Diarrhoea: dysentery: 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 · Diarrhoea: dysentery

Sample item

A 3-year-old has bloody diarrhoea, fever and tenesmus for 2 days. Which is the most appropriate approach?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Give an antibiotic effective against Shigella along with ORS and zinc

Bloody diarrhoea is presumed to be shigellosis and treated with an effective antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin, azithromycin or ceftriaxone, according to local resistance. ORS and zinc are also given. Antimotility drugs are contraindicated because they prolong infection and risk toxic megacolon.

Option by option

  • A. Withhold feeds for 24 hours

    Feeds should be continued.

  • B. Antimotility agent such as loperamide

    Loperamide is contraindicated in dysentery.

  • C. Give an antibiotic effective against Shigella along with ORS and zinc (correct)

    Correct. Antibiotics for Shigella plus ORS and zinc.

  • D. No treatment since it is self-limiting

    Dysentery is treated and not left alone.

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, Give an antibiotic effective against Shigella along with ORS and zinc. Bloody diarrhoea is presumed to be shigellosis and treated with an effective antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin, azithromycin or ceftriaxone, according to local resistance.

Why is "Withhold feeds for 24 hours" not the answer?

Feeds should be continued.

Why is "Antimotility agent such as loperamide" not the answer?

Loperamide is contraindicated in dysentery.

Why is "No treatment since it is self-limiting" not the answer?

Dysentery is treated and not left alone.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Diarrhoea: dysentery in Pediatrics. ORS and zinc are also given. Antimotility drugs are contraindicated because they prolong infection and risk toxic megacolon.

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 Diarrhoea: dysentery?

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.