Maternal and child health: Rh immunoglobulin: 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 · Maternal and child health: Rh immunoglobulin

Sample item

An Rh-negative woman with a negative antibody screen delivers an Rh-positive baby. What should be given to prevent haemolytic disease in her next pregnancy?

AExchange transfusion to the babyBAnti-D immunoglobulin to the babyCAnti-D immunoglobulin to the mother within 72 hoursDRh-positive blood to the mother

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Anti-D immunoglobulin to the mother within 72 hours

Anti-D immunoglobulin given to an unsensitised Rh-negative mother within 72 hours of delivery of an Rh-positive child destroys fetal red cells before sensitisation. It is given to the mother, not the baby. It does not help if she is already sensitised.

Option by option

A. Exchange transfusion to the baby
Exchange transfusion is for a baby with severe haemolysis.
B. Anti-D immunoglobulin to the baby
The baby does not receive anti-D.
C. Anti-D immunoglobulin to the mother within 72 hours (correct)
Correct. Prompt maternal anti-D prevents sensitisation.
D. Rh-positive blood to the mother
Rh-positive blood would cause sensitisation.

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 C, Anti-D immunoglobulin to the mother within 72 hours. Anti-D immunoglobulin given to an unsensitised Rh-negative mother within 72 hours of delivery of an Rh-positive child destroys fetal red cells before sensitisation.

Why is "Exchange transfusion to the baby" not the answer?

Exchange transfusion is for a baby with severe haemolysis.

Why is "Anti-D immunoglobulin to the baby" not the answer?

The baby does not receive anti-D.

Why is "Rh-positive blood to the mother" not the answer?

Rh-positive blood would cause sensitisation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Maternal and child health: Rh immunoglobulin in PSM. It is given to the mother, not the baby. It does not help if she is already sensitised.

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 Maternal and child health: Rh immunoglobulin?

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.