Infections: typhoid: 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 · Infections: typhoid

Sample item

A 6-year-old has 8 days of step-ladder fever, relative bradycardia and coated tongue. Blood culture is positive for Salmonella Typhi. What is a recommended drug for uncomplicated disease?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Azithromycin

Because of fluoroquinolone and multidrug resistance, azithromycin and third-generation cephalosporins such as ceftriaxone or cefixime are used. Blood culture in the first week has the highest yield. Complications include intestinal perforation and bleeding in the third week.

Option by option

  • A. Cotrimoxazole

    Cotrimoxazole resistance is widespread.

  • B. Azithromycin (correct)

    Correct. Azithromycin is an effective oral option.

  • C. Amoxicillin only

    Amoxicillin is no longer reliable.

  • D. Gentamicin

    Aminoglycosides are ineffective against Salmonella in vivo.

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 Pediatrics questions

Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is B, Azithromycin. Because of fluoroquinolone and multidrug resistance, azithromycin and third-generation cephalosporins such as ceftriaxone or cefixime are used.

Why is "Cotrimoxazole" not the answer?

Cotrimoxazole resistance is widespread.

Why is "Amoxicillin only" not the answer?

Amoxicillin is no longer reliable.

Why is "Gentamicin" not the answer?

Aminoglycosides are ineffective against Salmonella in vivo.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infections: typhoid in Pediatrics. Blood culture in the first week has the highest yield. Complications include intestinal perforation and bleeding in the third week.

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 Infections: typhoid?

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.