Neurology: 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 · Neurology

Sample item

A 2.5-year-old child has a generalised tonic-clonic seizure lasting about 3 minutes during a febrile illness. He recovers fully within minutes, and examination is normal apart from tonsillitis. What is the best management?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Reassure the parents and treat the fever source

This is a simple febrile seizure, which is generalised, brief and does not recur within the illness. The outlook is excellent, and continuous antiepileptics are not recommended. Investigations are directed by the findings, with lumbar puncture reserved for signs of meningitis.

Option by option

  • A. Urgent MRI of the brain

    Imaging is unnecessary when the seizure is simple and the child is well.

  • B. Routine lumbar puncture in every case

    Lumbar puncture is not routine when the child has recovered and there are no meningeal signs.

  • C. Start daily long-term phenobarbital

    Long-term phenobarbital has adverse effects without proven long-term benefit.

  • D. Reassure the parents and treat the fever source (correct)

    Correct. The condition is benign and does not need prophylactic drugs.

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 D, Reassure the parents and treat the fever source. This is a simple febrile seizure, which is generalised, brief and does not recur within the illness.

Why is "Urgent MRI of the brain" not the answer?

Imaging is unnecessary when the seizure is simple and the child is well.

Why is "Routine lumbar puncture in every case" not the answer?

Lumbar puncture is not routine when the child has recovered and there are no meningeal signs.

Why is "Start daily long-term phenobarbital" not the answer?

Long-term phenobarbital has adverse effects without proven long-term benefit.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neurology in Pediatrics. The outlook is excellent, and continuous antiepileptics are not recommended. Investigations are directed by the findings, with lumbar puncture reserved for signs of meningitis.

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 Neurology?

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.