National programmes: home-based newborn care: practice question

A PSM 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.

Try it

PSM · National programmes: home-based newborn care

Sample item

An ASHA has to visit the home of a newborn after an institutional delivery under the home-based newborn care programme. What is the schedule of home visits?

AWeekly visits for 12 weeksBSix visits, on days 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 42CThree visits, on days 1, 3 and 7DFour visits, on days 3, 7, 14 and 28

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Six visits, on days 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 42

For institutional births the ASHA makes six home visits on days 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 42. For home births there is an additional visit on day 1, making seven. The visits check feeding, weight, danger signs and the mother's health.

Option by option

A. Weekly visits for 12 weeks
Weekly visits for 12 weeks do not match the programme schedule.
B. Six visits, on days 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 42 (correct)
Correct. Six visits are scheduled between day 3 and day 42 after institutional delivery.
C. Three visits, on days 1, 3 and 7
Three visits are fewer than the programme prescribes.
D. Four visits, on days 3, 7, 14 and 28
Four visits omit the day 21 and day 42 visits.

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 PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is B, Six visits, on days 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 42. For institutional births the ASHA makes six home visits on days 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 42.

Why is "Weekly visits for 12 weeks" not the answer?

Weekly visits for 12 weeks do not match the programme schedule.

Why is "Three visits, on days 1, 3 and 7" not the answer?

Three visits are fewer than the programme prescribes.

Why is "Four visits, on days 3, 7, 14 and 28" not the answer?

Four visits omit the day 21 and day 42 visits.

What concept does this question test?

It tests National programmes: home-based newborn care in PSM. For home births there is an additional visit on day 1, making seven. The visits check feeding, weight, danger signs and the mother's health.

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 National programmes: home-based newborn care?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM 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.