Immunisation: tetanus-prone wound: practice question

A Pediatrics 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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Pediatrics · Immunisation: tetanus-prone wound

Sample item

A 6-year-old who received only one DPT dose in infancy presents with a deep, soil-contaminated wound from a fall in a field. Which is the most appropriate prophylaxis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Wound cleaning, tetanus immunoglobulin and a tetanus-containing vaccine

A dirty wound in a child with fewer than three tetanus doses needs passive protection with tetanus immunoglobulin as well as active immunisation to complete the schedule. Surgical debridement and cleaning are essential. Antibiotics are an adjunct and do not replace immunoglobulin or vaccine.

Option by option

  • A. Wound cleaning, tetanus immunoglobulin and a tetanus-containing vaccine (correct)

    Correct. An incompletely immunised child with a tetanus-prone wound needs both TIG and vaccine.

  • B. Wound cleaning and antibiotics alone

    Antibiotics do not neutralise tetanus toxin or provide immunity.

  • C. Wound cleaning and a tetanus toxoid dose alone

    Toxoid alone gives active immunity too slowly to protect against a contaminated wound.

  • D. Tetanus immunoglobulin alone with no vaccine

    Immunoglobulin alone gives only short-lived protection and leaves the schedule incomplete.

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 Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is A, Wound cleaning, tetanus immunoglobulin and a tetanus-containing vaccine. A dirty wound in a child with fewer than three tetanus doses needs passive protection with tetanus immunoglobulin as well as active immunisation to complete the schedule.

Why is "Wound cleaning and antibiotics alone" not the answer?

Antibiotics do not neutralise tetanus toxin or provide immunity.

Why is "Wound cleaning and a tetanus toxoid dose alone" not the answer?

Toxoid alone gives active immunity too slowly to protect against a contaminated wound.

Why is "Tetanus immunoglobulin alone with no vaccine" not the answer?

Immunoglobulin alone gives only short-lived protection and leaves the schedule incomplete.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Immunisation: tetanus-prone wound in Pediatrics. Surgical debridement and cleaning are essential. Antibiotics are an adjunct and do not replace immunoglobulin or vaccine.

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 Immunisation: tetanus-prone wound?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics 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.