Paediatric infections: giardiasis and amoebiasis: 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: giardiasis and amoebiasis

Sample item

A 5-year-old has foul-smelling greasy stools, bloating and weight loss for 3 weeks, and stool microscopy shows trophozoites with a pear shape. Which drug is appropriate?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Tinidazole or metronidazole

Giardia lamblia causes malabsorptive diarrhoea and is treated with tinidazole, metronidazole or nitazoxanide, and amoebiasis responds to the same nitroimidazoles. Albendazole is used for roundworms.

Option by option

  • A. Cotrimoxazole

    Cotrimoxazole is not first-line for Giardia.

  • B. Albendazole

    Albendazole is for helminths.

  • C. Tinidazole or metronidazole (correct)

    Correct. Nitroimidazoles treat giardiasis and amoebiasis.

  • D. Ciprofloxacin

    Ciprofloxacin is not effective against protozoa.

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 C, Tinidazole or metronidazole. Giardia lamblia causes malabsorptive diarrhoea and is treated with tinidazole, metronidazole or nitazoxanide, and amoebiasis responds to the same nitroimidazoles.

Why is "Cotrimoxazole" not the answer?

Cotrimoxazole is not first-line for Giardia.

Why is "Albendazole" not the answer?

Albendazole is for helminths.

Why is "Ciprofloxacin" not the answer?

Ciprofloxacin is not effective against protozoa.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric infections: giardiasis and amoebiasis in Pediatrics. Albendazole is used for roundworms.

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 Paediatric infections: giardiasis and amoebiasis?

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.