Communicable diseases: chemoprophylaxis for meningococcal contacts: practice question

A PSM 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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PSM · Communicable diseases: chemoprophylaxis for meningococcal contacts

Sample item

A student in a hostel is diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis. Which drug is appropriate chemoprophylaxis for the close contacts?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Rifampicin

Close contacts of a case of meningococcal meningitis receive chemoprophylaxis, and rifampicin for two days is a standard choice that eliminates nasopharyngeal carriage. Single-dose ciprofloxacin or ceftriaxone are alternatives. The aim is to clear carriage, not to treat disease.

Option by option

  • A. Doxycycline

    Doxycycline is not recommended for meningococcal prophylaxis.

  • B. Gentamicin

    Gentamicin is an injectable and does not eradicate nasopharyngeal carriage.

  • C. Amoxicillin

    Amoxicillin does not reliably eradicate meningococcal carriage.

  • D. Rifampicin (correct)

    Correct. Rifampicin clears nasopharyngeal carriage of meningococci.

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.

More PSM questions

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is D, Rifampicin. Close contacts of a case of meningococcal meningitis receive chemoprophylaxis, and rifampicin for two days is a standard choice that eliminates nasopharyngeal carriage.

Why is "Doxycycline" not the answer?

Doxycycline is not recommended for meningococcal prophylaxis.

Why is "Gentamicin" not the answer?

Gentamicin is an injectable and does not eradicate nasopharyngeal carriage.

Why is "Amoxicillin" not the answer?

Amoxicillin does not reliably eradicate meningococcal carriage.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Communicable diseases: chemoprophylaxis for meningococcal contacts in PSM. Single-dose ciprofloxacin or ceftriaxone are alternatives. The aim is to clear carriage, not to treat disease.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Communicable diseases: chemoprophylaxis for meningococcal contacts?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM 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.