Infectious diseases: HIV post-exposure prophylaxis: practice question

A General Medicine 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 Medicine · Infectious diseases: HIV post-exposure prophylaxis

Sample item

A nurse has a needle-stick injury from an HIV-positive patient. When should PEP be started and for how long?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. As soon as possible, ideally within 2 hours and not later than 72 hours, for 28 days

Post-exposure prophylaxis should begin as soon as possible, ideally within 2 hours and no later than 72 hours, with a three-drug regimen such as tenofovir, lamivudine and dolutegravir for 28 days. Baseline and follow-up HIV testing are done. The wound is washed with soap and water.

Option by option

  • A. Only if HIV test is positive after 3 months

    Waiting for seroconversion defeats prophylaxis.

  • B. As soon as possible, ideally within 2 hours and not later than 72 hours, for 28 days (correct)

    Correct. Early start and 28 days of therapy.

  • C. Within 7 days for 3 days

    Three days is inadequate.

  • D. After 1 week for 7 days

    Delay of a week is ineffective.

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 Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is B, As soon as possible, ideally within 2 hours and not later than 72 hours, for 28 days. Post-exposure prophylaxis should begin as soon as possible, ideally within 2 hours and no later than 72 hours, with a three-drug regimen such as tenofovir, lamivudine and dolutegravir for 28 days.

Why is "Only if HIV test is positive after 3 months" not the answer?

Waiting for seroconversion defeats prophylaxis.

Why is "Within 7 days for 3 days" not the answer?

Three days is inadequate.

Why is "After 1 week for 7 days" not the answer?

Delay of a week is ineffective.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infectious diseases: HIV post-exposure prophylaxis in General Medicine. Baseline and follow-up HIV testing are done. The wound is washed with soap and water.

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 Infectious diseases: HIV post-exposure prophylaxis?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine 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.