Identify the parasite in the image and select the most appropriate drug for its treatment:

INI-CET EXAM -2025

Pharmacology

Easy

Appeared in: INI-CET EXAM -2025

Explanation

The image shows a tapeworm, which is a cestode (a class of parasitic flatworms).
Praziquantel is the drug of choice for treating infections caused by all species of adult tapeworms, including Taenia saginata and Taenia solium.
It is highly effective, often requiring only a single oral dose to achieve a cure rate of 90-100%.
Praziquantel acts by causing spastic paralysis of the worm, leading to its detachment from the intestinal wall and expulsion from the body.
It is also effective against the larval stages (cysticerci) of the pork tapeworm, which makes it particularly valuable for T. solium infections.

Option B: Albendazole is not the first-line treatment for adult intestinal tapeworm infections. Its primary use is for nematode (roundworm) infections and for the larval form of the pork tapeworm that causes neurocysticercosis.
Option C: While Niclosamide is effective against tapeworms, it is considered an alternative, not the primary drug of choice. Praziquantel is preferred due to its simpler single-dose regimen and higher efficacy, especially for Hymenolepis nana.
Option D: Ivermectin's mechanism of action targets glutamate-gated chloride channels found in nematodes and arthropods, but not in cestodes (tapeworms). Therefore, it is ineffective for this type of parasitic infection.

Visual 1: Diagram - The life cycle of Taenia solium (pork tapeworm), showing the stages from egg to adult worm and the development of cysticercosis in both pigs and humans. This helps in understanding the transmission and prevention.
Visual 2: Table - A comparative chart of common anthelmintic drugs, their class, mechanism of action, and spectrum of activity (cestodes, nematodes, trematodes).

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Pharmacological treatment for Cestode (tapeworm) infections to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
Correct identification of the parasite is crucial for selecting the appropriate anthelmintic drug, as these agents have specific spectra of activity. Misidentification can lead to treatment failure.
Patient education is a key nursing responsibility. For tapeworm infections, nurses should educate patients and communities on the importance of thoroughly cooking beef and pork to kill the larval cysts and practicing good hygiene to prevent fecal-oral transmission.
What if the patient was diagnosed with neurocysticercosis instead of an intestinal tapeworm? The treatment would change from a single dose of Praziquantel to a longer course of Albendazole (preferred) or high-dose Praziquantel, often administered with corticosteroids to manage inflammation from dying larvae in the brain.

How to Approach the Question

First, carefully examine the image to identify the parasite. The long, segmented, ribbon-like appearance is characteristic of a tapeworm (cestode).
Next, recall the major classes of anthelmintic drugs and their primary targets (e.g., cestodes, nematodes, trematodes).
Evaluate the given options. Praziquantel is known as a first-line agent for cestode and trematode infections.
Consider the other options: Albendazole is primarily for nematodes and larval cestodes, Niclosamide is an alternative for tapeworms, and Ivermectin is for nematodes and ectoparasites.
Based on this analysis, conclude that Praziquantel is the most appropriate drug for the tapeworm shown in the image.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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