Women who have Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) are at risk for development of

UPPSC 2017

Obstetrics & Gynecology

Easy

Appeared in: UPPSC 2017

Explanation

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the primary etiological agent for cervical cancer, with nearly 99.7% of cases associated with an oncogenic HPV subtype.
Persistent infection with high-risk HPV genotypes (such as HPV 16 and 18) is necessary for the development of cervical neoplasia.
The virus's oncoproteins, E6 and E7, interfere with host tumor suppressor proteins (p53 and pRb), leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation and malignant transformation in the cervical epithelium.
The transformation zone of the cervix is highly susceptible to these malignant changes following HPV infection.

Option A: Sterility (infertility) is not a direct consequence of HPV infection. While other sexually transmitted infections can lead to conditions like Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) which causes scarring and infertility, HPV primarily affects epithelial cells causing warts or dysplasia.
Option C: Uterine fibroids (leiomyomas) are benign smooth muscle tumors of the uterus. Their growth is primarily driven by hormonal factors, particularly estrogen and progesterone, and they have no known link to viral infections like HPV.
Option D: Irregular menses are typically caused by hormonal imbalances affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis. Conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), thyroid disorders, stress, or significant weight changes are common causes, not HPV infection.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Risk factors associated with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a critical role in preventing cervical cancer through patient education on HPV vaccination, safe sexual practices, and the importance of regular screening (Pap tests and HPV testing).
Understanding the link between HPV and cervical cancer allows nurses to effectively counsel patients, address vaccine hesitancy, and explain the rationale behind screening guidelines.
What if the patient was a 12-year-old girl coming for a routine check-up? The nurse's priority would shift from screening for existing disease to primary prevention by strongly recommending the HPV vaccine series to protect her long before any potential exposure.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question, which is 'Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)'.
Recall the primary health risk associated with HPV infection. Think about what this virus is most famous for causing.
Evaluate each option to see which one is a known, direct consequence of persistent high-risk HPV infection.
Option A (Sterility), C (Uterine fibroid), and D (Irregular menses) are common gynecological issues, but their primary causes are different (e.g., other infections, hormonal imbalances).
Option B (Cervical cancer) is widely established as being caused primarily by HPV. Therefore, this is the most logical and correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Risk factors associated with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection
Stem keywords: Human Papilloma Virus, HPV, risk for development
Lead-in keywords: BEST, MOST RELEVANT CLUE
Negative lead-in flag: false

Qu00nd8pndjpRAhfekkOQo

E6 Gynecology Williams pp. 240-293, 209-246

E6 Pathology-Vandana Puri & Kavita Gaur Textbook of Pathology and Genetics p. 336-338