Infections: AFP surveillance: 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: AFP surveillance

Sample item

In AFP surveillance for poliomyelitis, how many stool specimens should be collected, and within how many days of onset?

AOne specimen within 30 daysBThroat swab within 1 dayCThree specimens within 3 daysDTwo specimens 24 hours apart within 14 days of onset

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Two specimens 24 hours apart within 14 days of onset

Two stool samples, at least 24 hours apart, are collected within 14 days of paralysis onset for virus isolation. A case is notified for any child under 15 years with acute flaccid paralysis. Follow-up examination at 60 days checks residual weakness.

Option by option

A. One specimen within 30 days
Thirty days is too late for poliovirus isolation.
B. Throat swab within 1 day
Poliovirus is isolated from stool.
C. Three specimens within 3 days
Three samples in 3 days is not the standard.
D. Two specimens 24 hours apart within 14 days of onset (correct)
Correct. Two stool samples 24 hours apart within 14 days.

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.

Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is D, Two specimens 24 hours apart within 14 days of onset. Two stool samples, at least 24 hours apart, are collected within 14 days of paralysis onset for virus isolation.

Why is "One specimen within 30 days" not the answer?

Thirty days is too late for poliovirus isolation.

Why is "Throat swab within 1 day" not the answer?

Poliovirus is isolated from stool.

Why is "Three specimens within 3 days" not the answer?

Three samples in 3 days is not the standard.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infections: AFP surveillance in Pediatrics. A case is notified for any child under 15 years with acute flaccid paralysis. Follow-up examination at 60 days checks residual weakness.

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: AFP surveillance?

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.