Parasitology: scabies management: practice question

A Microbiology 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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Microbiology · Parasitology: scabies management

Sample item

A 7-year-old has intense nocturnal itching with papules and burrows in the finger webs, and two family members have similar symptoms. Which management is correct?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Permethrin 5% cream over the whole body from the neck down, washed off after 8 to 14 hours, repeated after 7 days, with simultaneous treatment of household contacts

Scabies is caused by Sarcoptes scabiei, and itching is a delayed hypersensitivity to mites, eggs and faeces. Treatment is topical permethrin applied to the whole body below the neck, repeated after a week, and all close contacts and household members are treated simultaneously. Bedding and clothes are washed in hot water.

Option by option

  • A. Permethrin applied only to the itchy lesions for 3 days

    Mites are present outside the visible lesions, so spot treatment will fail.

  • B. A single dose of oral albendazole

    Albendazole is an anthelmintic and is not used for scabies.

  • C. Treat only the child, since adults cannot be infested

    Adults in the household are infested and will reinfest the child if not treated.

  • D. Permethrin 5% cream over the whole body from the neck down, washed off after 8 to 14 hours, repeated after 7 days, with simultaneous treatment of household contacts (correct)

    Correct. Whole-body application, repetition and contact treatment are all needed.

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 Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is D, Permethrin 5% cream over the whole body from the neck down, washed off after 8 to 14 hours, repeated after 7 days, with simultaneous treatment of household contacts. Scabies is caused by Sarcoptes scabiei, and itching is a delayed hypersensitivity to mites, eggs and faeces.

Why is "Permethrin applied only to the itchy lesions for 3 days" not the answer?

Mites are present outside the visible lesions, so spot treatment will fail.

Why is "A single dose of oral albendazole" not the answer?

Albendazole is an anthelmintic and is not used for scabies.

Why is "Treat only the child, since adults cannot be infested" not the answer?

Adults in the household are infested and will reinfest the child if not treated.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Parasitology: scabies management in Microbiology. Treatment is topical permethrin applied to the whole body below the neck, repeated after a week, and all close contacts and household members are treated simultaneously. Bedding and clothes are washed in hot water.

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 Parasitology: scabies management?

Make a one-line identity card for each organism: shape and stain, defining test, toxin, disease and drug. Then use the flashcards and the other Microbiology 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.