Infections: diphtheria: 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 · Infections: diphtheria

Sample item

A 5-year-old unimmunised child has sore throat, low-grade fever, bull neck and a grey adherent membrane on the tonsils that bleeds on removal. What is the most important initial treatment?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Diphtheria antitoxin without waiting for culture

Diphtheria is a toxin-mediated disease and antitoxin neutralises only unbound toxin, so it must be given early on clinical suspicion. Penicillin or erythromycin is given to eradicate the organism. Complications include myocarditis and neuropathy.

Option by option

  • A. Tonsillectomy

    Surgery has no role and risks bleeding.

  • B. Steroids alone

    Steroids are not the main therapy.

  • C. Diphtheria antitoxin without waiting for culture (correct)

    Correct. Early antitoxin is the key treatment.

  • D. Oral penicillin alone

    Antibiotics do not neutralise toxin.

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, Diphtheria antitoxin without waiting for culture. Diphtheria is a toxin-mediated disease and antitoxin neutralises only unbound toxin, so it must be given early on clinical suspicion.

Why is "Tonsillectomy" not the answer?

Surgery has no role and risks bleeding.

Why is "Steroids alone" not the answer?

Steroids are not the main therapy.

Why is "Oral penicillin alone" not the answer?

Antibiotics do not neutralise toxin.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infections: diphtheria in Pediatrics. Penicillin or erythromycin is given to eradicate the organism. Complications include myocarditis and neuropathy.

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 Infections: diphtheria?

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.