One of the major complications due to mumps in males is?

GMCH Chandigarh - 2022

Medical & Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: GMCH Chandigarh - 2022

Explanation

Mumps virus can spread from the respiratory tract to other glandular tissues, including the testes, particularly after puberty.
This leads to orchitis (inflammation of the testes) in up to 30% of post-pubertal males infected with mumps.
The inflammation can damage the seminiferous tubules responsible for sperm production, leading to testicular atrophy.
Severe damage, especially when both testes are affected (bilateral orchitis), can impair fertility and, in rare instances, cause sterility.

Option A: Weakness (malaise) is a non-specific constitutional symptom that occurs during the prodromal phase of many viral illnesses and is not considered a major, defining complication of mumps.
Option C: Earache is a common symptom directly resulting from the swelling and inflammation of the parotid glands located near the ears. It is a primary symptom of parotitis, not a separate major complication.
Option D: While aseptic meningitis is a serious neurological complication of mumps, it is not specific to males and can affect both sexes. The question specifically asks for a major complication in males, making orchitis and its sequela (sterility) the most fitting answer.

Visual 1: Diagram - An illustration showing the location of the parotid glands and the testes, with arrows indicating the spread of the mumps virus from the primary site of infection to the site of complication (orchitis).
Visual 2: Infographic - A chart comparing the incidence of various mumps complications (orchitis, oophoritis, meningitis, pancreatitis, deafness) in vaccinated vs. unvaccinated populations and by gender.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Complications of mumps in post-pubertal males as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
The primary clinical takeaway is the importance of the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine, which is highly effective in preventing mumps and its serious complications, including orchitis.
Nurses play a key role in educating parents about vaccination schedules and counseling adult patients with mumps about potential complications and supportive care measures for orchitis, such as scrotal support and analgesia.
What if? If the patient were a pre-pubertal boy, the risk of developing orchitis from a mumps infection would be extremely low, and the concern for future sterility would be negligible. The complication is significant almost exclusively in post-pubertal males.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the keywords in the question stem: 'major complication', 'mumps', and 'males'.
The word 'males' is a critical qualifier, indicating you should look for a complication that is either unique to or significantly more common/severe in males.
Analyze the options through this lens. 'Weakness' and 'earache' are general symptoms, not major complications.
'Meningitis' is a major complication but affects both males and females.
'Sterility' is directly linked to the male reproductive system. Recall or deduce the connection: mumps can cause inflammation of the testes (orchitis) in post-pubertal males.
Conclude that orchitis leading to potential sterility is the most significant male-specific complication listed.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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