SZABMU MD Part-I Paper II MCQs: Inflammation, Infection & Sepsis

Inflammation, Infection and Sepsis is the single highest-weighted topic in SZABMU MD Part-I Paper II — 12% of the paper, more than any other Paper II subject — and it's also the largest subject by question count in HighYield's own MD bank. Here is a sample set.

Sample MCQs

1. Which of the following is NOT one of the four cardinal signs of acute inflammation described by Celsus?

• A) Redness (rubor)
• B) Heat (calor)
• C) Pallor ✅
• D) Swelling (tumor)

The classic cardinal signs are redness, heat, swelling and pain; pallor is not one of them.

2. According to the Sepsis-3 consensus definition, sepsis is best defined as:

• A) The presence of bacteria in the blood
• B) SIRS plus a suspected source of infection
• C) Life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection ✅
• D) Hypotension refractory to fluid resuscitation

Sepsis-3 moved away from the older SIRS-based definition to one centred on organ dysfunction.

3. Which of the following is NOT one of the three quick SOFA (qSOFA) criteria?

• A) Respiratory rate ≥22/min
• B) Altered mentation
• C) Systolic blood pressure ≤100 mmHg
• D) Temperature >38.3°C ✅

qSOFA uses respiratory rate, altered mentation and systolic blood pressure — temperature is part of SIRS, not qSOFA.

4. In septic shock, the Surviving Sepsis Campaign's hour-1 bundle prioritises:

• A) Starting broad-spectrum antibiotics and IV fluids within the first hour ✅
• B) Vasopressors before any fluid resuscitation
• C) Delaying antibiotics until blood culture results return
• D) Oral antibiotics once the patient stabilises

Early fluids and early broad-spectrum antibiotics, ideally within the first hour, are the cornerstone of sepsis bundles.

5. Compared with CRP, procalcitonin is considered more specific for:

• A) Viral infection
• B) Bacterial infection ✅
• C) Autoimmune flare
• D) Malignancy

Procalcitonin rises more specifically in bacterial infection and is used to guide antibiotic duration.

6. A straw-coloured fluid collection with low protein and low cell count is best classified as:

• A) Transudate ✅
• B) Purulent exudate
• C) Fibrinous exudate
• D) Haemorrhagic exudate

Transudates form from hydrostatic/oncotic pressure imbalance, not inflammation, and are low in protein and cells.

7. The predominant cell type in acute inflammation is the:

• A) Neutrophil ✅
• B) Lymphocyte
• C) Macrophage
• D) Plasma cell

Neutrophils dominate the acute phase; lymphocytes, macrophages and plasma cells characterise chronic inflammation.

8. Which mast-cell mediator is chiefly responsible for the immediate vasodilation and increased vascular permeability of acute inflammation?

• A) Histamine ✅
• B) Interleukin-10
• C) Collagen
• D) Fibrinogen

Histamine, released from mast cells, causes the early vasodilation and permeability changes of acute inflammation.

Study Notes

• Know SIRS criteria and qSOFA separately — they're tested as distractors for each other.
• Sepsis-3 definitions have replaced the older SIRS-based sepsis/severe sepsis distinction; expect questions written to the current consensus.
• Acute vs chronic inflammation cell types, and transudate vs exudate, are classic basic-pathology questions that repeat across postgraduate MCQ exams, not just SZABMU.

This is 12% of Paper II — see the full SZABMU MD/MS Part-I weightage breakdown for how it compares to the paper's other topics. Practise the rest of Paper II in cardiovascular, respiratory and gastroenterology MCQs and haematology, endocrine, neurology and nephrology MCQs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much of SZABMU MD Paper II is inflammation, infection and sepsis?

12% — the single highest-weighted topic in Paper II.

Is this topic tested differently for MD vs MS candidates?

Yes. MS Paper II (applied surgery) weights it even higher, at 15%, with more emphasis on surgical site infection and wound sepsis rather than systemic medical sepsis.

Practise With Explanations

The SZABMU MD QBank covers every Paper I and Paper II topic with an explanation for every question. The first 20 questions are free, no sign-in required.