Neurology: meningococcal sepsis: 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 · Neurology: meningococcal sepsis

Sample item

A febrile child has rapidly spreading nonblanching purpura, cold peripheries, prolonged capillary refill, and reduced consciousness. What is the immediate priority?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Resuscitation and urgent broad-spectrum antimicrobial treatment

Meningococcal sepsis can progress rapidly to shock and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Immediate resuscitation and antibiotics must not be delayed for confirmatory testing.

Option by option

  • A. Schedule routine clinic follow-up

    Routine follow-up is inappropriate in shock.

  • B. Give only topical steroid

    Topical steroid does not treat invasive bacterial infection.

  • C. Wait for a full rash history at home

    Home observation is unsafe.

  • D. Resuscitation and urgent broad-spectrum antimicrobial treatment (correct)

    Correct. This is a time-critical septic-shock 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 D, Resuscitation and urgent broad-spectrum antimicrobial treatment. Meningococcal sepsis can progress rapidly to shock and disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Why is "Schedule routine clinic follow-up" not the answer?

Routine follow-up is inappropriate in shock.

Why is "Give only topical steroid" not the answer?

Topical steroid does not treat invasive bacterial infection.

Why is "Wait for a full rash history at home" not the answer?

Home observation is unsafe.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neurology: meningococcal sepsis in Pediatrics. Immediate resuscitation and antibiotics must not be delayed for confirmatory testing.

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 Neurology: meningococcal sepsis?

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.