Communicable diseases: leprosy treatment duration: practice question

A PSM 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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PSM · Communicable diseases: leprosy treatment duration

Sample item

In programme management of leprosy with WHO multidrug therapy, the standard duration of treatment for multibacillary and paucibacillary cases is respectively:

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. 12 months and 6 months

Multibacillary leprosy is treated for 12 months and paucibacillary leprosy for 6 months with fixed-dose multidrug therapy blister packs. Treatment is given as supervised monthly doses and self-administered daily doses.

Option by option

  • A. 24 months and 12 months

    24 months was the previous MB duration.

  • B. 6 months and 12 months

    This reverses the durations.

  • C. 12 months and 6 months (correct)

    Correct. MB 12 months and PB 6 months.

  • D. 3 months and 6 months

    3 months is too short for either type.

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 PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is C, 12 months and 6 months. Multibacillary leprosy is treated for 12 months and paucibacillary leprosy for 6 months with fixed-dose multidrug therapy blister packs.

Why is "24 months and 12 months" not the answer?

24 months was the previous MB duration.

Why is "6 months and 12 months" not the answer?

This reverses the durations.

Why is "3 months and 6 months" not the answer?

3 months is too short for either type.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Communicable diseases: leprosy treatment duration in PSM. Treatment is given as supervised monthly doses and self-administered daily doses.

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 Communicable diseases: leprosy treatment duration?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM 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.