Communicable diseases: scabies outbreak control: 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: scabies outbreak control

Sample item

In a hostel outbreak of scabies with intense nocturnal itching and burrows between the fingers, which step is essential besides treating the index case?

ATreat only symptomatic studentsBGive oral antibiotics to the whole hostelCClose the hostel for one yearDTreat all close contacts simultaneously

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Treat all close contacts simultaneously

Scabies spreads by prolonged skin contact, and contacts may carry mites before itching begins, so all close contacts are treated together with topical permethrin and clothing is washed. Treating only the symptomatic leads to reinfection.

Option by option

A. Treat only symptomatic students
Treating only symptomatic cases leaves incubating mites in contacts.
B. Give oral antibiotics to the whole hostel
Antibiotics do not kill mites.
C. Close the hostel for one year
Closing the hostel for a year is unnecessary.
D. Treat all close contacts simultaneously (correct)
Correct. Simultaneous treatment of contacts breaks the cycle.

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.

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is D, Treat all close contacts simultaneously. Scabies spreads by prolonged skin contact, and contacts may carry mites before itching begins, so all close contacts are treated together with topical permethrin and clothing is washed.

Why is "Treat only symptomatic students" not the answer?

Treating only symptomatic cases leaves incubating mites in contacts.

Why is "Give oral antibiotics to the whole hostel" not the answer?

Antibiotics do not kill mites.

Why is "Close the hostel for one year" not the answer?

Closing the hostel for a year is unnecessary.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Communicable diseases: scabies outbreak control in PSM. Treating only the symptomatic leads to reinfection.

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 Communicable diseases: scabies outbreak control?

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.