Neonatal Sepsis – Early/Late Onset MCQ Quiz | Neonatology

Welcome to this specialized MCQ quiz on Neonatal Sepsis, designed for MBBS students. This quiz covers the critical distinctions between Early-Onset Sepsis (EOS) and Late-Onset Sepsis (LOS), including their etiology, risk factors, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management. You will be tested on your knowledge of common pathogens, first-line antibiotic therapies, and preventive strategies. This assessment contains 25 questions to help you evaluate and reinforce your understanding of this vital topic in neonatology. After completing the quiz and submitting your answers, you will receive your score and see the correct answers highlighted. You can also download all the questions along with their correct answers in a PDF format for your future revision. Good luck!

1. Early-Onset Neonatal Sepsis (EOS) is defined as sepsis occurring within what timeframe after birth?

2. Which of the following is the most common causative organism for Early-Onset Neonatal Sepsis?

3. Late-Onset Neonatal Sepsis (LOS) is primarily acquired through which route?

4. Which maternal factor is a significant risk for developing EOS in a neonate?

5. What is the gold standard for diagnosing neonatal sepsis?

6. The recommended empirical antibiotic regimen for suspected Early-Onset Sepsis is:

7. A finding of an Immature to Total (I/T) neutrophil ratio greater than what value is highly suggestive of neonatal sepsis?

8. Which of the following is the most common pathogen associated with hospital-acquired Late-Onset Sepsis in preterm infants in the NICU?

9. A term neonate born to a GBS-positive mother who received adequate intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) is asymptomatic. What is the most appropriate management?

10. Which of these clinical signs is considered one of the most common but non-specific indicators of neonatal sepsis?

11. A lumbar puncture (LP) is strongly indicated in a neonate with suspected sepsis under which circumstance?

12. What is the standard duration of antibiotic therapy for a neonate with uncomplicated, culture-proven sepsis?

13. A 2-week-old infant in the NICU with a central line develops fever and lethargy. Which antibiotic regimen would be appropriate for suspected LOS?

14. Why is Ampicillin included in the empirical regimen for EOS?

15. A full-term infant presents at 12 hours of life with grunting, tachypnea, and poor feeding. The mother had a fever during labor. This presentation is most consistent with:

16. The most effective strategy for preventing GBS-related Early-Onset Sepsis is:

17. Which of these is a significant risk factor specifically for Late-Onset Sepsis?

18. In a preterm neonate, a subtle but significant sign of sepsis could be:

19. What is the minimum required duration of antibiotic therapy for neonatal meningitis?

20. Which laboratory finding is characteristic of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC), a severe complication of sepsis?

21. The term “sepsis screen” in neonatology typically refers to which combination of tests?

22. If a neonate is strongly suspected of having sepsis, when should antibiotic therapy be initiated?

23. In addition to GBS and E.coli, which other organism is an important cause of EOS and is specifically covered by ampicillin?

24. An elevated Procalcitonin (PCT) level is more specific for which type of infection compared to CRP?

25. Which of the following is NOT a common clinical feature of neonatal sepsis?