Non-communicable diseases: primary prevention of rheumatic fever: 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.

Try it

PSM · Non-communicable diseases: primary prevention of rheumatic fever

Sample item

Primary prevention of rheumatic fever consists of:

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Prompt treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis with penicillin

Adequate treatment of group A streptococcal sore throat, ideally within 9 days of onset, prevents the first attack. Monthly benzathine penicillin after an attack is secondary prevention.

Option by option

  • A. Cardiac surgery for valve lesions

    Valve surgery is tertiary care.

  • B. Anticoagulation

    Anticoagulation is for complications like atrial fibrillation.

  • C. Prompt treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis with penicillin (correct)

    Correct. Treating pharyngitis early prevents the first attack.

  • D. Monthly benzathine penicillin after an attack

    Monthly prophylaxis after an attack is secondary prevention.

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 C, Prompt treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis with penicillin. Adequate treatment of group A streptococcal sore throat, ideally within 9 days of onset, prevents the first attack.

Why is "Cardiac surgery for valve lesions" not the answer?

Valve surgery is tertiary care.

Why is "Anticoagulation" not the answer?

Anticoagulation is for complications like atrial fibrillation.

Why is "Monthly benzathine penicillin after an attack" not the answer?

Monthly prophylaxis after an attack is secondary prevention.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Non-communicable diseases: primary prevention of rheumatic fever in PSM. Monthly benzathine penicillin after an attack is secondary prevention.

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 Non-communicable diseases: primary prevention of rheumatic fever?

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.