Maternal and child health: cord care: 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: cord care

Sample item

In areas with high home delivery rates and high neonatal mortality, which agent applied to the umbilical stump is recommended to reduce omphalitis and death?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Chlorhexidine

Application of 4 percent chlorhexidine to the cord stump reduces omphalitis and neonatal mortality in high-risk settings. Traditional substances such as cow dung and turmeric introduce infection, including tetanus.

Option by option

  • A. Chlorhexidine (correct)

    Correct. Chlorhexidine is an antiseptic proven to reduce infection.

  • B. Cow dung

    Cow dung can introduce tetanus spores.

  • C. Turmeric paste

    Turmeric paste is a harmful traditional practice.

  • D. Talcum powder

    Talcum powder is not antiseptic.

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 PSM questions

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is A, Chlorhexidine. Application of 4 percent chlorhexidine to the cord stump reduces omphalitis and neonatal mortality in high-risk settings.

Why is "Cow dung" not the answer?

Cow dung can introduce tetanus spores.

Why is "Turmeric paste" not the answer?

Turmeric paste is a harmful traditional practice.

Why is "Talcum powder" not the answer?

Talcum powder is not antiseptic.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Maternal and child health: cord care in PSM. Traditional substances such as cow dung and turmeric introduce infection, including tetanus.

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: cord care?

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.