B.C.G vaccine is given to protect the child against?

BCCL kharkhanda Staff Nurse - 2015

Community Health Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: BCCL kharkhanda Staff Nurse - 2015

Explanation

BCG stands for Bacillus Calmette-Guérin, which is a live attenuated vaccine.
It provides active immunity specifically against Tuberculosis (TB), a disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
As per the National Immunization Schedule in India, it is given at birth or as early as possible up to one year of age.
The vaccine is highly effective in preventing severe and disseminated forms of TB in children, such as tuberculous meningitis and miliary tuberculosis.

Option A: Diphtheria is a bacterial infection of the nose and throat. It is prevented by the Diphtheria toxoid component of the Pentavalent or DPT vaccine, not by BCG.
Option B: Tetanus (lockjaw) is a serious bacterial infection that affects the nervous system. It is prevented by the Tetanus toxoid, which is part of the DPT/Pentavalent vaccine series, not BCG.
Option C: Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection spread through contaminated food and water. It is prevented by the Typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV), not the BCG vaccine.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Knowledge of the BCG vaccine and the disease it prevents as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A key nursing responsibility is to correctly administer the BCG vaccine via the intradermal route into the upper layer of the skin on the left upper arm. Incorrect administration (e.g., subcutaneous) can lead to local abscess formation and enlarged lymph nodes.
During health assessments and well-baby visits, nurses must check for the presence of a permanent BCG scar on the left deltoid. The absence of a scar may indicate that the vaccination was not effective or not given, requiring follow-up.
What if? If a 9-month-old child has no BCG scar and no record of vaccination, the vaccine should be administered. After one year of age, BCG is generally not recommended as its efficacy diminishes and the risk of prior exposure to TB increases.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question from Community Health Nursing, focusing on the topic of immunization.
First, identify the core subject of the question: the B.C.G. vaccine.
Recall the full form of B.C.G. (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) and its primary purpose.
Associate the B.C.G. vaccine with its specific target disease, which is Tuberculosis (TB).
Systematically evaluate the other options to confirm your answer. Diphtheria and Tetanus are covered by the DPT/Pentavalent vaccine, and Typhoid has its own specific vaccine. This process of elimination reinforces that Tuberculosis is the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Knowledge of the BCG vaccine and the disease it prevents.
Stem keywords: B.C.G vaccine, protect, child
Lead-in keywords: BEST, MOST RELEVANT CLUE
Clinical cues: Age/sex group narrows the expected diagnosis, intervention, or normal reference range.

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