Maternal and child health: albendazole in pregnancy: 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.

Try it

PSM · Maternal and child health: albendazole in pregnancy

Sample item

A pregnant woman in the second trimester attends an antenatal clinic in an area where hookworm is common. According to the national deworming guidance, how is albendazole given?

AContraindicated throughout pregnancyBSingle 400 mg dose only in the third trimesterC400 mg daily for 3 days in the first trimesterDSingle 400 mg dose after the first trimester

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Single 400 mg dose after the first trimester

National guidance allows a single 400 mg albendazole dose to pregnant women after the first trimester, because soil-transmitted worms worsen anaemia. The first trimester is avoided because of theoretical risk to organogenesis.

Option by option

A. Contraindicated throughout pregnancy
It is not contraindicated in the second and third trimesters.
B. Single 400 mg dose only in the third trimester
It is not restricted to the third trimester, and delaying treatment prolongs anaemia.
C. 400 mg daily for 3 days in the first trimester
The first trimester is avoided, and a multiday course is not the national schedule.
D. Single 400 mg dose after the first trimester (correct)
Correct. A single 400 mg dose is given after the first trimester.

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.

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is D, Single 400 mg dose after the first trimester. National guidance allows a single 400 mg albendazole dose to pregnant women after the first trimester, because soil-transmitted worms worsen anaemia.

Why is "Contraindicated throughout pregnancy" not the answer?

It is not contraindicated in the second and third trimesters.

Why is "Single 400 mg dose only in the third trimester" not the answer?

It is not restricted to the third trimester, and delaying treatment prolongs anaemia.

Why is "400 mg daily for 3 days in the first trimester" not the answer?

The first trimester is avoided, and a multiday course is not the national schedule.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Maternal and child health: albendazole in pregnancy in PSM. The first trimester is avoided because of theoretical risk to organogenesis.

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 Maternal and child health: albendazole in pregnancy?

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.