Communicable diseases: PPTCT: 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: PPTCT

Sample item

Under the national programme for prevention of parent-to-child transmission of HIV, an HIV-positive pregnant woman should receive:

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Lifelong antiretroviral therapy irrespective of CD4 count

All HIV-positive pregnant and breastfeeding women are started on lifelong ART regardless of CD4 count or clinical stage. The infant receives nevirapine prophylaxis, and exclusive breastfeeding is advised with maternal ART.

Option by option

  • A. Lifelong antiretroviral therapy irrespective of CD4 count (correct)

    Correct. Lifelong ART for all is the policy.

  • B. ART only during labour

    Intrapartum-only regimens are outdated.

  • C. No treatment if viral load is low

    Treatment is indicated irrespective of viral load.

  • D. ART for 6 weeks postpartum

    A short postpartum course is not sufficient.

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, Lifelong antiretroviral therapy irrespective of CD4 count. All HIV-positive pregnant and breastfeeding women are started on lifelong ART regardless of CD4 count or clinical stage.

Why is "ART only during labour" not the answer?

Intrapartum-only regimens are outdated.

Why is "No treatment if viral load is low" not the answer?

Treatment is indicated irrespective of viral load.

Why is "ART for 6 weeks postpartum" not the answer?

A short postpartum course is not sufficient.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Communicable diseases: PPTCT in PSM. The infant receives nevirapine prophylaxis, and exclusive breastfeeding is advised with maternal ART.

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: PPTCT?

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.