Which of the following diseases can be prevented by the administration of the Pentavalent vaccine?

Appeared in: BTSC Staff Nurse 31 July-2025

Explanation

The Pentavalent vaccine is a 5-in-1 combination vaccine.
It provides immunity against five key diseases: Diphtheria, Pertussis (whooping cough), Tetanus, Hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).
This specific combination matches the components listed in the correct option.
Under India's Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), the Pentavalent vaccine has replaced the standalone DPT and Hepatitis B vaccines for the primary infant series at 6, 10, and 14 weeks.

Option A: This option incorrectly includes Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Polio.
Option B: This option incorrectly includes Tuberculosis and Polio.
Option D: This option incorrectly includes Polio, Measles, and Rubella.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Composition of the Pentavalent vaccine and the diseases it prevents as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
The use of combination vaccines like the Pentavalent vaccine is a key public health strategy to increase immunization coverage and timeliness by reducing the number of required injections.
Nurses play a critical role in educating parents about the importance of completing the full three-dose schedule of the Pentavalent vaccine to ensure their child is fully protected.
A nurse must be aware of the correct storage requirements (2-8°C, do not freeze) and administration site (intramuscular injection in the anterolateral aspect of the mid-thigh) for the Pentavalent vaccine.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'Pentavalent vaccine'.
Recall that 'penta-' means five. This tells you the vaccine protects against five diseases.
Systematically review your knowledge of the National Immunization Schedule. Recall the five components of the Pentavalent vaccine: Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus (these three are from DPT), plus Hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).
Carefully read each option and compare it against the five correct components.
Eliminate options that contain diseases covered by other vaccines, such as Measles (MMR), Polio (OPV), or Tuberculosis (BCG).
Select the option that perfectly matches all five components of the Pentavalent vaccine.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Composition of the Pentavalent vaccine and the diseases it prevents.
Stem keywords: Pentavalent vaccine, diseases, prevented
Lead-in keywords: Which
Negative lead-in flag: false

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart C (pp 404-604 of 604) p. 125-127

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart A (pp 26-201 of 604) pp. 166-168, 165-167

Practise the full BTSC Staff Nurse 31 July-2025

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