Immunisation: pertussis encephalopathy: practice question

A Pediatrics 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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Pediatrics · Immunisation: pertussis encephalopathy

Sample item

An infant developed encephalopathy with convulsions and coma 4 days after the first dose of whole cell DPT, with no other cause found. What should be done at the next scheduled visit?

AGive a double dose of DPTBWithhold further pertussis-containing vaccine and give DT insteadCGive another dose of DPT as scheduledDStop all vaccines including measles

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Withhold further pertussis-containing vaccine and give DT instead

Encephalopathy within 7 days of a whole cell pertussis dose without another cause is a contraindication to further pertussis-containing vaccines. DT is used to complete the diphtheria and tetanus series.

Option by option

A. Give a double dose of DPT
A double dose would increase the risk.
B. Withhold further pertussis-containing vaccine and give DT instead (correct)
Correct. Pertussis component is avoided and DT is used.
C. Give another dose of DPT as scheduled
Repeating DPT risks recurrence of encephalopathy.
D. Stop all vaccines including measles
Other non-pertussis vaccines are not contraindicated.

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.

Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is B, Withhold further pertussis-containing vaccine and give DT instead. Encephalopathy within 7 days of a whole cell pertussis dose without another cause is a contraindication to further pertussis-containing vaccines.

Why is "Give a double dose of DPT" not the answer?

A double dose would increase the risk.

Why is "Give another dose of DPT as scheduled" not the answer?

Repeating DPT risks recurrence of encephalopathy.

Why is "Stop all vaccines including measles" not the answer?

Other non-pertussis vaccines are not contraindicated.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Immunisation: pertussis encephalopathy in Pediatrics. DT is used to complete the diphtheria and tetanus series.

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 Immunisation: pertussis encephalopathy?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics 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.