Child development: language delay: practice question

A Pediatrics 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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Pediatrics · Child development: language delay

Sample item

An 18-month-old has no single meaningful words and does not point to share interest. What is the appropriate response?

AReassure that assessment is never needed before age fiveBArrange developmental and hearing assessmentCDiagnose intellectual disability from one visitDStart stimulant medication immediately

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Arrange developmental and hearing assessment

Lack of meaningful words and absent joint attention at 18 months warrant developmental assessment, including hearing evaluation and autism-spectrum screening where appropriate. Early support improves outcomes.

Option by option

A. Reassure that assessment is never needed before age five
Waiting years can miss a valuable early-intervention window.
B. Arrange developmental and hearing assessment (correct)
Correct. Hearing and broad developmental assessment are appropriate first steps.
C. Diagnose intellectual disability from one visit
A single observation does not establish intellectual disability.
D. Start stimulant medication immediately
Stimulants are not first-line for language delay.

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 Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is B, Arrange developmental and hearing assessment. Lack of meaningful words and absent joint attention at 18 months warrant developmental assessment, including hearing evaluation and autism-spectrum screening where appropriate.

Why is "Reassure that assessment is never needed before age five" not the answer?

Waiting years can miss a valuable early-intervention window.

Why is "Diagnose intellectual disability from one visit" not the answer?

A single observation does not establish intellectual disability.

Why is "Start stimulant medication immediately" not the answer?

Stimulants are not first-line for language delay.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Child development: language delay in Pediatrics. Early support improves outcomes.

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 Child development: language delay?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics 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.