Respiratory diseases: 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 · Respiratory diseases

Sample item

A 2-year-old has a barking cough, hoarse voice, inspiratory stridor and low-grade fever after a coryzal illness. Neck radiograph shows narrowing of the subglottic air column. Which treatment is most appropriate for moderate croup?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Single dose of oral or intramuscular dexamethasone

Croup (laryngotracheobronchitis) is usually caused by parainfluenza virus and produces subglottic oedema, giving the steeple sign. Corticosteroids reduce airway oedema and the need for hospital stay, and nebulised adrenaline is added for severe stridor at rest. Antibiotics are not indicated.

Option by option

  • A. Oral montelukast

    Montelukast has no established role in croup.

  • B. Nebulised salbutamol

    Salbutamol relaxes bronchial smooth muscle, which is not the problem in croup.

  • C. Oral amoxicillin

    Amoxicillin does not treat a viral illness.

  • D. Single dose of oral or intramuscular dexamethasone (correct)

    Correct. A single dose of dexamethasone shortens illness and reduces severity.

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.

More Pediatrics questions

Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is D, Single dose of oral or intramuscular dexamethasone. Croup (laryngotracheobronchitis) is usually caused by parainfluenza virus and produces subglottic oedema, giving the steeple sign.

Why is "Oral montelukast" not the answer?

Montelukast has no established role in croup.

Why is "Nebulised salbutamol" not the answer?

Salbutamol relaxes bronchial smooth muscle, which is not the problem in croup.

Why is "Oral amoxicillin" not the answer?

Amoxicillin does not treat a viral illness.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Respiratory diseases in Pediatrics. Corticosteroids reduce airway oedema and the need for hospital stay, and nebulised adrenaline is added for severe stridor at rest. Antibiotics are not indicated.

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 Respiratory diseases?

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.