STI: HIV post-exposure prophylaxis timing: practice question

A Dermatology 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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Dermatology · STI: HIV post-exposure prophylaxis timing

Sample item

A healthcare worker has a needle-stick injury from a known HIV-positive patient. Within what time should post-exposure prophylaxis ideally be started?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. As soon as possible, ideally within 2 hours and not later than 72 hours

PEP should be started as early as possible, ideally within hours, and not beyond 72 hours after exposure. The regimen is continued for 28 days. The exposed person is tested at baseline and followed up.

Option by option

  • A. Only after the worker's HIV test becomes positive

    PEP is meant to prevent infection, so waiting for a positive test defeats its purpose.

  • B. Within 1 month

    One month is too late to prevent infection.

  • C. Within 7 days

    Seven days is beyond the effective window.

  • D. As soon as possible, ideally within 2 hours and not later than 72 hours (correct)

    Correct. Earlier is better, and the window closes at 72 hours.

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 Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is D, As soon as possible, ideally within 2 hours and not later than 72 hours. PEP should be started as early as possible, ideally within hours, and not beyond 72 hours after exposure.

Why is "Only after the worker's HIV test becomes positive" not the answer?

PEP is meant to prevent infection, so waiting for a positive test defeats its purpose.

Why is "Within 1 month" not the answer?

One month is too late to prevent infection.

Why is "Within 7 days" not the answer?

Seven days is beyond the effective window.

What concept does this question test?

It tests STI: HIV post-exposure prophylaxis timing in Dermatology. The regimen is continued for 28 days. The exposed person is tested at baseline and followed up.

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 STI: HIV post-exposure prophylaxis timing?

Learn each condition by its primary lesion, site and signature sign. Then use the flashcards and the other Dermatology 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.