Communicable diseases: tetanus prophylaxis in wound management: 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: tetanus prophylaxis in wound management

Sample item

A 35-year-old farmer has a deep soil-contaminated puncture wound. He completed his Td series and had a Td booster 3 years ago. After cleaning the wound, what tetanus prophylaxis is appropriate?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. No further Td or immunoglobulin is needed

A fully immunised person whose last dose was within 5 years is protected even against a dirty wound, so only wound care is needed. A booster is given if the last dose was more than 5 years ago for dirty wounds. Immunoglobulin is needed for dirty wounds in the unimmunised or those with uncertain history.

Option by option

  • A. Td booster alone

    A booster is indicated for dirty wounds only if more than 5 years have passed.

  • B. No further Td or immunoglobulin is needed (correct)

    Correct. Last dose within 5 years means no further prophylaxis.

  • C. Td booster together with tetanus immunoglobulin

    Immunoglobulin is for unimmunised or uncertain history, not for a recently boosted person.

  • D. A full primary course of Td

    A primary course is for those never immunised.

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 B, No further Td or immunoglobulin is needed. A fully immunised person whose last dose was within 5 years is protected even against a dirty wound, so only wound care is needed.

Why is "Td booster alone" not the answer?

A booster is indicated for dirty wounds only if more than 5 years have passed.

Why is "Td booster together with tetanus immunoglobulin" not the answer?

Immunoglobulin is for unimmunised or uncertain history, not for a recently boosted person.

Why is "A full primary course of Td" not the answer?

A primary course is for those never immunised.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Communicable diseases: tetanus prophylaxis in wound management in PSM. A booster is given if the last dose was more than 5 years ago for dirty wounds. Immunoglobulin is needed for dirty wounds in the unimmunised or those with uncertain history.

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: tetanus prophylaxis in wound management?

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.