Surgical infections: tetanus prophylaxis: practice question

A General Surgery 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 Surgery · Surgical infections: tetanus prophylaxis

Sample item

A patient with a heavily contaminated wound has an uncertain vaccination history. Which preventive principle is correct?

AGive antibiotics only and ignore immunization statusBClose the contaminated wound tightly without irrigationCAssess vaccine history and give tetanus vaccination with immunoglobulin when indicatedDWait for muscle spasm before acting

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Assess vaccine history and give tetanus vaccination with immunoglobulin when indicated

Tetanus prevention after wounds depends on wound type and prior immunization. Contaminated wounds require meticulous cleaning and appropriate vaccination, with tetanus immunoglobulin for selected inadequately immunized patients.

Option by option

A. Give antibiotics only and ignore immunization status
Antibiotics do not replace active and passive tetanus immunization when indicated.
B. Close the contaminated wound tightly without irrigation
Irrigation and debridement are important in contaminated wounds.
C. Assess vaccine history and give tetanus vaccination with immunoglobulin when indicated (correct)
Correct. Prophylaxis combines wound care with risk-based immunization measures.
D. Wait for muscle spasm before acting
Prophylaxis is required before symptoms because established tetanus is dangerous.

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.

Questions about this General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is C, Assess vaccine history and give tetanus vaccination with immunoglobulin when indicated. Tetanus prevention after wounds depends on wound type and prior immunization.

Why is "Give antibiotics only and ignore immunization status" not the answer?

Antibiotics do not replace active and passive tetanus immunization when indicated.

Why is "Close the contaminated wound tightly without irrigation" not the answer?

Irrigation and debridement are important in contaminated wounds.

Why is "Wait for muscle spasm before acting" not the answer?

Prophylaxis is required before symptoms because established tetanus is dangerous.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Surgical infections: tetanus prophylaxis in General Surgery. Contaminated wounds require meticulous cleaning and appropriate vaccination, with tetanus immunoglobulin for selected inadequately immunized patients.

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 Surgical infections: tetanus prophylaxis?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery 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.