Complications of pregnancy: ectopic pregnancy: practice question

A OBG 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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OBG · Complications of pregnancy: ectopic pregnancy

Sample item

A haemodynamically stable woman with an unruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy is being considered for methotrexate. Which finding makes medical treatment unsuitable?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Fetal cardiac activity seen in the tubal mass

Cardiac activity in the ectopic is associated with a higher failure rate and rupture risk, so surgery is preferred. Good candidates are stable, have a small mass, a low hCG and can attend follow-up.

Option by option

  • A. A small adnexal mass

    A small mass favours medical treatment.

  • B. Low and stable hCG value

    A low hCG favours medical treatment.

  • C. Reliable access to follow-up

    Reliable follow-up is needed for safe methotrexate use.

  • D. Fetal cardiac activity seen in the tubal mass (correct)

    Correct. Cardiac activity predicts failure of methotrexate.

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 OBG questions

Questions about this OBG question

What is the answer to this OBG question?

The best answer is D, Fetal cardiac activity seen in the tubal mass. Cardiac activity in the ectopic is associated with a higher failure rate and rupture risk, so surgery is preferred.

Why is "A small adnexal mass" not the answer?

A small mass favours medical treatment.

Why is "Low and stable hCG value" not the answer?

A low hCG favours medical treatment.

Why is "Reliable access to follow-up" not the answer?

Reliable follow-up is needed for safe methotrexate use.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Complications of pregnancy: ectopic pregnancy in OBG. Good candidates are stable, have a small mass, a low hCG and can attend follow-up.

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 Complications of pregnancy: ectopic pregnancy?

Learn management algorithms as steps: PPH, eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy. Then use the flashcards and the other OBG 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.