Hospital infection control: ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention: practice question

A Microbiology 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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Microbiology · Hospital infection control: ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention

Sample item

A hospital infection control committee reviews measures to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia in its ICU. Which measure is supported by evidence?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Keeping the head of the bed raised at 30 to 45 degrees

Semi-recumbent positioning reduces aspiration of oropharyngeal and gastric secretions, a main route of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Other bundle elements are daily sedation interruption with assessment for extubation, subglottic suction where available, hand hygiene and oral care. Frequent routine circuit changes increase risk and prophylactic antibiotics promote resistance.

Option by option

  • A. Giving prophylactic intravenous ceftriaxone to all ventilated patients

    Blanket prophylaxis promotes multidrug-resistant colonisation and is not recommended.

  • B. Keeping the head of the bed raised at 30 to 45 degrees (correct)

    Correct. Elevation reduces aspiration of secretions into the lower airway.

  • C. Continuous deep sedation without interruption

    Uninterrupted deep sedation prolongs ventilation, the main risk factor for pneumonia.

  • D. Changing the ventilator circuit every 24 hours

    Routine frequent circuit changes do not lower pneumonia rates and may raise contamination risk.

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 Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is B, Keeping the head of the bed raised at 30 to 45 degrees. Semi-recumbent positioning reduces aspiration of oropharyngeal and gastric secretions, a main route of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Why is "Giving prophylactic intravenous ceftriaxone to all ventilated patients" not the answer?

Blanket prophylaxis promotes multidrug-resistant colonisation and is not recommended.

Why is "Continuous deep sedation without interruption" not the answer?

Uninterrupted deep sedation prolongs ventilation, the main risk factor for pneumonia.

Why is "Changing the ventilator circuit every 24 hours" not the answer?

Routine frequent circuit changes do not lower pneumonia rates and may raise contamination risk.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hospital infection control: ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention in Microbiology. Other bundle elements are daily sedation interruption with assessment for extubation, subglottic suction where available, hand hygiene and oral care. Frequent routine circuit changes increase risk and prophylactic antibiotics promote resistance.

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 Hospital infection control: ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention?

Make a one-line identity card for each organism: shape and stain, defining test, toxin, disease and drug. Then use the flashcards and the other Microbiology 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.