Gastroenterology and hepatology: giardiasis: practice question

A General Medicine 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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General Medicine · Gastroenterology and hepatology: giardiasis

Sample item

A trekker returns with 2 weeks of foul-smelling, greasy pale stools, bloating and flatulence, without fever or blood. Stool microscopy shows pear-shaped flagellated trophozoites with a sucking disc. Which drug is appropriate?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Tinidazole

Giardia lamblia is acquired by cysts in contaminated water and causes malabsorptive diarrhoea. Nitroimidazoles such as tinidazole (a single dose) or metronidazole are effective. It is more severe in people with IgA deficiency.

Option by option

  • A. Tinidazole (correct)

    Correct. Tinidazole is a nitroimidazole active against Giardia.

  • B. Praziquantel

    Praziquantel treats trematodes and cestodes, not protozoa.

  • C. Albendazole

    Albendazole acts on helminths and not protozoa.

  • D. Ciprofloxacin

    Ciprofloxacin does not treat protozoal infection.

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 General Medicine questions

Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is A, Tinidazole. Giardia lamblia is acquired by cysts in contaminated water and causes malabsorptive diarrhoea.

Why is "Praziquantel" not the answer?

Praziquantel treats trematodes and cestodes, not protozoa.

Why is "Albendazole" not the answer?

Albendazole acts on helminths and not protozoa.

Why is "Ciprofloxacin" not the answer?

Ciprofloxacin does not treat protozoal infection.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Gastroenterology and hepatology: giardiasis in General Medicine. Nitroimidazoles such as tinidazole (a single dose) or metronidazole are effective. It is more severe in people with IgA deficiency.

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 Gastroenterology and hepatology: giardiasis?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine 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.