A child who recovers from chickenpox develops which type of immunity against the same disease?

NHM MP Staff Nurse - 2015

Applied Microbiology & Infection control

Easy

Appeared in: NHM MP Staff Nurse - 2015

Explanation

This form of immunity develops when a person is exposed to a live pathogen, gets the disease, and their immune system responds by producing antibodies and memory cells.
The term 'Natural' refers to the fact that the infection was acquired through natural contact with the pathogen.
The term 'Active' indicates that the person's own immune system was actively involved in producing the antibodies.
This process creates immunological memory, which provides long-term, often lifelong, protection against the specific disease, such as chickenpox.

Option B: Artificial active immunity is acquired through vaccination, where a killed or attenuated form of the pathogen is introduced into the body to stimulate an immune response. The question describes recovery from a natural infection, not a vaccination.
Option C: Natural passive immunity involves the transfer of pre-formed antibodies from a mother to her child, either through the placenta during pregnancy or via breast milk. The child's immune system does not produce its own antibodies.
Option D: Artificial passive immunity is a short-term immunization achieved by injecting pre-formed antibodies (immunoglobulins) into a person. This is typically done for post-exposure prophylaxis to provide immediate protection.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Types of Acquired Immunity to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
Understanding the different types of immunity is fundamental for nurses in patient education, particularly regarding vaccination schedules and the importance of immunizations.
Nurses must be able to explain to parents why a child who has had chickenpox doesn't need the vaccine, but a child who hasn't had the disease should be vaccinated to gain active immunity.
It is also crucial for understanding why passive immunization (e.g., VZIG) is given in high-risk situations for immediate, temporary protection.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key elements in the question: 'recovers from chickenpox' and 'develops which type of immunity'.
Break down the concept of immunity into its main categories: Active vs. Passive and Natural vs. Artificial.
'Active' means the body makes its own antibodies. 'Passive' means antibodies are received from an external source.
'Natural' means exposure happens through normal life processes (infection, from mother). 'Artificial' means exposure is through medical intervention (vaccination, injection of antibodies).
Apply these definitions to the scenario. 'Recovers from chickenpox' is a natural event, and the body 'develops' its own immunity, which is an active process.
Combine the terms: Natural + Active. This leads to the correct option, Natural Active Immunity.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Types of Acquired Immunity
Stem keywords: child, recovers, chickenpox, immunity
Lead-in keywords: which type
Clinical cues: Age/sex group narrows the expected diagnosis, intervention, or normal reference range.
Negative lead-in flag: false

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