Communicable diseases: false contraindications to vaccination: practice question

A PSM 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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PSM · Communicable diseases: false contraindications to vaccination

Sample item

A 10-month-old with mild diarrhoea and low-grade fever (37.8 degrees C) is brought for measles-rubella vaccination. What should the health worker do?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Vaccinate, because these are not contraindications

Mild illness, low-grade fever and mild diarrhoea are false contraindications. Missed opportunities lower coverage. True contraindications include severe allergic reaction to a previous dose or an immunodeficiency for live vaccines.

Option by option

  • A. Give only antibiotics today

    Antibiotics are not required and vaccination should not be withheld.

  • B. Vaccinate, because these are not contraindications (correct)

    Correct. Minor illness does not preclude vaccination.

  • C. Give half dose of vaccine

    Half doses give inadequate protection.

  • D. Defer vaccination until fully recovered

    Deferring creates a missed opportunity.

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.

More PSM questions

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is B, Vaccinate, because these are not contraindications. Mild illness, low-grade fever and mild diarrhoea are false contraindications.

Why is "Give only antibiotics today" not the answer?

Antibiotics are not required and vaccination should not be withheld.

Why is "Give half dose of vaccine" not the answer?

Half doses give inadequate protection.

Why is "Defer vaccination until fully recovered" not the answer?

Deferring creates a missed opportunity.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Communicable diseases: false contraindications to vaccination in PSM. Missed opportunities lower coverage. True contraindications include severe allergic reaction to a previous dose or an immunodeficiency for live vaccines.

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 Communicable diseases: false contraindications to vaccination?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM 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.