Nutrition: assessment of growth: 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.

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PSM · Nutrition: assessment of growth

Sample item

A 3-year-old child has a weight-for-height z-score of -0.5 and a height-for-age z-score of -2.8. How should her nutritional status be described?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Stunted, indicating chronic undernutrition

Height-for-age reflects long-term nutrition, and a z-score below -2 defines stunting, which indicates chronic or repeated undernutrition. Weight-for-height reflects recent nutrition, and a normal value excludes wasting. She is therefore stunted but not wasted, and stunting is the most common form of undernutrition in Indian children.

Option by option

  • A. Severe acute malnutrition

    Severe acute malnutrition needs weight-for-height below -3 or a low arm circumference, not present here.

  • B. Stunted, indicating chronic undernutrition (correct)

    Correct. A height-for-age z-score below -2 with normal weight-for-height means stunting.

  • C. Normal nutritional status

    A height-for-age z-score of -2.8 is well below normal, so her status is not normal.

  • D. Wasted, indicating recent acute weight loss

    Wasting requires a weight-for-height z-score below -2, which she does not have.

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 PSM questions

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is B, Stunted, indicating chronic undernutrition. Height-for-age reflects long-term nutrition, and a z-score below -2 defines stunting, which indicates chronic or repeated undernutrition.

Why is "Severe acute malnutrition" not the answer?

Severe acute malnutrition needs weight-for-height below -3 or a low arm circumference, not present here.

Why is "Normal nutritional status" not the answer?

A height-for-age z-score of -2.8 is well below normal, so her status is not normal.

Why is "Wasted, indicating recent acute weight loss" not the answer?

Wasting requires a weight-for-height z-score below -2, which she does not have.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nutrition: assessment of growth in PSM. Weight-for-height reflects recent nutrition, and a normal value excludes wasting. She is therefore stunted but not wasted, and stunting is the most common form of undernutrition in Indian children.

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 Nutrition: assessment of growth?

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.