Communicable diseases: mass drug administration for filariasis: 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: mass drug administration for filariasis

Sample item

In the annual mass drug administration for lymphatic filariasis in India, the drugs used in the standard two-drug regimen are:

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Diethylcarbamazine and albendazole

The standard MDA regimen is a single dose of DEC plus albendazole annually, and in selected districts a triple-drug regimen adds ivermectin. DEC is not given to children under 2 years, pregnant women and the seriously ill.

Option by option

  • A. Diethylcarbamazine and albendazole (correct)

    Correct. DEC with albendazole is the standard regimen.

  • B. Doxycycline and rifampicin

    Doxycycline has been studied for filarial adult worms but is not part of MDA.

  • C. Ivermectin and praziquantel

    Praziquantel is used for schistosomiasis.

  • D. Albendazole and mebendazole

    Albendazole with mebendazole are both anthelmintics, not the MDA pair.

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 PSM questions

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is A, Diethylcarbamazine and albendazole. The standard MDA regimen is a single dose of DEC plus albendazole annually, and in selected districts a triple-drug regimen adds ivermectin.

Why is "Doxycycline and rifampicin" not the answer?

Doxycycline has been studied for filarial adult worms but is not part of MDA.

Why is "Ivermectin and praziquantel" not the answer?

Praziquantel is used for schistosomiasis.

Why is "Albendazole and mebendazole" not the answer?

Albendazole with mebendazole are both anthelmintics, not the MDA pair.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Communicable diseases: mass drug administration for filariasis in PSM. DEC is not given to children under 2 years, pregnant women and the seriously ill.

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: mass drug administration for filariasis?

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.