Pediatric Quiz for Medical Students
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. A 2-year-old with acute gastroenteritis has dry mucous membranes and reduced urine output but is alert, hemodynamically stable, and willing to drink. What is the preferred initial rehydration method?
A rapid intravenous fluid bolus regardless of oral tolerance
Undiluted fruit juice given in large amounts
An antidiarrheal medication followed by unrestricted feeding
Oral rehydration solution given in small, frequent amounts
2. A child with new-onset type 1 diabetes has dehydration, abdominal pain, Kussmaul respirations, hyperglycemia, and metabolic acidosis. What is the appropriate first treatment priority for diabetic ketoacidosis?
Use oral rehydration alone until the glucose normalizes
Give an intravenous insulin bolus before starting fluids
Administer bicarbonate routinely to correct the acidosis
Begin carefully calculated isotonic intravenous fluid replacement
3. A 7-year-old with asthma presents with wheezing, chest tightness, and mildly increased work of breathing after playing outside. Which medication is the appropriate initial bronchodilator?
Inhaled albuterol delivered with an age-appropriate device
An inhaled long-acting beta agonist used alone
Oral amoxicillin
An oral leukotriene modifier as the only acute treatment
4. A 4-year-old has five days of fever, bilateral nonpurulent conjunctivitis, a strawberry tongue, rash, and swollen hands. Which treatment is used to reduce the risk of coronary complications?
Intravenous antibiotics and corticosteroids for all patients
Oral acyclovir and supportive fluids
Intravenous immunoglobulin and aspirin
Acetaminophen alone until the fever resolves
5. Which laboratory pattern most strongly supports iron-deficiency anemia in a child?
Macrocytosis, high ferritin, and low total iron-binding capacity
Microcytosis, high ferritin, and low total iron-binding capacity
Microcytosis, low ferritin, and high total iron-binding capacity
Normocytosis, normal ferritin, and isolated thrombocytopenia
6. Which finding in a jaundiced newborn most clearly requires prompt evaluation for pathologic hyperbilirubinemia?
Jaundice that becomes visible on the third day of life
Jaundice appearing during the first 24 hours after birth
Jaundice that gradually resolves during the first two weeks
Mild jaundice in a feeding, alert term infant
7. A 5-year-old develops periorbital edema and dependent swelling. Urinalysis shows heavy proteinuria, and blood testing shows hypoalbuminemia. Blood pressure and kidney function are normal. Which condition is most likely?
Minimal change nephrotic syndrome
Hemolytic uremic syndrome
Acute pyelonephritis
Poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis
8. A 10-month-old has sudden episodes of intense crying, draws the knees toward the abdomen, and then appears tired between episodes. Later, red, mucus-like stool is passed. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis
Intussusception
Acute appendicitis
Uncomplicated viral gastroenteritis
9. A well-appearing 2-week-old has a rectal temperature of 38.0°C (100.4°F). What is the most appropriate management?
Arrange urgent hospital evaluation for serious infection and management according to neonatal fever protocols
Give an antipyretic at home without further assessment
Start an oral antibiotic without diagnostic testing
Arrange routine follow-up in several days if the fever persists
10. An 8-month-old has rhinorrhea, cough, diffuse wheezing, and fine crackles. Oxygen saturation is 96% on room air, work of breathing is mild, and the infant can still feed. What is the most appropriate initial approach for likely bronchiolitis?
Oral antibiotics targeting common respiratory bacteria
Routine scheduled inhaled albuterol until the wheeze resolves
Supportive care with nasal suction, hydration support, and monitoring
A routine course of systemic corticosteroids
11. A febrile child is sitting forward, drooling, and speaking with a muffled voice. Epiglottitis is suspected. What is the safest next step?
Lay the child flat and inspect the pharynx immediately
Keep the child calm and arrange controlled airway management with appropriate specialists
Obtain a throat swab before beginning other care
Send the child for an unmonitored neck radiograph before addressing the airway
12. A 3-year-old develops a barking cough and hoarse voice. Stridor occurs only when the child becomes upset, and there is no drooling. Which treatment is most appropriate?
A single dose of dexamethasone
Immediate amoxicillin therapy
Direct inspection of the throat with a tongue depressor
A daily inhaled corticosteroid for several months
13. Which cerebrospinal fluid pattern is most characteristic of acute bacterial meningitis?
Normal glucose, normal protein, and no white blood cells
Normal glucose, mildly elevated protein, and lymphocyte predominance
Elevated glucose, low protein, and eosinophil predominance
Low glucose, elevated protein, and neutrophil predominance
14. Which developmental milestone is most typically present by about 2 months of age?
A mature pincer grasp
A social smile in response to another person
Independent sitting without support
Spontaneous two-word phrases
15. A child has a harsh holosystolic murmur heard best at the lower left sternal border. Which cardiac lesion is most consistent with this finding?
Atrial septal defect
Patent ductus arteriosus
Ventricular septal defect
Pulmonary valve stenosis
16. A nonmobile 4-month-old is found to have multiple patterned bruises without a clear accidental explanation. What is the most appropriate response?
Reassure the caregivers because bruising is expected at this age
Delay assessment until bruises recur or the infant begins crawling
Attribute the findings to routine rolling without further examination
Initiate an immediate medical and safety evaluation and follow local safeguarding procedures