Contraception: Pearl index: 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 · Contraception: Pearl index

Sample item

The Pearl index is defined as the number of contraceptive failures per:

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. 100 woman-years of exposure

The Pearl index counts unintended pregnancies per 100 woman-years (1200 menstrual cycles) of use. It is a measure of method effectiveness. Lower values indicate better efficacy.

Option by option

  • A. 10 women

    10 women is not the denominator.

  • B. 100 cycles

    100 cycles is not the denominator.

  • C. 1000 women

    Per 1000 women is not used.

  • D. 100 woman-years of exposure (correct)

    Correct. Per 100 woman-years.

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 OBG question

What is the answer to this OBG question?

The best answer is D, 100 woman-years of exposure. The Pearl index counts unintended pregnancies per 100 woman-years (1200 menstrual cycles) of use.

Why is "10 women" not the answer?

10 women is not the denominator.

Why is "100 cycles" not the answer?

100 cycles is not the denominator.

Why is "1000 women" not the answer?

Per 1000 women is not used.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Contraception: Pearl index in OBG. It is a measure of method effectiveness. Lower values indicate better efficacy.

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 Contraception: Pearl index?

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.