Diarrhoeal diseases: 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 · Diarrhoeal diseases

Sample item

A child with diarrhoea has 'some dehydration'. What is the recommended initial management?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. ORS 75 mL/kg over 4 hours

WHO Plan B treats some dehydration with oral rehydration solution, 75 mL/kg over 4 hours, then reassessment. Severe dehydration needs intravenous fluids. Zinc supplements reduce duration and severity, and antibiotics are only for dysentery or cholera.

Option by option

  • A. Antimotility drugs

    Antimotility drugs are not recommended in children.

  • B. Antibiotics

    Most acute diarrhoea is viral and does not need antibiotics.

  • C. Intravenous Ringer lactate bolus

    Intravenous fluids are for severe dehydration or inability to drink.

  • D. ORS 75 mL/kg over 4 hours (correct)

    Correct. Oral rehydration is safe, effective and works in most children.

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 D, ORS 75 mL/kg over 4 hours. WHO Plan B treats some dehydration with oral rehydration solution, 75 mL/kg over 4 hours, then reassessment.

Why is "Antimotility drugs" not the answer?

Antimotility drugs are not recommended in children.

Why is "Antibiotics" not the answer?

Most acute diarrhoea is viral and does not need antibiotics.

Why is "Intravenous Ringer lactate bolus" not the answer?

Intravenous fluids are for severe dehydration or inability to drink.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Diarrhoeal diseases in Pediatrics. Severe dehydration needs intravenous fluids. Zinc supplements reduce duration and severity, and antibiotics are only for dysentery or cholera.

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 Diarrhoeal diseases?

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.