Malnutrition: SAM admission: 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 · Malnutrition: SAM admission

Sample item

A 10-month-old with SAM has bilateral pitting oedema of the feet and legs, a good appetite, and no fever or danger signs. Where is the child best managed under current guidelines?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Outpatient (community) management with RUTF if the appetite test is passed

Children with SAM who have a good appetite, no medical complications and no severe (grade 3) oedema can be managed at home or in the community with ready-to-use therapeutic food and routine antibiotics. Those who fail the appetite test, have grade 3 oedema or complications are admitted to a facility-based programme. Regular follow-up is essential.

Option by option

  • A. Intensive care

    Intensive care is not needed without shock or complications.

  • B. Discharge without treatment

    Untreated SAM has high mortality.

  • C. Outpatient (community) management with RUTF if the appetite test is passed (correct)

    Correct. Uncomplicated SAM with appetite is managed with RUTF in the community.

  • D. Home with only a weekly vitamin supplement

    Vitamin supplements alone do not treat SAM.

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 C, Outpatient (community) management with RUTF if the appetite test is passed. Children with SAM who have a good appetite, no medical complications and no severe (grade 3) oedema can be managed at home or in the community with ready-to-use therapeutic food and routine antibiotics.

Why is "Intensive care" not the answer?

Intensive care is not needed without shock or complications.

Why is "Discharge without treatment" not the answer?

Untreated SAM has high mortality.

Why is "Home with only a weekly vitamin supplement" not the answer?

Vitamin supplements alone do not treat SAM.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Malnutrition: SAM admission in Pediatrics. Those who fail the appetite test, have grade 3 oedema or complications are admitted to a facility-based programme. Regular follow-up is essential.

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 Malnutrition: SAM admission?

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.