A 19-year-old unmarried girl came to gynae OPD for vaccination against cervical cancer. Which vaccine will be administered to the client?

1. A

   Gardasil

2. B

   TCV

3. C

   Bexsero

4. D

   HBV

Appeared in: AIIMS Delhi NO- 2019

Explanation

• Gardasil is the correct choice as it is a vaccine specifically designed to prevent infection from the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
• Persistent infection with high-risk HPV types (like 16 and 18, which Gardasil protects against) is the primary cause of cervical cancer.
• The vaccine is recommended for adolescents and young adults to prevent HPV-related cancers before potential exposure to the virus.
• The client's age of 19 falls within the recommended 'catch-up' vaccination window (up to age 26).

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option B: TCV stands for Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine. It provides protection against typhoid fever, a bacterial infection, not cervical cancer, which is viral in origin.
• Option C: Bexsero is a vaccine against Meningococcal group B disease. This is a serious bacterial infection that causes meningitis and septicemia, unrelated to cervical cancer.
• Option D: HBV is the Hepatitis B Vaccine. While it does prevent a virus that can cause cancer (liver cancer), it does not protect against HPV or cervical cancer.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Immunization and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
• A nurse's role includes educating patients about the importance of the HPV vaccine for cancer prevention, its safety, and the correct dosing schedule.
• It is crucial to inform the patient that the HPV vaccine does not eliminate the need for future routine cervical cancer screenings (e.g., Pap tests) as it doesn't protect against all cancer-causing HPV types.
• Nurses must be prepared to address vaccine hesitancy by providing clear, evidence-based information and dispelling common myths about the HPV vaccine.

How to Approach the Question

• First, identify the core of the question: it asks for a vaccine to prevent a specific disease, 'cervical cancer'.
• Recall or deduce the causative agent of cervical cancer, which is the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
• Scan the options for a vaccine that targets HPV. 'Gardasil' is a well-known brand name for the HPV vaccine.
• Evaluate the other options to confirm they are incorrect. TCV (Typhoid), Bexsero (Meningitis B), and HBV (Hepatitis B) protect against different diseases.
• Confirm the choice. Gardasil is the only option that prevents HPV infection, thereby preventing cervical cancer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: Immunization and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
• Stem keywords: vaccination, cervical cancer, 19-year-old
• Lead-in keywords: Which vaccine
• Clinical cues: The patient's age (19) is important for determining the correct dosing schedule.
• Clinical cues: The reason for the visit (vaccination against cervical cancer) directly points to the type of vaccine needed.

Question ID

QGxPq_vblXINgMSFXfQyjj

Copy ID

Reference Book

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 1 p. 1569-1571

E6 Ghai Essential Pediatrics(pp 26-904 of 913) p. 201-203