Immunisation: measles post-exposure prophylaxis: practice question

A Pediatrics 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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Pediatrics · Immunisation: measles post-exposure prophylaxis

Sample item

A healthy, unimmunised 14-month-old child was in close contact with a measles case 2 days ago. No contraindication to vaccines exists. What is the best step?

AGive a dose of measles-containing vaccine nowBStart oral antiviral therapy for 5 daysCGive immunoglobulin and withhold the vaccine for lifeDGive vitamin A alone and observe

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Give a dose of measles-containing vaccine now

Measles vaccine given within 72 hours of exposure can prevent or modify disease in a susceptible immunocompetent contact. Immunoglobulin is reserved for those who cannot receive the vaccine, such as pregnant women, young infants and immunocompromised persons, and may be given up to 6 days after exposure. There is no routine antiviral treatment for measles.

Option by option

A. Give a dose of measles-containing vaccine now (correct)
Correct. Vaccine within 72 hours of exposure is the preferred prophylaxis for a susceptible child.
B. Start oral antiviral therapy for 5 days
No antiviral is recommended for routine measles contacts.
C. Give immunoglobulin and withhold the vaccine for life
Immunoglobulin is for contacts who cannot be given the vaccine, and it does not mean the vaccine is withheld for life.
D. Give vitamin A alone and observe
Vitamin A is treatment for a child with measles and does not replace post-exposure vaccination.

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 Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is A, Give a dose of measles-containing vaccine now. Measles vaccine given within 72 hours of exposure can prevent or modify disease in a susceptible immunocompetent contact.

Why is "Start oral antiviral therapy for 5 days" not the answer?

No antiviral is recommended for routine measles contacts.

Why is "Give immunoglobulin and withhold the vaccine for life" not the answer?

Immunoglobulin is for contacts who cannot be given the vaccine, and it does not mean the vaccine is withheld for life.

Why is "Give vitamin A alone and observe" not the answer?

Vitamin A is treatment for a child with measles and does not replace post-exposure vaccination.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Immunisation: measles post-exposure prophylaxis in Pediatrics. Immunoglobulin is reserved for those who cannot receive the vaccine, such as pregnant women, young infants and immunocompromised persons, and may be given up to 6 days after exposure. There is no routine antiviral treatment for measles.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. 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 Immunisation: measles post-exposure prophylaxis?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics 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.