Which vaccine is given to prevent Cervical Cancer?

P.CHO-2019

Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Easy

Appeared in: P.CHO-2019

Explanation

Cervical cancer is primarily caused by persistent infection with high-risk strains of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
The HPV vaccine is specifically designed to generate an immune response against these high-risk HPV types, notably types 16 and 18, which are responsible for approximately 70% of cervical cancers.
The vaccine is a primary prevention strategy that works by preventing the initial infection with the most common cancer-causing HPV types.

Option A: The IPV (Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine) is used to prevent poliomyelitis, a viral disease that affects the nervous system and can cause paralysis.
Option B: The Hepatitis B vaccine prevents infection with the Hepatitis B virus. Chronic Hepatitis B infection is a major risk factor for liver cirrhosis and liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma), not cervical cancer.
Option D: This is a very broad and non-specific term. While the HPV vaccine is technically a type of vaccine that works against a virus, 'Antiviral Vaccine' is not the specific name for the vaccine used to prevent cervical cancer. In medicine, it is crucial to identify the specific agent or disease being targeted.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Prevention of cervical cancer through vaccination as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a critical role in public health by educating patients, parents, and communities about the safety and efficacy of the HPV vaccine, which is crucial for increasing vaccination rates and preventing cancer.
A key nursing responsibility is to counsel individuals that the HPV vaccine is a primary prevention strategy and does not replace the need for secondary prevention through regular cervical cancer screening (e.g., Pap tests).
What if? If a patient is a 30-year-old who has not been vaccinated, the nurse should explain that catch-up vaccination is an option based on shared clinical decision-making up to age 45. The benefit may be less than for an adolescent, but it can still offer protection against new HPV infections.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core subject of the question, which is the prevention of a specific disease: 'Cervical Cancer'.
Next, identify the intervention being asked about: a 'vaccine'.
Recall the primary causative agent of cervical cancer. This is a fundamental concept in women's health and oncology, which is the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
Connect the causative agent (HPV) to the specific vaccine designed to prevent it. The vaccine is named after the virus it targets, making 'HPV Vaccine' the logical choice.
Finally, evaluate the other options to confirm they are incorrect. IPV is for polio, and the Hepatitis vaccine is for liver-related diseases. 'Antiviral vaccine' is too general and not a specific medical term for a product.

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