National programmes: National Deworming Day: 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 · National programmes: National Deworming Day

Sample item

On National Deworming Day, a 20-month-old child and an 8-year-old child both attend an anganwadi. What albendazole doses should they receive?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. 200 mg for the 20-month-old and 400 mg for the 8-year-old

National Deworming Day gives a single dose of albendazole to all children aged 1 to 19 years. Children aged 12 to 23 months receive half a tablet (200 mg) crushed in water, and children from 2 to 19 years receive one tablet (400 mg). It is done in rounds through schools and anganwadis.

Option by option

  • A. 100 mg for the 20-month-old and 400 mg for the 8-year-old

    A 100 mg dose is not used in the programme.

  • B. 400 mg for both

    A 400 mg dose is not given below 2 years of age.

  • C. 200 mg for both

    A 200 mg dose is underdosing for a child of 8 years.

  • D. 200 mg for the 20-month-old and 400 mg for the 8-year-old (correct)

    Correct. Half a tablet below 2 years and a full tablet from 2 years.

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 D, 200 mg for the 20-month-old and 400 mg for the 8-year-old. National Deworming Day gives a single dose of albendazole to all children aged 1 to 19 years.

Why is "100 mg for the 20-month-old and 400 mg for the 8-year-old" not the answer?

A 100 mg dose is not used in the programme.

Why is "400 mg for both" not the answer?

A 400 mg dose is not given below 2 years of age.

Why is "200 mg for both" not the answer?

A 200 mg dose is underdosing for a child of 8 years.

What concept does this question test?

It tests National programmes: National Deworming Day in PSM. Children aged 12 to 23 months receive half a tablet (200 mg) crushed in water, and children from 2 to 19 years receive one tablet (400 mg). It is done in rounds through schools and anganwadis.

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: National Deworming Day?

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.