Pediatrics Practice Questions
Pediatrics covers neonatal fever, febrile seizure classification, autism screening, and ADHD diagnosis, which is high-yield on the MCCQE, USMLE Step 2 CK, and PLAB. These four sample questions come from MediLingo's bank of 3,900+ questions across 23 specialties.
Sample questions
Question 1
A 12-day-old presents with rectal temperature 38.5°C. What is the appropriate management?
a) Outpatient observation with follow-up in 24 hours
b) Full sepsis workup + IV antibiotics ✓ Correct
c) Give acetaminophen and discharge with return precautions
d) Oral amoxicillin 90 mg/kg/day and follow up in 48 hours
Key teaching point: Febrile neonate (<28 days, ≥38°C): full sepsis workup (blood, urine, CSF cultures) + IV antibiotics (ampicillin + gentamicin) + admission. SBI risk ~10-20%.
Question 2
Which feature distinguishes a simple febrile seizure from a complex febrile seizure?
a) Fever temperature >39°C at the time of the seizure
b) Duration >15 minutes, focal features, or recurrence within 24 hours ✓ Correct
c) Onset before 12 months of age
d) Family history of febrile seizures in a first-degree relative
Key teaching point: Simple febrile seizure: <15 min, generalized, once in 24h. Complex: >15 min, focal, or recurs in 24h. Complex needs more workup (neuroimaging/EEG considered).
Question 3
At what ages does the Canadian Paediatric Society recommend routine autism-specific screening with M-CHAT?
a) 6 and 12 months at routine well-child visits
b) 18 and 24 months ✓ Correct
c) 3 and 5 years during preschool developmental checks
d) When parents express concern about language or social development
Key teaching point: M-CHAT-R at 18 and 24 months (CPS). Positive screen → refer for comprehensive ASD diagnostic assessment + audiology + early intervention.
Question 4
What are the DSM-5-TR criteria for ADHD?
a) Inattention symptoms only, present for at least 1 month
b) ≥6 inattention and/or ≥6 hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms for ≥6 months, onset before age 12, present in ≥2 settings, causing impairment ✓ Correct
c) Onset of symptoms after age 18 with impairment in multiple settings
d) Symptoms present in one setting only
Key teaching point: ADHD: ≥6 inattention and/or ≥6 hyperactivity-impulsivity (≥5 if ≥17 years), ≥6 months, onset <12, ≥2 settings, impairment. Types: inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, combined. Treat with stimulants (methylphenidate, amphetamine) + behavioral therapy.
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More practice questions
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- Nephrology — AKI, CKD, electrolytes, acid-base, and glomerular disease
- Hematology — Anemias, coagulation disorders, leukemias, and lymphomas
- MSK & Rheumatology — Arthritis, fractures, metabolic bone disease, and vasculitis
- Infectious Disease — Endocarditis, HIV, UTIs, sepsis, and tropical infections
- General Surgery — Biliary disease, breast, thyroid, and perioperative care
- Biostatistics & Epidemiology — Risk reduction, study design, confidence intervals, and screening
- Dermatology — Inflammatory dermatoses, infections, and skin manifestations
- Ophthalmology — Red eye, acute vision loss, and glaucoma
- ENT — Epistaxis, otitis media, croup, and pharyngeal infections
- Geriatrics & Palliative Care — Falls, delirium, dementia, capacity, and end-of-life
- Psychiatry — Mood disorders, anxiety, psychosis, and substance use
- Cardiology — Acute coronary syndromes, heart failure, arrhythmias, and valvular disease
- Respiratory — Asthma, COPD, pneumonia, and pulmonary embolism
- Gastroenterology — IBD, cirrhosis, GI bleeding, biliary disease, and pancreatitis
- Endocrine — Diabetes diagnosis, medications, and hypoglycemia
- Urology — Ureteral stones, hematuria workup, and renal colic
- Emergency Medicine — Trauma resuscitation, tamponade, tension pneumothorax, and burns
- Obstetrics & Gynecology — Pre-eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy, antepartum bleeding, and postpartum hemorrhage
- Musculoskeletal — Fracture classification, compartment syndrome, osteoporosis, and frozen shoulder
- Pharmacology — Antihypertensives, anticoagulant reversal, and beta-blocker selectivity
- Ethics — Informed consent, emergency treatment, minors, and refusal of care
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