Malnutrition: dehydration in SAM: 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 · Malnutrition: dehydration in SAM

Sample item

A child with SAM and watery diarrhoea has some dehydration but no shock. Which oral rehydration fluid is preferred?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. ReSoMal (low-sodium, high-potassium rehydration solution)

Malnourished children have total body sodium excess and potassium deficiency, so ReSoMal with 45 mmol/L sodium and 40 mmol/L potassium is used. Standard ORS has too much sodium, which risks fluid overload and heart failure. Intravenous fluids are reserved for shock.

Option by option

  • A. ReSoMal (low-sodium, high-potassium rehydration solution) (correct)

    Correct. ReSoMal is formulated for malnutrition.

  • B. Undiluted fruit juice

    Juice is high in osmolarity and low in sodium.

  • C. Plain water

    Water lacks electrolytes and glucose.

  • D. Standard low-osmolarity ORS

    Standard ORS contains too much sodium for 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 A, ReSoMal (low-sodium, high-potassium rehydration solution). Malnourished children have total body sodium excess and potassium deficiency, so ReSoMal with 45 mmol/L sodium and 40 mmol/L potassium is used.

Why is "Undiluted fruit juice" not the answer?

Juice is high in osmolarity and low in sodium.

Why is "Plain water" not the answer?

Water lacks electrolytes and glucose.

Why is "Standard low-osmolarity ORS" not the answer?

Standard ORS contains too much sodium for SAM.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Malnutrition: dehydration in SAM in Pediatrics. Standard ORS has too much sodium, which risks fluid overload and heart failure. Intravenous fluids are reserved for shock.

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 Malnutrition: dehydration in SAM?

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.