Parasitology: pinworm household treatment: 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.

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Microbiology · Parasitology: pinworm household treatment

Sample item

A child has pinworm infection confirmed by an adhesive tape test. Which approach best prevents repeated infection in the family?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Treat all household members and repeat the dose after 2 weeks

Enterobius spreads easily within households through eggs on hands and fomites. Treating all contacts with a benzimidazole such as albendazole, repeating after two weeks to catch worms that hatch later, and hygiene measures prevent re-infection.

Option by option

  • A. Give metronidazole to the whole family

    Metronidazole is not active against Enterobius.

  • B. Treat only symptomatic members for 3 days

    Treating only symptomatic members misses asymptomatic carriers.

  • C. Treat all household members and repeat the dose after 2 weeks (correct)

    Correct. Whole-household treatment with a repeat dose handles re-infection.

  • D. Treat the child alone with a single dose

    Treating the child alone leaves untreated carriers who re-infect him.

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 Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is C, Treat all household members and repeat the dose after 2 weeks. Enterobius spreads easily within households through eggs on hands and fomites.

Why is "Give metronidazole to the whole family" not the answer?

Metronidazole is not active against Enterobius.

Why is "Treat only symptomatic members for 3 days" not the answer?

Treating only symptomatic members misses asymptomatic carriers.

Why is "Treat the child alone with a single dose" not the answer?

Treating the child alone leaves untreated carriers who re-infect him.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Parasitology: pinworm household treatment in Microbiology. Treating all contacts with a benzimidazole such as albendazole, repeating after two weeks to catch worms that hatch later, and hygiene measures prevent re-infection.

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 Parasitology: pinworm household treatment?

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.