Which of the following gland commonly affected in Mumps?

JIPMER Nursing Officer-2024

Medical & Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: JIPMER Nursing Officer-2024

Explanation

Mumps is a viral illness caused by a paramyxovirus, known for its tropism (attraction) to glandular tissue.
The most characteristic feature of mumps is acute parotitis, which is the painful inflammation and swelling of the parotid glands.
While the virus can spread to other parts of the body, the parotid gland is the most common and primary site of infection and symptoms.
The swelling typically obliterates the space between the earlobe and the angle of the mandible.

Option B: The submandibular gland is a salivary gland, but it is involved in mumps infections much less frequently than the parotid gland.
Option C: Similar to the submandibular gland, the sublingual gland is rarely affected in mumps compared to the prominent involvement of the parotid gland.
Option D: The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system, not the salivary system. It is located in the neck and regulates metabolism. Mumps does not primarily target the thyroid gland, although rare cases of thyroiditis have been reported as complications.

Visual 1: Anatomical Diagram - A diagram showing the location of the three major salivary glands (Parotid, Submandibular, Sublingual) in the head and neck to help visualize their positions.
Visual 2: Clinical Photograph - An image of a patient with mumps, clearly showing the characteristic swelling of the parotid gland (parotitis) below and in front of the ear.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Pathophysiology of Mumps and its effect on salivary glands as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nursing care for mumps is primarily supportive, focusing on pain relief (analgesics), hydration, and a soft diet to minimize painful chewing.
A crucial nursing role is monitoring for complications, especially orchitis (testicular inflammation) in post-pubertal males, and neurological signs like meningitis or encephalitis.
Patient education on the importance of the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine is a key public health intervention to prevent mumps and its complications.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key concepts in the question stem: 'Mumps' and 'commonly affected gland'.
This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of the classic signs of a common infectious disease.
Recall the hallmark clinical presentation of mumps. The most memorable sign is the swelling of the cheeks, often described as 'chipmunk cheeks'.
Connect this clinical sign to the underlying anatomy. The large glands located in the cheeks, extending from in front of the ear down to the angle of the jaw, are the parotid glands.
Evaluate the options based on this knowledge. Parotitis (inflammation of the parotid gland) is the defining feature of mumps. The other salivary glands are less commonly involved, and the thyroid gland is anatomically and functionally distinct.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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