Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Practice Exam

What should be administered to a newborn exposed to rubeola?

1. Immune globulin

2. Measles vaccine

3. Ribavirin

4. Palivizumab

The correct answer is: Immune globulin

Administering immune globulin to a newborn exposed to rubeola, or measles, is critical because it provides passive immunization. This is essential as newborns typically do not have mature immune responses, and the immediate protection is required to prevent the onset of measles, which can cause severe complications. In the case of rubeola exposure, immune globulin can be administered within six days of exposure to effectively reduce the severity of the disease or decrease the likelihood of developing measles altogether. This is particularly important in infants who may not have received their first measles vaccine, which is generally given at 12 months of age. Other potential options such as the measles vaccine are typically not recommended for newborns who are less than 12 months old, as it is contraindicated in this age group due to their immature immune systems. Ribavirin, an antiviral medication, is not indicated for the management of measles in newborns. Palivizumab is a monoclonal antibody used for the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in high-risk infants, and it does not offer any protection against measles. Thus, immune globulin is the most appropriate choice in this scenario to safeguard the health of the newborn