Nutrition: Gomez classification: 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: Gomez classification

Sample item

A 2-year-old girl weighs 8 kg. The expected median weight for her age on the reference standard is 12 kg. Using the Gomez classification, how is her nutritional status graded?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Grade II malnutrition

The Gomez classification uses weight for age as a percentage of the reference median: 90% or more is normal, 75 to 89% is grade I, 60 to 74% is grade II and below 60% is grade III. Here 8 / 12 = 66.7%, which falls in grade II. It does not distinguish acute from chronic malnutrition.

Option by option

  • A. Normal nutritional status

    A normal weight would be at least 90% of the median, over 10.8 kg.

  • B. Grade II malnutrition (correct)

    66.7% of the median is within the 60 to 74% range of grade II.

  • C. Grade I malnutrition

    Grade I applies to 75 to 89% of the median, and her value is lower.

  • D. Grade III malnutrition

    Grade III needs less than 60% of the median, which would be below 7.2 kg here.

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 PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is B, Grade II malnutrition. The Gomez classification uses weight for age as a percentage of the reference median: 90% or more is normal, 75 to 89% is grade I, 60 to 74% is grade II and below 60% is grade III.

Why is "Normal nutritional status" not the answer?

A normal weight would be at least 90% of the median, over 10.8 kg.

Why is "Grade I malnutrition" not the answer?

Grade I applies to 75 to 89% of the median, and her value is lower.

Why is "Grade III malnutrition" not the answer?

Grade III needs less than 60% of the median, which would be below 7.2 kg here.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nutrition: Gomez classification in PSM. Here 8 / 12 = 66.7%, which falls in grade II. It does not distinguish acute from chronic malnutrition.

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 Nutrition: Gomez classification?

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.