Antenatal care: tetanus immunisation: practice question

A OBG 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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OBG · Antenatal care: tetanus immunisation

Sample item

A primigravida with no previous immunisation attends at 14 weeks. According to the Indian programme, which regimen is correct?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Td dose 1 now and Td dose 2 after 4 weeks

India uses Td (tetanus and adult diphtheria) in pregnancy. A woman not previously immunised receives two doses 4 weeks apart, while a woman vaccinated in the last 3 years receives a single booster. Td is safe at any gestation.

Option by option

  • A. Live attenuated tetanus vaccine in the second trimester

    There is no live tetanus vaccine; it is a toxoid.

  • B. Td dose 1 now and Td dose 2 after 4 weeks (correct)

    Correct. Two doses 4 weeks apart protect mother and neonate.

  • C. Tetanus toxoid is contraindicated in the first trimester

    Tetanus toxoid is an inactivated toxoid and is safe in the first trimester.

  • D. A single Td dose at 36 weeks only

    A single dose at term is inadequate for an unvaccinated woman.

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 OBG questions

Questions about this OBG question

What is the answer to this OBG question?

The best answer is B, Td dose 1 now and Td dose 2 after 4 weeks. India uses Td (tetanus and adult diphtheria) in pregnancy.

Why is "Live attenuated tetanus vaccine in the second trimester" not the answer?

There is no live tetanus vaccine; it is a toxoid.

Why is "Tetanus toxoid is contraindicated in the first trimester" not the answer?

Tetanus toxoid is an inactivated toxoid and is safe in the first trimester.

Why is "A single Td dose at 36 weeks only" not the answer?

A single dose at term is inadequate for an unvaccinated woman.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antenatal care: tetanus immunisation in OBG. A woman not previously immunised receives two doses 4 weeks apart, while a woman vaccinated in the last 3 years receives a single booster. Td is safe at any gestation.

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 Antenatal care: tetanus immunisation?

Learn management algorithms as steps: PPH, eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy. Then use the flashcards and the other OBG 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.