AMC MCQ · Paediatrics
AMC Paediatrics MCQ Practice — 300+ Questions for IMGs
Fever, growth, immunisations, asthma and child protection — AMC MCQ paediatrics MCQs aligned with RCH and NIP.
329 questions in the full bank · 5 free samples below · Spaced repetition + AI explanations on the free tier.
Why Paediatrics matters in AMC MCQ
Paediatrics is one of the broadest disciplines on AMC MCQ, contributing 10–14 questions on neonatal jaundice, fever in the febrile child, growth and development milestones, paediatric asthma, immunisations under the National Immunisation Program, child protection, anaphylaxis, and common congenital conditions. Australian examiners are strict on dose-per-kilogram calculations and weight-based fluid resuscitation.
Mostly Medicine’s paediatrics bank is mapped to the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Melbourne Clinical Practice Guidelines, the National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule, and Therapeutic Guidelines: Paediatric. You’ll practise items on the febrile infant work-up under 3 months, croup severity grading, bronchiolitis management (high-flow nasal cannula, when not to give bronchodilators), the maintenance fluid 4-2-1 rule, paediatric BLS algorithms, and the differential between Kawasaki disease and adenovirus.
AMC paediatric vignettes commonly mix vital signs with weight, age and immunisation status, then ask for the most appropriate antibiotic dose, fluid volume or referral pathway. Practising 200+ Australian-aligned paediatric MCQs is the fastest way to internalise these patterns. Sign up free to unlock the full bank.
5 free Paediatrics sample MCQs
Below are five sample questions taken straight from the Mostly Medicine paediatrics bank. The correct answer is highlighted, with the worked explanation tucked inside a collapsed panel so you can self-test first.
A 9-month-old presents with fever 39.2°C, irritability and a non-blanching petechial rash on the trunk. He is lethargic. What is the MOST urgent action?
- A.Blood cultures and admit for observation
- B.IM benzylpenicillin immediately and transfer to hospitalCorrect
- C.Lumbar puncture to confirm meningitis before antibiotics
- D.Reassure parents and give paracetamol
- E.FBC and CRP and wait for results
Show explanation
Non-blanching petechial rash + fever = meningococcal septicaemia until proven otherwise. Do NOT delay antibiotics for LP. Give IM/IV benzylpenicillin immediately and transfer. In Australia, GIVE penicillin in the community before hospital transfer.
A 2-year-old boy has no single words, does not point to objects, makes poor eye contact and does not respond to his name consistently. What is the MOST appropriate action?
- A.Reassure parents — boys develop slower
- B.Refer to audiology and developmental paediatricianCorrect
- C.Suggest more screen time for educational content
- D.Review in 6 months
- E.Refer to speech therapy only
Show explanation
Language delay + poor eye contact + not responding to name = red flags for autism spectrum disorder. Requires urgent referral: audiology (exclude hearing loss) AND developmental paediatrician. Never reassure and delay — early intervention is critical.
A mother brings her 12-month-old daughter for a health check. Which of the following developmental milestones would you expect to be present by this age?
- A.Walking independently without support
- B.Saying 2–3 word phrases
- C.Pincer grasp, cruising, and 1–3 words with meaningCorrect
- D.Drawing a circle and using a spoon independently
- E.Climbing stairs with alternating feet
Show explanation
At 12 months: pincer grasp (9–12 months), cruising along furniture, 1–3 words with meaning (mama, dada with intent). Independent walking is typically 12–15 months (50% by 12 months). Two-word phrases emerge around 18–24 months. Drawing a circle is ~3 years. Alternating feet on stairs is ~3 years.
A 2-year-old boy has a generalised tonic-clonic seizure lasting 2 minutes in the context of a fever of 39.5°C. He recovers fully within 15 minutes. He has had no prior seizures and his neurological examination is normal. What is the MOST appropriate management?
- A.Admit and start phenobarbitone prophylaxis
- B.Urgent EEG and MRI brain
- C.Reassure parents, identify and treat the source of fever, and provide seizure first aid educationCorrect
- D.Lumbar puncture to exclude meningitis
- E.Prescribe regular diazepam suppositories for future fevers
Show explanation
Simple febrile convulsion: generalised, duration <15 minutes, occurs once in 24 hours, complete recovery, age 6 months – 6 years. No investigation required beyond identifying fever source. Reassure parents, teach seizure first aid, and treat the fever. No prophylactic anticonvulsants. LP only if signs of meningitis (neck stiffness, photophobia, non-blanching rash) — these are absent here.
A 5-year-old boy presents with sudden onset high fever (40°C), drooling, stridor, and is sitting forward with neck extended ('sniffing position'). He appears toxic and in respiratory distress. He has not had his Hib vaccination. What is the MOST likely diagnosis and appropriate action?
- A.Viral croup — oral dexamethasone and discharge
- B.Epiglottitis — do NOT examine the throat, call anaesthetics and ENT immediatelyCorrect
- C.Foreign body aspiration — urgent bronchoscopy
- D.Bacterial tracheitis — IV antibiotics and discharge
- E.Anaphylaxis — IM adrenaline
Show explanation
Epiglottitis: abrupt onset, high fever, drooling, toxic appearance, tripod/sniffing posture. Classic in unvaccinated children (Haemophilus influenzae type b). DO NOT examine the throat or attempt IV access/distress the child — can cause complete airway obstruction. Summon anaesthetics and ENT for controlled intubation in theatre. Viral croup has a barking cough, gradual onset, low fever, and responds to dexamethasone.
Want the other 324+ paediatrics MCQs?
The full paediatrics bank, AI-generated follow-up questions, weak-area analytics and spaced repetition are free to access — no credit card required.
Paediatrics FAQ
How are febrile infants tested?
Any infant under 3 months with fever ≥38 °C requires full septic work-up (FBE, CRP, blood culture, urine MCS, LP if <1 month or unwell-appearing) and empirical IV antibiotics per RCH guidelines.
What immunisations should I know?
Know the National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule from birth to school age, including BCG for at-risk infants, the 13-valent and 23-valent pneumococcal vaccines, and HPV vaccination at age 12–13 (now extended to age 25 catch-up).
How is paediatric asthma graded?
Mild, moderate, severe and life-threatening grading uses ability to speak, oxygen saturation, accessory muscle use, and conscious state. Treatment escalates from inhaled salbutamol → systemic steroids → IV magnesium → PICU referral per the Australian Asthma Handbook.
Do I need to know child protection law?
Yes. All Australian doctors are mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse or neglect to the relevant state child protection service. AMC tests scenarios where you must escalate without parental consent.
How many paediatric MCQs are free?
Five sample paediatric MCQs with explanations on this page. The full 200+ bank unlocks with a free Mostly Medicine account.