Infections: infectious mononucleosis: 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: infectious mononucleosis

Sample item

A teenager with fever, exudative tonsillitis, posterior cervical lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly develops a rash after amoxicillin. Which test is the first-line bedside confirmation?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Heterophile antibody (Monospot) test

EBV mononucleosis has atypical lymphocytes and a positive Monospot test, though it is less sensitive under 4 years. Aminopenicillins cause a characteristic rash in these patients. Contact sports should be avoided for several weeks because of splenic rupture risk.

Option by option

  • A. Mantoux test

    Mantoux is for TB.

  • B. ASO titre

    ASO titre is for streptococcal infection.

  • C. Heterophile antibody (Monospot) test (correct)

    Correct. Heterophile antibody test supports EBV.

  • D. Widal test

    Widal is for typhoid.

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, Heterophile antibody (Monospot) test. EBV mononucleosis has atypical lymphocytes and a positive Monospot test, though it is less sensitive under 4 years.

Why is "Mantoux test" not the answer?

Mantoux is for TB.

Why is "ASO titre" not the answer?

ASO titre is for streptococcal infection.

Why is "Widal test" not the answer?

Widal is for typhoid.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infections: infectious mononucleosis in Pediatrics. Aminopenicillins cause a characteristic rash in these patients. Contact sports should be avoided for several weeks because of splenic rupture risk.

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: infectious mononucleosis?

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.