Nutrition: moderate acute malnutrition: 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 · Nutrition: moderate acute malnutrition

Sample item

A 3-year-old child has MUAC of 12 cm, no oedema and good appetite. The child is classified as having:

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Moderate acute malnutrition

MUAC between 11.5 and 12.5 cm without oedema indicates moderate acute malnutrition, which is managed with supplementary nutrition and counselling at community level.

Option by option

  • A. Normal nutrition

    A value of 12 cm is below the normal cut-off of 12.5 cm.

  • B. Severe acute malnutrition

    SAM needs MUAC below 11.5 cm or oedema.

  • C. Moderate acute malnutrition (correct)

    Correct. MUAC 11.5 to 12.5 cm is MAM.

  • D. Chronic malnutrition only

    MUAC reflects acute wasting rather than stunting.

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 PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is C, Moderate acute malnutrition. MUAC between 11.

Why is "Normal nutrition" not the answer?

A value of 12 cm is below the normal cut-off of 12.5 cm.

Why is "Severe acute malnutrition" not the answer?

SAM needs MUAC below 11.5 cm or oedema.

Why is "Chronic malnutrition only" not the answer?

MUAC reflects acute wasting rather than stunting.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nutrition: moderate acute malnutrition in PSM. 5 and 12.5 cm without oedema indicates moderate acute malnutrition, which is managed with supplementary nutrition and counselling at community level.

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 Nutrition: moderate acute malnutrition?

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.