Which vaccine controls diarrhea?

Appeared in: MP CHO -2021 (Shift 1st)

Explanation

Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe, dehydrating diarrhea in infants and young children globally.
The Rotavirus vaccine is a live, attenuated vaccine specifically developed to protect against gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus infection.
It is administered orally (as drops) and is a critical part of the national immunization schedule to reduce childhood morbidity and mortality from diarrhea.

Option A: The Pneumococcal vaccine protects against infections caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Option C: The Salk vaccine, or Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV), is used to prevent poliomyelitis.
Option D: The HIB vaccine protects against diseases caused by the bacterium Haemophilus influenzae type b.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Childhood immunizations and preventable diseases as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses are responsible for administering the oral rotavirus vaccine and educating parents on the importance of completing the full immunization schedule to ensure protection.
A key nursing role is teaching parents to identify signs of dehydration (e.g., sunken eyes, decreased urination, lethargy) and to use Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) to manage diarrhea, as the vaccine prevents severe disease but not all mild cases.
What if? If an infant has moderate to severe diarrhea or vomiting at the time of a scheduled appointment, the administration of the oral rotavirus vaccine should be postponed. This is because the illness might interfere with the vaccine's effectiveness.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of common childhood vaccines.
Identify the key term in the question: 'controls diarrhea'.
Systematically review the purpose of each vaccine listed in the options.
Recall that the Rotavirus vaccine is specifically designed to prevent severe gastroenteritis, which is characterized by diarrhea and vomiting.
Eliminate the other options by matching them to the diseases they prevent: Pneumococcal (pneumonia), Salk (polio), and HIB (meningitis).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Ghai Essential Pediatrics(pp 26-904 of 913) p. 200-202

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart B (pp 202-403 of 604) p. 82-84

Practise the full MP CHO -2021 (Shift 1st)

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