Sample Questions and Answers
A 7-year-old child presents with a 3-day history of a red, swollen eye with a purulent discharge. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Conjunctivitis
B) Uveitis
C) Corneal abrasion
D) Glaucoma
Answer: A) Conjunctivitis
Explanation: Conjunctivitis is the most common cause of a red, swollen eye with purulent discharge. It can be bacterial or viral, but bacterial conjunctivitis is more likely to present with purulent discharge.
A 9-month-old infant presents with irritability, vomiting, and a distended abdomen. The infant has been passing fewer stools than usual. On palpation, the abdomen is firm with a mass in the right upper quadrant. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Pyloric stenosis
B) Hirschsprung disease
C) Intussusception
D) Meconium ileus
Answer: C) Intussusception
Explanation: Intussusception occurs when part of the intestine slides into an adjacent part, leading to bowel obstruction. It commonly presents with vomiting, abdominal distension, and a palpable mass.
A 4-year-old child presents with a high fever, chills, and sore throat. On examination, the child has a sandpaper-like rash that begins on the neck and chest. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Scarlet fever
B) Measles
C) Chickenpox
D) Rubella
Answer: A) Scarlet fever
Explanation: Scarlet fever, caused by group A Streptococcus, presents with a sandpaper-like rash, a sore throat, and fever. It often follows a strep throat infection.
A 5-year-old child presents with a history of recurrent, painful, red, swollen joints, particularly in the knees and elbows. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
B) Rheumatic fever
C) Lyme disease
D) Systemic lupus erythematosus
Answer: A) Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Explanation: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis presents with chronic joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, particularly in the knees and other large joints. It is an autoimmune condition.
A 7-year-old child presents with a non-productive cough, shortness of breath, and a prolonged history of wheezing. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Asthma
B) Chronic bronchitis
C) Cystic fibrosis
D) Pneumonia
Answer: A) Asthma
Explanation: Asthma is characterized by wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. It is often associated with a history of allergic conditions and can be triggered by exercise or exposure to allergens.
A 6-year-old child presents with fatigue, pallor, and bruising. The child has a history of frequent infections. A complete blood count reveals a low hemoglobin level and a low platelet count. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Leukemia
B) Iron deficiency anemia
C) Aplastic anemia
D) Hemophilia
Answer: A) Leukemia
Explanation: Leukemia often presents with fatigue, pallor, easy bruising, and frequent infections due to impaired bone marrow production. A low hemoglobin level and low platelet count support this diagnosis.
A 5-year-old child presents with vomiting, abdominal pain, and a “sausage-shaped” mass in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Appendicitis
B) Intussusception
C) Gastroenteritis
D) Pyloric stenosis
Answer: B) Intussusception
Explanation: Intussusception often presents with vomiting, abdominal pain, and a palpable “sausage-shaped” mass. It is a common cause of bowel obstruction in young children.
A 6-month-old infant presents with a history of persistent diarrhea for the past 2 days. The infant is feeding poorly and has a low-grade fever. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Viral gastroenteritis
B) Bacterial gastroenteritis
C) Lactose intolerance
D) Celiac disease
Answer: A) Viral gastroenteritis
Explanation: Viral gastroenteritis, often caused by rotavirus or norovirus, is a common cause of diarrhea in infants. It typically presents with diarrhea, fever, and poor feeding, and usually resolves within a few days.
A 3-year-old child presents with a persistent cough, hoarseness, and a barking cough. The symptoms worsen at night. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Croup
B) Asthma
C) Bronchiolitis
D) Pneumonia
Answer: A) Croup
Explanation: Croup is a viral respiratory infection that causes a distinctive “barking” cough, hoarseness, and difficulty breathing, particularly at night. It is most common in children aged 6 months to 3 years.
A 9-year-old child presents with a history of increased thirst, frequent urination, and unintentional weight loss. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Type 1 diabetes mellitus
B) Type 2 diabetes mellitus
C) Hyperthyroidism
D) Cystic fibrosis
Answer: A) Type 1 diabetes mellitus
Explanation: The classic symptoms of type 1 diabetes mellitus include increased thirst, frequent urination, and unintentional weight loss, due to high blood glucose levels and dehydration.
A 12-year-old child presents with a red, swollen, and painful knee following a fall. X-ray reveals a fracture of the distal femur. What is the most appropriate management?
A) Apply a splint and refer for orthopedic evaluation
B) Apply ice and rest, and discharge with pain medications
C) Immediate referral for surgical intervention
D) Initiate a course of antibiotics to prevent infection
Answer: A) Apply a splint and refer for orthopedic evaluation
Explanation: Fractures in children require splinting to immobilize the affected area, and an orthopedic evaluation is needed for further management, which may include casting or surgery.
A 6-year-old child presents with a red, painful, swollen toe after stepping on a nail. The nail appears to have punctured the skin. What is the most appropriate next step?
A) Clean the wound and administer a tetanus booster
B) Apply ice and provide pain relief
C) Perform a wound culture to check for infection
D) Refer to a specialist for wound debridement
Answer: A) Clean the wound and administer a tetanus booster
Explanation: Any puncture wound, especially from a potentially contaminated object like a nail, requires cleaning and a tetanus booster if the child’s immunization is not up to date.
A 10-year-old child presents with pain and swelling in the wrist after a fall. X-ray shows a distal radius fracture. What is the most appropriate management?
A) Apply a cast and provide pain relief
B) Splint the wrist and refer for orthopedic follow-up
C) Administer antibiotics to prevent infection
D) Initiate physical therapy immediately
Answer: A) Apply a cast and provide pain relief
Explanation: A distal radius fracture in a child is typically managed with casting and pain control. Follow-up appointments will be necessary to monitor healing.
A 5-year-old child presents with a red rash that began on the face and spread to the trunk and extremities. The child has a low-grade fever and appears tired. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Measles
B) Rubella
C) Chickenpox
D) Fifth disease
Answer: D) Fifth disease
Explanation: Fifth disease, also known as erythema infectiosum, causes a characteristic “slapped cheek” rash followed by a lacy rash on the body. It is caused by parvovirus B19.
A 3-year-old child presents with a fever, sore throat, and a red, sandpaper-like rash. The child also has a history of a sore throat a few days ago. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Scarlet fever
B) Measles
C) Rubella
D) Chickenpox
Answer: A) Scarlet fever
Explanation: Scarlet fever, caused by group A Streptococcus, presents with a sore throat, fever, and a red, sandpaper-like rash. It often follows a strep throat infection.
A 15-year-old adolescent presents with back pain that worsens with physical activity. The pain is localized to the lower back and there is tenderness over the lumbar spine. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Scoliosis
B) Ankylosing spondylitis
C) Spinal strain
D) Spondylolysis
Answer: D) Spondylolysis
Explanation: Spondylolysis is a stress fracture of the pars interarticularis, which often causes localized low back pain, particularly in young athletes. It may worsen with physical activity.
A 4-year-old child presents with a history of persistent diarrhea for the past 4 days, along with abdominal cramping and a low-grade fever. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Gastroenteritis
B) Appendicitis
C) Celiac disease
D) Lactose intolerance
Answer: A) Gastroenteritis
Explanation: Gastroenteritis is a common cause of diarrhea in young children. It is typically viral but can also be bacterial, presenting with diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fever.
A 9-year-old child presents with a cough, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing after exposure to a known allergen. What is the most appropriate treatment?
A) Albuterol inhaler
B) Oral antibiotics
C) Antihistamines
D) Prednisone
Answer: A) Albuterol inhaler
Explanation: Albuterol inhalers are used to relieve acute bronchospasm in conditions like asthma, particularly after exposure to allergens. This child is likely having an asthma exacerbation.
A 10-year-old child presents with a persistent, non-productive cough and wheezing. The child has a history of eczema and seasonal allergies. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Asthma
B) Pneumonia
C) Bronchiolitis
D) Allergic rhinitis
Answer: A) Asthma
Explanation: Asthma often presents with wheezing, non-productive cough, and shortness of breath, particularly in children with a history of allergic conditions such as eczema.
A 6-month-old infant is brought in with a history of vomiting after every feeding for the past week. The infant is feeding well but is gaining weight poorly. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)
B) Pyloric stenosis
C) Lactose intolerance
D) Milk protein allergy
Answer: B) Pyloric stenosis
Explanation: Pyloric stenosis is a condition in which the pyloric muscle becomes thickened, leading to projectile vomiting after feeding. It usually presents at 3-6 weeks of age.
A 3-year-old child presents with a sudden onset of high fever, a sore throat, and difficulty swallowing. The child is drooling and prefers to sit upright. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Epiglottitis
B) Croup
C) Tonsillitis
D) Pharyngitis
Answer: A) Epiglottitis
Explanation: Epiglottitis is a life-threatening infection of the epiglottis that can cause drooling, fever, difficulty swallowing, and a preference to sit upright. Immediate intervention is required.
A 5-year-old child presents with a history of worsening facial pain, especially around the eyes and forehead, for the past week. The child also has nasal congestion and purulent nasal discharge. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Acute sinusitis
B) Allergic rhinitis
C) Common cold
D) Upper respiratory infection
Answer: A) Acute sinusitis
Explanation: Acute sinusitis typically presents with facial pain, nasal congestion, and purulent nasal discharge. It may follow a viral upper respiratory infection.
A 2-year-old child presents with a high fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. The child has a barking cough and stridor. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Croup
B) Epiglottitis
C) Asthma
D) Bronchiolitis
Answer: A) Croup
Explanation: Croup is characterized by a barking cough, fever, and stridor, which is a high-pitched sound heard during inspiration. It is most common in children aged 6 months to 3 years.
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