NORCET 9 Mains - 2025
Applied Microbiology & Infection control
Easy
Which of the following is a killed vaccine?
Appeared in: NORCET 9 Mains - 2025
Explanation
- The Rabies vaccine is a killed (inactivated) vaccine, meaning it contains a virus that has been rendered non-infectious.
- Inactivated vaccines cannot replicate in the body, so they cannot cause the disease they are designed to prevent.
- This safety profile makes them suitable for individuals with weakened immune systems, for whom live vaccines are often contraindicated.
- The immune response is stimulated by the viral antigens present in the vaccine, even though the virus is not alive.
Why Other Options Were Wrong
- Option A: BCG (Bacille Calmette-Guérin) is a classic example of a live attenuated vaccine. It contains a weakened strain of Mycobacterium bovis.
- Option B: OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine) is a live attenuated viral vaccine (Sabin). It provides both humoral and intestinal immunity.
- Option D: The Measles vaccine is a live attenuated viral vaccine, most commonly given as part of the combined MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine.
Related Visual
- Visual 1: Chart - Comparison of Live Attenuated vs. Inactivated Vaccines. This chart would detail their mechanism, type of immunity induced, number of doses required, safety considerations (especially for immunocompromised patients), and provide common examples for each category.
Clinical Relevance
- Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Classification of vaccines: Live attenuated vs. Killed (inactivated) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
- A nurse's understanding of vaccine types is critical for patient safety. Live vaccines are generally contraindicated in pregnant women and individuals with compromised immune systems (e.g., due to HIV, chemotherapy, or immunosuppressive therapy) because the weakened pathogen can cause disease in these vulnerable populations.
- Accurate patient screening and education are key nursing responsibilities before vaccine administration. The nurse must assess for contraindications and explain the risks and benefits.
- What if? If a patient who is on long-term corticosteroid therapy gets bitten by a stray dog, the nurse should know that the Rabies vaccine, being a killed vaccine, is safe and necessary to administer for post-exposure prophylaxis. A live vaccine would be contraindicated in this immunosuppressed patient.
How to Approach the Question
- First, identify the key term in the question: 'killed vaccine'. This tells you the question is about vaccine classification.
- This is a factual recall question. You need to access your knowledge about common vaccines.
- Go through each option and mentally categorize it as either 'live attenuated' or 'killed/inactivated'.
- A) BCG: Live. B) OPV: Live. C) Rabies: Killed. D) Measles: Live.
- Based on this categorization, identify the option that matches the question's requirement.
- Select 'Rabies vaccine' as it is the only killed vaccine in the list.
Concept Tested & Keywords
- Concept Tested: Classification of vaccines: Live attenuated vs. Killed (inactivated)
- Stem keywords: killed vaccine
- Lead-in keywords: Which of the following
Question ID
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Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.
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