Nutrition: SAM antibiotics: 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 · Nutrition: SAM antibiotics

Sample item

Which statement about routine antibiotics in SAM without complications is correct under the national guidelines?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Oral amoxicillin is given routinely for 5 to 7 days

Children with SAM often have hidden infections and a poor inflammatory response, so oral amoxicillin is given routinely for 5 to 7 days, and parenteral antibiotics are used if complications are present. Deworming and vitamin A are given later in the course. Fever and other signs are frequently absent in SAM.

Option by option

  • A. No antibiotics are ever needed

    Omitting antibiotics risks missed sepsis.

  • B. Only intravenous ceftriaxone is used

    IV ceftriaxone is for complicated SAM.

  • C. Oral amoxicillin is given routinely for 5 to 7 days (correct)

    Correct. Routine oral amoxicillin is advised.

  • D. Antibiotics are given only if a fever is present

    Absence of fever does not exclude infection in SAM.

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 Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is C, Oral amoxicillin is given routinely for 5 to 7 days. Children with SAM often have hidden infections and a poor inflammatory response, so oral amoxicillin is given routinely for 5 to 7 days, and parenteral antibiotics are used if complications are present.

Why is "No antibiotics are ever needed" not the answer?

Omitting antibiotics risks missed sepsis.

Why is "Only intravenous ceftriaxone is used" not the answer?

IV ceftriaxone is for complicated SAM.

Why is "Antibiotics are given only if a fever is present" not the answer?

Absence of fever does not exclude infection in SAM.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nutrition: SAM antibiotics in Pediatrics. Deworming and vitamin A are given later in the course. Fever and other signs are frequently absent in SAM.

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: SAM antibiotics?

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.