Which of the following statements is/are correct about viral hepatitis?

RML Lucknow - 2021

Medical & Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: RML Lucknow - 2021

Explanation

All three preceding statements about the transmission of Hepatitis A, B, and C are factually correct, making this the most comprehensive answer.
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, often through contaminated food or water.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can be transmitted from an infected mother to her baby during birth (perinatal transmission), as well as through blood and sexual contact.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is mainly transmitted parenterally, through exposure to infected blood, such as via unsafe injection practices or inadequately sterilized medical equipment.

Option A: This statement is correct but incomplete. It only addresses the transmission of Hepatitis A, while the other statements about Hepatitis B and C are also correct.
Option B: This statement is correct but incomplete. It only describes one mode of transmission for Hepatitis B and ignores the other correct statements provided in the question.
Option C: This statement is correct but incomplete. It accurately describes the primary transmission route for Hepatitis C but fails to acknowledge that the other statements are also true.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Modes of transmission for Viral Hepatitis A, B, and C as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a crucial role in patient education on preventing hepatitis transmission, including promoting hand hygiene, safe sex practices, and avoiding the sharing of needles or personal items like razors.
For pregnant women with HBV, nurses must ensure the newborn receives both the Hepatitis B vaccine and Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (HBIG) within 12 hours of birth to effectively prevent perinatal transmission.
Screening of all pregnant women for HBsAg is a standard of care to identify infants at risk and initiate timely post-exposure prophylaxis.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the question, which asks to identify all correct statements about viral hepatitis transmission.
Next, evaluate each of the first three options as individual true/false statements based on your knowledge.
Recall the transmission route for Hepatitis A. It is fecal-oral, often through contaminated water. Therefore, the first statement is true.
Recall the transmission routes for Hepatitis B. These include blood, sexual contact, and mother-to-baby (perinatal). Therefore, the second statement is true.
Recall the primary transmission route for Hepatitis C. It is parenteral (blood-borne). Therefore, the third statement is true.
Since the first three statements are all individually correct, the final option, 'All of the above are correct,' is the most complete and accurate answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Modes of transmission for Viral Hepatitis A, B, and C
Stem keywords: viral hepatitis, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, transmitted
Lead-in keywords: is/are correct
Negative lead-in flag: false

QvLBCB3HMCFkzJoS82Taxg

E6 Textbook of Biochemistry for medical StudentsDM Vasudevan Part 2 — Subpart A (pp 1-239 of 478) p. 31-33

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 2 pp. 556-558, 559-561