Communicable diseases: syndromic management of urethral discharge: 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: syndromic management of urethral discharge

Sample item

A man presents with urethral discharge and dysuria. Gram stain facilities are not available at the primary health centre. What does syndromic management aim to treat?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Both gonorrhoea and chlamydial infection together

Urethral discharge is usually caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis, which often coexist, so syndromic management covers both without waiting for tests. Treating only one leaves the other infection and its complications.

Option by option

  • A. Both gonorrhoea and chlamydial infection together (correct)

    Correct. Treatment covers both common causes together.

  • B. Chlamydia only

    Treating chlamydia alone would leave gonorrhoea untreated.

  • C. Gonorrhoea only

    Treating gonorrhoea alone would leave coexisting chlamydia untreated.

  • D. Trichomoniasis only

    Trichomoniasis is not the usual cause of male urethral discharge in this kit.

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 A, Both gonorrhoea and chlamydial infection together. Urethral discharge is usually caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis, which often coexist, so syndromic management covers both without waiting for tests.

Why is "Chlamydia only" not the answer?

Treating chlamydia alone would leave gonorrhoea untreated.

Why is "Gonorrhoea only" not the answer?

Treating gonorrhoea alone would leave coexisting chlamydia untreated.

Why is "Trichomoniasis only" not the answer?

Trichomoniasis is not the usual cause of male urethral discharge in this kit.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Communicable diseases: syndromic management of urethral discharge in PSM. Treating only one leaves the other infection and its complications.

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: syndromic management of urethral discharge?

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.