unrelated.

  • C. A normal haemoglobin

    Haemoglobin does not influence the diagnosis.

  • D. A normal chest film

    A chest film does not assess leg veins.

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 A, A negative D-dimer test. In low-probability patients a negative D-dimer, a sensitive but nonspecific test, effectively rules out DVT, and further imaging is unnecessary.

Why is "A normal serum creatinine" not the answer?

Creatinine is unrelated.

Why is "A normal haemoglobin" not the answer?

Haemoglobin does not influence the diagnosis.

Why is "A normal chest film" not the answer?

A chest film does not assess leg veins.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Vascular surgery: DVT probability in General Surgery. A positive D-dimer, or intermediate or high probability, calls for compression duplex ultrasound. D-dimer is raised in surgery, malignancy and pregnancy, so it is of limited value there.

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 Vascular surgery: DVT probability?

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.