Maternal and child health: standard days method: 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 · Maternal and child health: standard days method

Sample item

A woman with regular menstrual cycles of 28 days wants a natural method that uses a string of coloured beads. According to the standard days method, which days of the cycle are fertile?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Days 8 to 19

In the standard days method, days 8 to 19 are the fertile days for women whose cycles are 26 to 32 days long, and unprotected sex should be avoided on those days. The beads help the woman keep track of the cycle day.

Option by option

  • A. Days 20 to 28

    Days 20 to 28 are late cycle days that are considered safe in this method.

  • B. Days 8 to 19 (correct)

    Correct. Days 8 to 19 are the fertile window in this method.

  • C. Days 1 to 7

    Days 1 to 7 are early cycle days and are considered safe in this method.

  • D. Days 10 to 16

    Days 10 to 16 cover only part of the fertile window and leave days of risk uncovered.

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 PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is B, Days 8 to 19. In the standard days method, days 8 to 19 are the fertile days for women whose cycles are 26 to 32 days long, and unprotected sex should be avoided on those days.

Why is "Days 20 to 28" not the answer?

Days 20 to 28 are late cycle days that are considered safe in this method.

Why is "Days 1 to 7" not the answer?

Days 1 to 7 are early cycle days and are considered safe in this method.

Why is "Days 10 to 16" not the answer?

Days 10 to 16 cover only part of the fertile window and leave days of risk uncovered.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Maternal and child health: standard days method in PSM. The beads help the woman keep track of the cycle day.

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 Maternal and child health: standard days method?

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.