Nutrition: severe 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: severe acute malnutrition

Sample item

A 14-month-old child has no oedema, a weight-for-height z-score of -2.5 and a mid-upper arm circumference of 11 cm. How is this child classified under current WHO criteria?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Severe acute malnutrition, because the mid-upper arm circumference is below 11.5 cm

In children aged 6 to 59 months, severe acute malnutrition is defined by weight-for-height below -3 z-scores, or mid-upper arm circumference below 11.5 cm, or bilateral pitting oedema. Either criterion is enough, so this child qualifies by arm circumference. Management depends on appetite and complications: community care or inpatient care.

Option by option

  • A. Moderate acute malnutrition only

    Moderate acute malnutrition has a mid-upper arm circumference of 11.5 to 12.5 cm and weight-for-height between -3 and -2.

  • B. Severe acute malnutrition, because the mid-upper arm circumference is below 11.5 cm (correct)

    Correct. Mid-upper arm circumference below 11.5 cm alone defines severe acute malnutrition.

  • C. Normal nutritional status

    The arm circumference is clearly abnormal.

  • D. Stunting only

    Stunting refers to low height-for-age and is a chronic indicator, not the one at issue.

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 PSM questions

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is B, Severe acute malnutrition, because the mid-upper arm circumference is below 11.5 cm. In children aged 6 to 59 months, severe acute malnutrition is defined by weight-for-height below -3 z-scores, or mid-upper arm circumference below 11.

Why is "Moderate acute malnutrition only" not the answer?

Moderate acute malnutrition has a mid-upper arm circumference of 11.5 to 12.5 cm and weight-for-height between -3 and -2.

Why is "Normal nutritional status" not the answer?

The arm circumference is clearly abnormal.

Why is "Stunting only" not the answer?

Stunting refers to low height-for-age and is a chronic indicator, not the one at issue.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nutrition: severe acute malnutrition in PSM. 5 cm, or bilateral pitting oedema. Either criterion is enough, so this child qualifies by arm circumference. Management depends on appetite and complications: community care or inpatient care.

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: severe 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.