Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

What advice should be given to a female who has received the MMR booster?

1. She might have a low-grade fever during the first 24 to 48 hours

2. She should not get pregnant within the next 4 weeks

3. Her arm will be very sore at the injection site for 24 to 48 hours

4. Her arm will have some induration at the injection site in 24 to 48 hours

The correct answer is: She should not get pregnant within the next 4 weeks

The advice about not getting pregnant for at least 4 weeks after receiving the MMR booster is based on the fact that the vaccine contains live attenuated viruses for measles, mumps, and rubella. Although the risk is low, there is a theoretical concern that vaccination could pose a risk to a developing fetus if pregnancy occurs shortly after vaccination. Therefore, it is recommended that women of childbearing age avoid becoming pregnant for a month following the MMR vaccination to reduce any potential risks. Understanding this guideline is critical for female patients, particularly those planning to conceive, as it emphasizes the importance of timing and safety in reproductive health. The other options, while they might describe possible responses to the vaccine, do not carry the same significance in terms of public health and safety as the advice regarding the pregnancy timing.