Koplik's spots are seen in?

Appeared in: KPSC Staff Nurse - 2016

Explanation

Koplik's spots are a pathognomonic sign of Rubeola, also known as measles.
As seen in the image, they appear as small, bluish-white spots on a bright red background on the buccal mucosa (inside of the cheek), typically opposite the molars.
These spots are a key diagnostic feature because they usually appear 1-2 days before the characteristic measles rash, allowing for early diagnosis and isolation.

Option A: Rubella (German measles) is not associated with Koplik's spots. Its characteristic oral sign is Forchheimer spots.
Option C: Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection caused by Salmonella Typhi. Its characteristic rash consists of 'rose spots' on the trunk, not oral lesions like Koplik's spots.
Option D: Chickenpox (Varicella) is characterized by a vesicular rash described as 'dew drops on a rose petal.' The lesions appear in successive crops and are not the same as Koplik's spots.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Identification of the pathognomonic sign of Measles (Rubeola) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Early identification of Koplik's spots is a critical nursing assessment skill for the prompt diagnosis of measles and the immediate implementation of airborne isolation precautions to prevent nosocomial transmission.
Nurses play a key role in public health by checking the vaccination status (MMR vaccine) of suspected cases and their contacts, and educating families on the importance of immunization.
What if? If a patient presented with a fever and rash but also had a bright red 'strawberry tongue' and a sandpaper-like rash, the diagnosis would more likely be Scarlet Fever, which is a bacterial infection requiring antibiotics, unlike the viral measles.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'Koplik's spots.' This is a specific clinical sign.
Analyze the provided image, which shows small white spots inside the mouth. This visual evidence confirms the appearance of Koplik's spots.
Recall or deduce from your knowledge base that Koplik's spots are a pathognomonic (uniquely characteristic) sign for a specific childhood disease.
Evaluate the options provided. Rubeola is the medical term for measles. Rubella, Typhoid, and Chickenpox are associated with different characteristic signs (Forchheimer spots, rose spots, and vesicular rash, respectively).
Conclude that Rubeola is the correct answer as it is the only disease among the options that presents with Koplik's spots.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 1 p. 1682-1684

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart A (pp 26-201 of 604) p. 150-152

Practise the full KPSC Staff Nurse - 2016

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.