Special population considerations — MCQs

A 28-year-old woman presents to her physician for follow-up. She was found to be HIV-positive 9 months ago. Currently she is on ART with lamivudine, tenofovir, and efavirenz. She has no complaints and only reports a history of mild respiratory infection since the last follow-up. She is also allergic to egg whites. Her vital signs are as follows: the blood pressure is 120/75 mm Hg, the heart rate is 73/min, the respiratory rate is 13/min, and the temperature is 36.7°C (98.0°F). She weighs 68 kg (150 lb), and there is no change in her weight since the last visit. On physical examination, she appears to be pale, her lymph nodes are not enlarged, her heart sounds are normal, and her lungs are clear to auscultation. Her total blood count shows the following findings: Erythrocytes 3.2 x 106/mm3 Hematocrit 36% Hgb 10 g/dL Total leukocyte count 3,900/mm3 Neutrophils 66% Lymphocytes 24% Eosinophils 3% Basophils 1% Monocytes 7% Platelet count 280,000/mm3 Her CD4+ cell count is 430 cells/µL. The patient tells you she would like to get an influenza vaccination as flu season is coming. Which of the following statements is true regarding influenza vaccination in this patient?

An 11-year-old boy is brought to his pediatrician by his parents for the routine Tdap immunization booster dose that is given during adolescence. Upon reviewing the patient’s medical records, the pediatrician notes that he was immunized according to CDC recommendations, with the exception that he received a catch-up Tdap immunization at the age of 8 years. When the pediatrician asks the boy’s parents about this delay, they inform the doctor that they immigrated to this country 3 years ago from Southeast Asia, where the child had not been immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. Therefore, he received a catch-up series at 8 years of age, which included the first dose of the Tdap vaccine. Which of the following options should the pediatrician choose to continue the boy’s immunization schedule?

A 24-year-old woman with HIV infection comes to the physician for a follow-up examination. She has been inconsistently taking combined antiretroviral therapy for the past 5 years. She did not receive any childhood vaccinations because her parents were against them. During the consultation, the patient says that she wants to catch up on the missed vaccinations. Laboratory studies show a CD4+ T lymphocyte cell count of 180/mm3. Administration of the vaccine against which of the following agents should be avoided in this patient?

A 2-year-old boy is brought in by his parents to his pediatrician. The boy was born by spontaneous vaginal delivery at 39 weeks and 5 days after a normal pregnancy. The boy has received all age-appropriate vaccinations as of his last visit at 18 months of age. Of note, the boy has confirmed sickle cell disease and the only medication he takes is penicillin prophylaxis. The parents state that they plan on enrolling their son in a daycare, which requires documentation of up-to-date vaccinations. The pediatrician states that their son needs an additional vaccination at this visit, which is a polysaccharide vaccine that is not conjugated to protein. Which of the following matches this description?

A 7-year-old African-American boy presents to his physician with fatigue, bone and abdominal pain, and mild jaundice. The pain is dull and remitting, and the patient complains it sometimes migrates from one extremity to another. His mother reports that his jaundice and pain have occurred periodically for the past 5 years. At the time of presentation, his vital signs are as follows: the blood pressure is 80/50 mm Hg, the heart rate is 87/min, the respiratory rate is 17/min, and the temperature is 36.5°C (97.7°F). On physical examination, the patient appears to be pale with mildly icteric sclera and mucous membranes. On auscultation, there is a soft systolic ejection murmur, and palpation reveals hepatosplenomegaly. His musculoskeletal examination shows no abnormalities. Laboratory investigations show the following results: Complete blood count Erythrocytes 3.7 x 106/mm3 Hgb 11 g/dL Total leukocyte count Neutrophils Lymphocytes Eosinophils Monocytes Basophils 7,300/mm3 51% 40% 2% 7% 0 Platelet count 151,000/mm3 Chemistry Total bilirubin 3.1 mg/dL (53 µmol/L) Direct bilirubin 0.5 mg/dL (8.55 µmol/L) A peripheral blood smear shows numerous sickle-shaped red blood cells. Among other questions, the patient’s mother asks you how his condition would influence his vaccination schedule. Which of the following statements is true regarding vaccination in this patient?

A 20-year-old primigravid woman comes to the physician in October for her first prenatal visit. She has delayed the visit because she wanted a “natural birth” but was recently convinced to get a checkup after feeling more tired than usual. She feels well. Menarche was at the age of 12 years and menses used to occur at regular 28-day intervals and last 3–7 days. The patient emigrated from Mexico 2 years ago. Her immunization records are unavailable. Pelvic examination shows a uterus consistent in size with a 28-week gestation. Laboratory studies show: Hemoglobin 12.4 g/dL Leukocyte count 8,000/mm3 Blood group B negative Serum Glucose 88 mg/dL Creatinine 1.1 mg/dL TSH 3.8 μU/mL Rapid plasma reagin negative HIV antibody negative Hepatitis B surface antigen negative Urinalysis shows no abnormalities. Urine culture is negative. Chlamydia and gonorrhea testing are negative. A Pap smear is normal. Administration of which of the following vaccines is most appropriate at this time?

A 28-year-old woman gives birth to a 2.2 kg child while on vacation. The mother's medical records are faxed to the hospital and demonstrate the following on hepatitis panel: hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) positive, anti-hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HbcAg) positive, hepatitis C RNA is detected, hepatitis C antibody is reactive. Which of the following should be administered to the patient's newborn child?

A 68-year-old woman with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) presents to her hematologist for routine follow-up. She has been on chronic corticosteroids for her ITP, in addition to several treatments with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and rituximab. Her labs today reveal a white blood cell count of 8, hematocrit of 35, and platelet count of 14. Given her refractory ITP with persistent thrombocytopenia, her hematologist recommends that she undergo splenectomy. What is the timeline for vaccination against encapsulated organisms and initiation of penicillin prophylaxis for this patient?

A 3-month-old African American boy presents to his pediatrician’s office for his routine well visit. He was born full-term from an uncomplicated vaginal delivery. He is exclusively breastfeeding and not receiving any medications or supplements. Today, his parents report no issues or concerns with their child. He is lifting his head for brief periods and smiling. He has received only 2 hepatitis B vaccines. Which of the following is the correct advice for this patient’s parents?

Five weeks after delivery, a 1350-g (3-lb 0-oz) male newborn has respiratory distress. He was born at 26 weeks' gestation. He required intubation and mechanical ventilation for a month following delivery and has been on noninvasive pressure ventilation for 5 days. His temperature is 36.8°C (98.2°F), pulse is 148/min, respirations are 63/min, and blood pressure is 60/32 mm Hg. Pulse oximetry on 40% oxygen shows an oxygen saturation of 91%. Examination shows moderate intercostal and subcostal retractions. Scattered crackles are heard in the thorax. An x-ray of the chest shows diffuse granular densities and basal atelectasis. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?