Surgical quality: antibiotic 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 quality: antibiotic prophylaxis

Sample item

What is the main purpose of giving a correctly timed prophylactic antibiotic before a clean-contaminated operation?

AEliminate need for postoperative monitoringBEnsure adequate tissue drug concentration at the time of incisionCTreat any infection that develops months laterDReplace sterile technique

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Ensure adequate tissue drug concentration at the time of incision

Surgical prophylaxis is timed so effective antimicrobial levels are present when contamination is most likely, especially at incision. It complements sterile technique and should not be prolonged unnecessarily without indication.

Option by option

A. Eliminate need for postoperative monitoring
Postoperative monitoring remains necessary.
B. Ensure adequate tissue drug concentration at the time of incision (correct)
Correct. Timing at incision is key to preventing surgical-site infection.
C. Treat any infection that develops months later
Prophylaxis is not intended to treat remote future infection.
D. Replace sterile technique
Antibiotics do not substitute for asepsis.

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 B, Ensure adequate tissue drug concentration at the time of incision. Surgical prophylaxis is timed so effective antimicrobial levels are present when contamination is most likely, especially at incision.

Why is "Eliminate need for postoperative monitoring" not the answer?

Postoperative monitoring remains necessary.

Why is "Treat any infection that develops months later" not the answer?

Prophylaxis is not intended to treat remote future infection.

Why is "Replace sterile technique" not the answer?

Antibiotics do not substitute for asepsis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Surgical quality: antibiotic prophylaxis in General Surgery. It complements sterile technique and should not be prolonged unnecessarily without indication.

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 quality: antibiotic 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.