Communicable diseases: post-exposure prophylaxis in a vaccinated person: 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.

Try it

PSM · Communicable diseases: post-exposure prophylaxis in a vaccinated person

Sample item

A man who completed pre-exposure rabies vaccination last year is bitten on the leg by a stray dog, with bleeding. Besides wound washing, what is recommended?

AImmunoglobulin aloneBTwo booster doses of vaccine, no immunoglobulinCFull five-dose schedule with immunoglobulinDObserve the dog for ten days

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Two booster doses of vaccine, no immunoglobulin

A previously fully immunised person needs wound care and a short booster course of two doses on days 0 and 3. Rabies immunoglobulin is not needed because immune memory exists. A stray dog cannot be reliably observed.

Option by option

A. Immunoglobulin alone
RIG alone gives no active immunity.
B. Two booster doses of vaccine, no immunoglobulin (correct)
Correct. Booster doses without RIG.
C. Full five-dose schedule with immunoglobulin
The full schedule with RIG is for non-immunised persons.
D. Observe the dog for ten days
A stray dog cannot be observed.

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 B, Two booster doses of vaccine, no immunoglobulin. A previously fully immunised person needs wound care and a short booster course of two doses on days 0 and 3.

Why is "Immunoglobulin alone" not the answer?

RIG alone gives no active immunity.

Why is "Full five-dose schedule with immunoglobulin" not the answer?

The full schedule with RIG is for non-immunised persons.

Why is "Observe the dog for ten days" not the answer?

A stray dog cannot be observed.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Communicable diseases: post-exposure prophylaxis in a vaccinated person in PSM. Rabies immunoglobulin is not needed because immune memory exists. A stray dog cannot be reliably observed.

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: post-exposure prophylaxis in a vaccinated person?

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.