Infectious diseases: 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 · Infectious diseases

Sample item

Which symptom cluster should prompt concern for meningitis in a child?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Fever, headache, neck stiffness, and altered behavior

Meningitis may present with fever, headache, neck stiffness, photophobia, vomiting, rash, or altered consciousness; urgent assessment and treatment are essential when suspected.

Option by option

  • A. Painless chronic constipation

    Constipation alone is not a meningitis warning sign.

  • B. Mild near-vision blur

    Near-vision blur does not define acute CNS infection.

  • C. Fever, headache, neck stiffness, and altered behavior (correct)

    Correct: these systemic neurologic signs are meningitis red flags.

  • D. Itchy scalp after shampoo

    Scalp itch is not a meningitis presentation.

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, Fever, headache, neck stiffness, and altered behavior. Meningitis may present with fever, headache, neck stiffness, photophobia, vomiting, rash, or altered consciousness; urgent assessment and treatment are essential when suspected.

Why is "Painless chronic constipation" not the answer?

Constipation alone is not a meningitis warning sign.

Why is "Mild near-vision blur" not the answer?

Near-vision blur does not define acute CNS infection.

Why is "Itchy scalp after shampoo" not the answer?

Scalp itch is not a meningitis presentation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infectious diseases in Pediatrics. The correct option holds because: Correct: these systemic neurologic signs are meningitis red flags.

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 Infectious diseases?

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.