Paediatric infections: bacterial meningitis therapy: 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 · Paediatric infections: bacterial meningitis therapy

Sample item

A 2-year-old has fever, neck stiffness and turbid CSF with neutrophils and low glucose. Which management is correct?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Ceftriaxone for 10 days with dexamethasone given before or with the first antibiotic dose

Bacterial meningitis beyond the neonatal period is treated with ceftriaxone or cefotaxime for 7 to 10 days. Dexamethasone given before or with the first dose reduces hearing loss, especially in Haemophilus influenzae type b disease.

Option by option

  • A. Ceftriaxone for 10 days with dexamethasone given before or with the first antibiotic dose (correct)

    Correct. Ceftriaxone with timely dexamethasone is recommended.

  • B. Oral cotrimoxazole

    Oral antibiotics are unsuitable for meningitis.

  • C. Steroids after 24 hours of antibiotics

    Late steroids lose the anti-inflammatory benefit.

  • D. Ampicillin alone for 3 days

    Ampicillin alone for 3 days is inadequate.

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 Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is A, Ceftriaxone for 10 days with dexamethasone given before or with the first antibiotic dose. Bacterial meningitis beyond the neonatal period is treated with ceftriaxone or cefotaxime for 7 to 10 days.

Why is "Oral cotrimoxazole" not the answer?

Oral antibiotics are unsuitable for meningitis.

Why is "Steroids after 24 hours of antibiotics" not the answer?

Late steroids lose the anti-inflammatory benefit.

Why is "Ampicillin alone for 3 days" not the answer?

Ampicillin alone for 3 days is inadequate.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric infections: bacterial meningitis therapy in Pediatrics. Dexamethasone given before or with the first dose reduces hearing loss, especially in Haemophilus influenzae type b disease.

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 Paediatric infections: bacterial meningitis therapy?

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.