Infectious diseases: meningitis: practice question

A General Medicine 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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General Medicine · Infectious diseases: meningitis

Sample item

A febrile patient has headache, neck stiffness, photophobia, and a nonblanching purpuric rash. What is the appropriate approach?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Treat suspected bacterial meningitis urgently after obtaining indicated cultures

Suspected bacterial meningitis with possible meningococcemia is a time-critical emergency. Antimicrobials should not be delayed for procedures when they would cause a clinically unsafe wait, and resuscitation takes priority in instability.

Option by option

  • A. Treat suspected bacterial meningitis urgently after obtaining indicated cultures (correct)

    Correct. Prompt treatment is crucial because deterioration can be rapid.

  • B. Give oral antihistamine only

    An antihistamine does not treat invasive bacterial infection.

  • C. Perform lumbar puncture before any stabilization

    Lumbar puncture may be delayed when contraindications or instability are present.

  • D. Wait for rash resolution before treatment

    Waiting risks septic shock, neurologic injury, and death.

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 General Medicine questions

Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is A, Treat suspected bacterial meningitis urgently after obtaining indicated cultures. Suspected bacterial meningitis with possible meningococcemia is a time-critical emergency.

Why is "Give oral antihistamine only" not the answer?

An antihistamine does not treat invasive bacterial infection.

Why is "Perform lumbar puncture before any stabilization" not the answer?

Lumbar puncture may be delayed when contraindications or instability are present.

Why is "Wait for rash resolution before treatment" not the answer?

Waiting risks septic shock, neurologic injury, and death.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infectious diseases: meningitis in General Medicine. Antimicrobials should not be delayed for procedures when they would cause a clinically unsafe wait, and resuscitation takes priority in instability.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: meningitis?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine 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.