Hospital infection control: outbreak investigation: 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.

Try it

Microbiology · Hospital infection control: outbreak investigation

Sample item

Four neonates in a neonatal ICU develop Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteraemia within one week, while the unit usually sees about one such case per month. What is the most appropriate first step in managing this cluster?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Verify the diagnoses and confirm that an outbreak exists by comparison with baseline rates, while reinforcing basic precautions

An outbreak investigation begins by confirming the diagnosis and establishing that the number of cases exceeds the expected baseline. Next steps are to define cases, make a line list, describe cases by time, place and person, generate and test hypotheses with targeted environmental sampling and typing, and implement control measures. Basic infection control such as hand hygiene and cohorting is reinforced from the start.

Option by option

  • A. Give broad-spectrum antibiotic prophylaxis to every neonate

    Blanket prophylaxis selects resistant organisms and does not address the source.

  • B. Verify the diagnoses and confirm that an outbreak exists by comparison with baseline rates, while reinforcing basic precautions (correct)

    Confirming the diagnosis and the excess over baseline is the first step in outbreak investigation.

  • C. Send all neonates home immediately

    Discharging unwell neonates is unsafe and not an infection control measure.

  • D. Culture the hands of all staff and the environment before any other action

    Indiscriminate sampling without a case definition or hypothesis wastes resources and misleads.

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 Microbiology questions

Questions about this Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is B, Verify the diagnoses and confirm that an outbreak exists by comparison with baseline rates, while reinforcing basic precautions. An outbreak investigation begins by confirming the diagnosis and establishing that the number of cases exceeds the expected baseline.

Why is "Give broad-spectrum antibiotic prophylaxis to every neonate" not the answer?

Blanket prophylaxis selects resistant organisms and does not address the source.

Why is "Send all neonates home immediately" not the answer?

Discharging unwell neonates is unsafe and not an infection control measure.

Why is "Culture the hands of all staff and the environment before any other a…" not the answer?

Indiscriminate sampling without a case definition or hypothesis wastes resources and misleads.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hospital infection control: outbreak investigation in Microbiology. Next steps are to define cases, make a line list, describe cases by time, place and person, generate and test hypotheses with targeted environmental sampling and typing, and implement control measures. Basic infection control such as hand hygiene and cohorting is reinforced from the start.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Hospital infection control: outbreak investigation?

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.