Hepatitis B vaccination of healthcare workers: practice question

A Microbiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Microbiology · Hepatitis B vaccination of healthcare workers

Sample item

A hospital nurse completed a 3-dose hepatitis B vaccine series. One month after the last dose, her anti-HBs is 6 mIU/mL and HBsAg is negative. What is the next step?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Give a second complete 3-dose series and recheck anti-HBs 1 to 2 months later

Anti-HBs of at least 10 mIU/mL after vaccination indicates seroprotection. A level below this is a non-response, so after excluding infection with HBsAg, a further series is given and antibody is rechecked. Persistent non-responders are considered susceptible and need immunoglobulin after any exposure.

Option by option

  • A. Give a second complete 3-dose series and recheck anti-HBs 1 to 2 months later (correct)

    Correct. Revaccination and retesting is the standard approach to non-response.

  • B. Give hepatitis B immunoglobulin and no further vaccine

    Immunoglobulin gives only temporary passive protection and does not replace vaccination.

  • C. Repeat the same single dose every 5 years without testing

    Booster-only strategies without testing do not address non-response.

  • D. Reassure her that she is protected

    Six is below the protective threshold of 10 mIU/mL, so she is not protected.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is A, Give a second complete 3-dose series and recheck anti-HBs 1 to 2 months later. Anti-HBs of at least 10 mIU/mL after vaccination indicates seroprotection.

Why is "Give hepatitis B immunoglobulin and no further vaccine" not the answer?

Immunoglobulin gives only temporary passive protection and does not replace vaccination.

Why is "Repeat the same single dose every 5 years without testing" not the answer?

Booster-only strategies without testing do not address non-response.

Why is "Reassure her that she is protected" not the answer?

Six is below the protective threshold of 10 mIU/mL, so she is not protected.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hepatitis B vaccination of healthcare workers in Microbiology. A level below this is a non-response, so after excluding infection with HBsAg, a further series is given and antibody is rechecked. Persistent non-responders are considered susceptible and need immunoglobulin after any exposure.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Hepatitis B vaccination of healthcare workers?

Make a one-line identity card for each organism: shape and stain, defining test, toxin, disease and drug. Then use the flashcards and the other Microbiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.