Immunisation: tetanus wound prophylaxis: 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 · Immunisation: tetanus wound prophylaxis

Sample item

A completely unimmunised 4-year-old has a deep soil-contaminated wound after a fall in a field. What is the right prophylaxis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Tetanus immunoglobulin plus tetanus toxoid at different sites

A dirty wound in a child without a primary series needs passive and active protection together. Immunoglobulin supplies immediate antibody, and toxoid starts the primary series; they are injected at different sites. Wound cleaning is essential.

Option by option

  • A. Antibiotics alone

    Antibiotics do not neutralise tetanus toxin.

  • B. Tetanus toxoid alone

    Toxoid alone gives no immediate protection.

  • C. Tetanus immunoglobulin plus tetanus toxoid at different sites (correct)

    Correct. Both passive and active immunisation are needed in an unimmunised child with a dirty wound.

  • D. Tetanus immunoglobulin alone

    Immunoglobulin alone would not start the series.

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, Tetanus immunoglobulin plus tetanus toxoid at different sites. A dirty wound in a child without a primary series needs passive and active protection together.

Why is "Antibiotics alone" not the answer?

Antibiotics do not neutralise tetanus toxin.

Why is "Tetanus toxoid alone" not the answer?

Toxoid alone gives no immediate protection.

Why is "Tetanus immunoglobulin alone" not the answer?

Immunoglobulin alone would not start the series.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Immunisation: tetanus wound prophylaxis in Pediatrics. Immunoglobulin supplies immediate antibody, and toxoid starts the primary series; they are injected at different sites. Wound cleaning is essential.

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 Immunisation: tetanus wound prophylaxis?

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.