Infectious diseases: dengue shock: 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: dengue shock

Sample item

On day 5 of fever a child with dengue has cold extremities, narrow pulse pressure, a rising haematocrit and falling platelets. What is the first management step?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Isotonic crystalloid bolus of 10 to 20 mL/kg

Dengue shock syndrome is due to plasma leakage in the critical phase, and treatment is prompt isotonic crystalloid resuscitation with close monitoring of haematocrit. Platelet transfusion is not given for count alone, and NSAIDs and aspirin are avoided. NS1 antigen is positive in the first 5 days and IgM thereafter.

Option by option

  • A. Platelet transfusion

    Prophylactic platelets do not help and may cause overload.

  • B. Aspirin for fever

    Aspirin worsens bleeding.

  • C. Isotonic crystalloid bolus of 10 to 20 mL/kg (correct)

    Correct. Fluid replacement addresses plasma leakage.

  • D. Corticosteroids

    Steroids have no proven benefit.

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 General Medicine questions

Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is C, Isotonic crystalloid bolus of 10 to 20 mL/kg. Dengue shock syndrome is due to plasma leakage in the critical phase, and treatment is prompt isotonic crystalloid resuscitation with close monitoring of haematocrit.

Why is "Platelet transfusion" not the answer?

Prophylactic platelets do not help and may cause overload.

Why is "Aspirin for fever" not the answer?

Aspirin worsens bleeding.

Why is "Corticosteroids" not the answer?

Steroids have no proven benefit.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infectious diseases: dengue shock in General Medicine. Platelet transfusion is not given for count alone, and NSAIDs and aspirin are avoided. NS1 antigen is positive in the first 5 days and IgM thereafter.

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 Infectious diseases: dengue shock?

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.