Clinical microbiology and hospital infection control: varicella exposure in staff: 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 · Clinical microbiology and hospital infection control: varicella exposure in staff

Sample item

A nurse with no history of varicella or vaccination and negative serology is exposed to an inpatient with chickenpox. When should she be excluded from work?

ANot at all if she wears a surgical maskBOnly while the patient has active lesionsCFor 48 hours after exposureDFrom day 8 to day 21 after exposure

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. From day 8 to day 21 after exposure

Susceptible healthcare workers exposed to varicella can become infectious from about day 8 to day 21 after exposure, as the incubation period is 10 to 21 days. Exclusion covers that window, and is extended if immunoglobulin is given.

Option by option

A. Not at all if she wears a surgical mask
A surgical mask does not prevent airborne spread of varicella.
B. Only while the patient has active lesions
The window depends on the worker's own incubation, not the patient's lesions.
C. For 48 hours after exposure
Forty-eight hours is far too short for the incubation period.
D. From day 8 to day 21 after exposure (correct)
Correct. Exclusion covers the possible infectious period from day 8 to day 21.

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.

Questions about this Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is D, From day 8 to day 21 after exposure. Susceptible healthcare workers exposed to varicella can become infectious from about day 8 to day 21 after exposure, as the incubation period is 10 to 21 days.

Why is "Not at all if she wears a surgical mask" not the answer?

A surgical mask does not prevent airborne spread of varicella.

Why is "Only while the patient has active lesions" not the answer?

The window depends on the worker's own incubation, not the patient's lesions.

Why is "For 48 hours after exposure" not the answer?

Forty-eight hours is far too short for the incubation period.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Clinical microbiology and hospital infection control: varicella exposure in staff in Microbiology. Exclusion covers that window, and is extended if immunoglobulin is given.

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 Clinical microbiology and hospital infection control: varicella exposure in staff?

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.