Which of the following viruses is NOT a causative agent of gastroenteritis?

Appeared in: NHM UP Staff Nurse-2023 Shift-2nd

Explanation

Papova virus is an obsolete term for a family of DNA viruses that included papillomaviruses and polyomaviruses.
These viruses are not associated with gastrointestinal illness; instead, they cause conditions like warts (papillomavirus) and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (polyomavirus).
Papova virus matches the defining clue or classification criterion in the stem.
Supporting mechanism: The option aligns with the governing rule, pattern, sequence, classification, or exam logic being tested.
Key differentiator: It fits the one fact that separates the correct response from the closest distractor.

Option A: Rotavirus is a primary cause of severe, dehydrating gastroenteritis, especially in infants and young children.
Option B: Norovirus is the leading cause of epidemic gastroenteritis in all age groups and is known for causing large outbreaks.
Option C: Astrovirus is a well-established cause of mild to moderate viral gastroenteritis, particularly in young children.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Etiology of viral gastroenteritis helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Recognizing the common causes of viral gastroenteritis is crucial for implementing appropriate infection control measures, as agents like Norovirus are highly contagious.
The primary nursing focus for any viral gastroenteritis is managing and preventing dehydration through oral or IV rehydration, regardless of the specific virus.
What if the patient was a 1-year-old child with severe watery diarrhea in winter? Rotavirus would be the primary suspect, and the nurse should inquire about the child's rotavirus vaccination status, as this is a key preventive measure.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the negative keyword 'NOT' in the question stem. This indicates you are looking for the option that is an exception.
The question asks which virus does NOT cause gastroenteritis. The task is to evaluate each option's relationship to this condition.
Review each option and recall the primary diseases associated with it.
Rotavirus, Norovirus, and Astrovirus are all well-known for causing diarrhea and vomiting (gastroenteritis).
Papova virus is linked to different pathologies, such as warts and other non-gastrointestinal diseases.
Select Papova virus as it is the one that does not fit the category of a gastroenteritis-causing agent.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Etiology of viral gastroenteritis
Stem keywords: virus, causative agent, gastroenteritis
Lead-in keywords: NOT
Negative lead-in flag: The question asks to identify the virus that is NOT a cause of gastroenteritis.

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E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 2057-2059

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 1 p. 1669-1671

Practise the full NHM UP Staff Nurse-2023 Shift-2nd

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