General Pathology Practice Questions

Q: Congenital hypercoagulability states include all of the following EXCEPT:

Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. The core concept tested here is the distinction between **inherited (congenital)** and **acquired** hypercoagulable states (thrombophilias) [1]. **Why Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (APS) is the correct answer:** APS is an **acquired** autoimmune hypercoagulable state characterized by the presence of antibodies (Lupus anticoagulant, Anti-cardiolipin, or Anti-β2 glycoprotein I) against phospholipid-binding proteins [1]. It is not a genetic condition present from birth; rather, it develops later in life, often secondary to other autoimmune diseases like SLE [3]. **Analysis of Incorrect Options (Congenital Causes):** * **Protein C & S Deficiency:** These are autosomal dominant inherited conditions [1]. Protein C and S are natural anticoagants that inactivate Factors Va and VIIIa. Their deficiency leads to an unchecked coagulation cascade. * **MTHFR Gene Mutation:** This is a genetic mutation (Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) that leads to hyperhomocysteinemia. Elevated homocysteine levels are a known genetic risk factor for both arterial and venous thrombosis. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Most Common Inherited Cause:** Factor V Leiden mutation (resistance to Activated Protein C) [1]. * **Most Common Acquired Cause:** Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome [2]. * **Paradoxical Lab Finding:** In APS, the **aPTT is prolonged** *in vitro*, but the patient is at high risk for thrombosis *in vivo*. * **Clinical Triad of APS:** Venous/arterial thrombosis, recurrent fetal loss, and thrombocytopenia [3]. * **Warfarin-Induced Skin Necrosis:** Classically associated with Protein C deficiency due to the rapid depletion of Protein C (short half-life) before the depletion of procoagulant factors.

Q: The embolus depicted in the cross-section is an example of which type?

Saddle embolus. ***Saddle embolus*** - An embolus that **straddles a vessel bifurcation** in cross-section, resembling a saddle across the branching point. - Most commonly occurs at the **pulmonary artery bifurcation** (pulmonary saddle embolus) or **aortic bifurcation**, causing bilateral obstruction and severe hemodynamic compromise. *Paradoxical embolus* - Occurs when an embolus crosses from the **venous to arterial circulation** through a **right-to-left shunt** (e.g., patent foramen ovale). - Does not describe the **morphological appearance** of an embolus straddling a bifurcation as seen in cross-section. *Retrograde embolus* - An embolus that travels **against the normal direction of blood flow**, typically due to reversal of flow or gravitational effects. - This term describes the **direction of movement**, not the characteristic cross-sectional appearance at a vessel bifurcation. *Atheroembolus* - Composed of **cholesterol crystals** and **atherosclerotic plaque material** that breaks off from ulcerated plaques. - Typically appears as **needle-shaped cholesterol clefts** in tissue sections, not as a large embolus straddling a bifurcation.

Q: Hemorrhagic infarction is seen in which of the following conditions?

Venous thrombosis. **Explanation:** The correct answer is **Venous Thrombosis**. **1. Why Venous Thrombosis is correct:** In the brain, venous drainage is responsible for removing deoxygenated blood. When a cerebral venous sinus or vein is occluded (e.g., Superior Sagittal Sinus thrombosis), the inflow of arterial blood continues, but the outflow is blocked. This leads to a rapid increase in retrograde capillary hydrostatic pressure, causing the rupture of small vessels and the leakage of blood into the infarcted tissue. This process transforms an ischemic area into a **hemorrhagic infarction** [1]. **2. Why other options are incorrect:** * **Thrombosis (Arterial):** Arterial thrombosis typically causes a "pale" or "white" infarct because the blood supply is cut off at the source, preventing blood from entering the distal tissue [1]. * **Septicaemia:** While septicaemia can cause disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) or petechial hemorrhages, it is not a primary cause of localized hemorrhagic infarction. * **Embolism:** While embolic strokes *can* undergo secondary hemorrhagic transformation (reperfusion injury), the classic association for a primary, inherently hemorrhagic infarct in neuroanatomy exams is venous occlusion [1]. **3. NEET-PG High-Yield Pearls:** * **Venous Infarcts** are often bilateral and do not follow traditional arterial territories. * **Common Site:** Superior Sagittal Sinus is the most common site for venous thrombosis, often associated with pregnancy, dehydration, or hypercoagulable states. * **Imaging:** On MRI/CT, look for the **"Empty Delta Sign"** (post-contrast) in the superior sagittal sinus. * **Rule of Thumb:** Arterial occlusion = Pale Infarct; Venous occlusion = Hemorrhagic Infarct [1].

Q: The given pedigree chart most appropriately resembles which of the following diseases?

Duchenne's muscular dystrophy. ***Duchenne's muscular dystrophy*** - Exhibits classic **X-linked recessive inheritance** pattern with affected males, unaffected carrier females, and **no male-to-male transmission**. - The **dystrophin gene** mutation on the X chromosome causes progressive muscle weakness primarily in boys, matching the pedigree pattern. *Rett syndrome* - Follows **X-linked dominant inheritance** with affected females and is typically **lethal in males**. - Shows a different pattern where affected mothers can pass the condition to both male and female offspring. *Albinism* - Demonstrates **autosomal recessive inheritance** affecting both males and females equally when both parents are carriers. - Would show horizontal pattern in siblings rather than the **vertical male-predominant** pattern seen in X-linked conditions. *Marfan syndrome* - Follows **autosomal dominant inheritance** with **vertical transmission** through generations affecting both sexes equally. - Shows **50% risk** to offspring regardless of gender, unlike the sex-linked pattern in the pedigree.

Question 1

A wedge-shaped area in the adrenal gland is affected. On histopathology, the nucleus is not seen but cellular outlines are intact. Which type of necrosis is being described?

Accepted Answer

Coagulative

Answer

Liquefactive

Answer

Fibrinoid

Answer

Caseous

Question 2

Fat necrosis is not associated with which of the following procedures or conditions?

Accepted Answer

Carcinoma of the breast

Answer

Liposuction

Answer

Mammoplasty

Answer

Trauma

Question 3

Congenital hypercoagulability states include all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome

Answer

Protein C deficiency

Answer

Protein S deficiency

Answer

MTHFR gene mutation

Question 4

Hemorrhagic infarction is seen in all except:

Accepted Answer

Septicemia

Answer

Venous thrombosis

Answer

Thrombosis

Answer

Embolism

Question 5

The embolus depicted in the cross-section is an example of which type?

Accepted Answer

Saddle embolus

Answer

Paradoxical embolus

Answer

Retrograde embolus

Answer

Atheroembolus

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a mononuclear-macrophage?

Accepted Answer

B-cells

Answer

Histiocytes

Answer

Microglia

Answer

Kupffer cells

Question 7

Hemorrhagic infarction is seen in which of the following conditions?

Accepted Answer

Venous thrombosis

Answer

Thrombosis

Answer

Septicaemia

Answer

Embolism

Question 8

A 60-year-old man presents with acute liver failure and undergoes successful orthotopic liver transplantation. For the first 3 days post-transplant, the graft exhibits poor function, characterized by minimal bile production. This poor graft function is attributed to reperfusion injury. Which of the following substances is the most likely cause of reperfusion injury in this transplanted liver?

Accepted Answer

Reactive oxygen species

Answer

Cationic proteins

Answer

Free ferric iron

Answer

Hydrochlorous acid

Question 9

All of the following are stress sensors/regulators for apoptosis, except?

Accepted Answer

BAX

Answer

Puma

Answer

Noxa

Answer

BiM

Question 10

The given pedigree chart most appropriately resembles which of the following diseases?

Accepted Answer

Duchenne's muscular dystrophy

Answer

Rett syndrome

Answer

Albinism

Answer

Marfan syndrome

General Pathology — MCQs

General Pathology — MCQs

On this page

Practice by Chapter

Want unlimited practice?