Respiratory: pertussis: 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 · Respiratory: pertussis

Sample item

An unimmunized infant has paroxysmal cough followed by inspiratory whoop and posttussive vomiting. What infection is likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Pertussis

Pertussis causes paroxysmal cough, whoop, and vomiting; young infants may instead present with apnea. Early recognition enables treatment, isolation, and prophylaxis of appropriate close contacts.

Option by option

  • A. Pertussis (correct)

    Correct. The paroxysmal-whooping cough pattern is characteristic.

  • B. Epiglottitis

    Epiglottitis causes drooling and acute upper-airway distress.

  • C. Croup

    Croup causes barking cough and stridor.

  • D. Measles

    Measles causes fever, cough, coryza, conjunctivitis, and rash.

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 Pediatrics questions

Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is A, Pertussis. Pertussis causes paroxysmal cough, whoop, and vomiting; young infants may instead present with apnea.

Why is "Epiglottitis" not the answer?

Epiglottitis causes drooling and acute upper-airway distress.

Why is "Croup" not the answer?

Croup causes barking cough and stridor.

Why is "Measles" not the answer?

Measles causes fever, cough, coryza, conjunctivitis, and rash.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Respiratory: pertussis in Pediatrics. Early recognition enables treatment, isolation, and prophylaxis of appropriate close contacts.

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 Respiratory: pertussis?

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.