What is the most common cause of death from Measles?

MP CHO - 2022

Child Health Nursing (Pediatrics)

Easy

Appeared in: MP CHO - 2022

Explanation

Pneumonia is the most frequent fatal complication associated with measles.
The measles virus damages the respiratory tract's epithelial lining and causes immune suppression, creating an opportunity for secondary bacterial infections to invade the lungs.
While other complications are common, pneumonia accounts for the majority of measles-related deaths, particularly in young children and immunocompromised individuals.

Option B: This option is too broad. While the pneumonia that causes death in measles is typically a secondary bacterial infection, 'pneumonia' is the more specific and accurate answer for the direct cause of death. Other secondary bacterial infections (like otitis media or sepsis) are less likely to be fatal.
Option C: Measles encephalitis is a very severe complication, but it is much rarer than pneumonia (occurring in approximately 1-3 per 1,000 cases). Because it is less common, it is not the most common cause of death overall.
Option D: Otitis media (middle ear infection) is the single most common complication of measles overall, but it is rarely fatal.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Complications of Measles (Rubeola) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Recognizing the signs of pneumonia (e.g., cough, rapid or difficult breathing, chest retractions) in a child with measles is a critical nursing responsibility that requires prompt escalation.
The primary prevention for measles and its deadly complications is vaccination with the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine.
What if? If the patient with measles is an adult or immunocompromised, the risk of severe pneumonia and death is significantly higher than in a healthy school-aged child, requiring even more vigilant monitoring.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the keywords in the question: 'most common cause of death' and 'Measles'.
Recognize that the question is asking for the leading cause of mortality, not just the most frequent morbidity or complication.
Evaluate each option based on this distinction. Recall or deduce the difference between a common, non-fatal complication and a common, fatal one.
Eliminate 'Otitis media' because while it's the most common complication, it's not the most common cause of death.
Compare 'Pneumonia' and 'Measles encephalitis'. Pneumonia is far more common than encephalitis, making it the leading cause of death by volume.
Differentiate between 'Pneumonia' and 'Secondary bacterial infection'. Pneumonia is a specific, life-threatening condition, making it a better answer than the broader, more general category of secondary infections.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 1966-1968