Paediatric infections: infectious mononucleosis advice: 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 · Paediatric infections: infectious mononucleosis advice

Sample item

A 15-year-old with Epstein-Barr virus infectious mononucleosis has palpable splenomegaly and wants to resume football. What advice is appropriate?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Avoid contact sports until splenomegaly has resolved, because of the risk of rupture

Splenomegaly in mononucleosis makes the capsule fragile, and splenic rupture is a rare but serious complication, particularly with trauma. Contact and strenuous activity is avoided until clinical recovery and splenic regression. Management otherwise is supportive, and aciclovir has no proven benefit.

Option by option

  • A. Start prophylactic aciclovir

    Aciclovir does not alter the course of mononucleosis.

  • B. Avoid contact sports until splenomegaly has resolved, because of the risk of rupture (correct)

    Correct. Rupture risk persists while the spleen is enlarged, so contact sports are avoided.

  • C. Avoid sports for life

    Restriction is temporary, not lifelong.

  • D. Resume sports now as the infection is viral

    Viral aetiology does not remove the risk of splenic injury.

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 B, Avoid contact sports until splenomegaly has resolved, because of the risk of rupture. Splenomegaly in mononucleosis makes the capsule fragile, and splenic rupture is a rare but serious complication, particularly with trauma.

Why is "Start prophylactic aciclovir" not the answer?

Aciclovir does not alter the course of mononucleosis.

Why is "Avoid sports for life" not the answer?

Restriction is temporary, not lifelong.

Why is "Resume sports now as the infection is viral" not the answer?

Viral aetiology does not remove the risk of splenic injury.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric infections: infectious mononucleosis advice in Pediatrics. Contact and strenuous activity is avoided until clinical recovery and splenic regression. Management otherwise is supportive, and aciclovir has no proven benefit.

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 Paediatric infections: infectious mononucleosis advice?

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.