PLAB PLAB Pediatrics & Child Health

Question 1

A 2-year-old child presents with a barking cough, stridor, and low-grade fever. Symptoms are worse at night. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Croup (laryngotracheobronchitis)

Answer

Croup (laryngotracheobronchitis) is caused most commonly by parainfluenza virus, presenting with the characteristic barking 'seal-like' cough, inspiratory stridor, and nocturnal worsening in children aged 6 months to 3 years.

Question 2

Which vaccine is administered at birth as part of the standard UK immunization schedule for infants born to hepatitis B-positive mothers?

Accepted Answer

Hepatitis B vaccine

Answer

Infants born to hepatitis B surface antigen-positive mothers receive hepatitis B vaccine at birth (along with HBIG if high-risk) to prevent perinatal transmission, which carries high risk of chronic infection.

Question 3

A 6-week-old male infant presents with projectile non-bilious vomiting after every feed, is hungry immediately after vomiting, and has a palpable olive-shaped mass in the right upper quadrant. What is the diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Pyloric stenosis

Answer

Pyloric stenosis classically presents at 3–6 weeks of age with forceful projectile non-bilious vomiting, persistent hunger, and a palpable pyloric 'olive' mass; it is more common in firstborn males.

Question 4

What is the first-line treatment for a febrile seizure in a child who is currently seizing for more than 5 minutes?

Accepted Answer

Rectal diazepam or buccal/intranasal midazolam

Answer

Prolonged febrile seizures (>5 minutes) are treated as status epilepticus; rectal diazepam or buccal/intranasal midazolam are the first-line benzodiazepines recommended when IV access is unavailable in the community or prehospital setting.

Question 5

A 9-month-old infant is brought in with a 2-day history of diarrhea, vomiting, and mild dehydration. Stool examination shows no blood. What is the most likely causative organism?

Accepted Answer

Rotavirus

Answer

Rotavirus is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in infants and young children aged 6–24 months, causing watery (non-bloody) diarrhea and vomiting, particularly in the winter months.

PLAB - Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board Practice Test

PLAB - Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board Practice Test

PLAB PLAB Pediatrics & Child Health