A nurse in a clinic is collecting data from an adolescent who has received all recommended immunizations through the age of 6 years. Which of the following immunizations should the nurse plan to administer?

A nurse in a clinic is collecting data from an adolescent who has received all recommended immunizations through the age of 6 years. Which of the following immunizations should the nurse plan to administer?

• A. HPV vaccine
• B. HepB
• C. DTaP
• D. MMR

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that immunizations for adolescents include starting the HPV vaccine at 11–12 years old to prevent HPV-related cancers and conditions. Since this adolescent has had all recommended vaccines through age 6, the next planned immunization is the HPV vaccine. It’s designed to be given before most people become sexually active, providing protection against cancers of the cervix, throat, and other sites, as well as genital warts. The dosing is two shots if started before age 15 (spaced about 6–12 months apart); if started at age 15 or older, a three-dose series is used. The other vaccines listed (Hepatitis B, DTaP, MMR) are usually completed earlier in childhood, so they aren’t typically due for an adolescent who has already completed through age 6.

The main idea here is that immunizations for adolescents include starting the HPV vaccine at 11–12 years old to prevent HPV-related cancers and conditions. Since this adolescent has had all recommended vaccines through age 6, the next planned immunization is the HPV vaccine. It’s designed to be given before most people become sexually active, providing protection against cancers of the cervix, throat, and other sites, as well as genital warts. The dosing is two shots if started before age 15 (spaced about 6–12 months apart); if started at age 15 or older, a three-dose series is used. The other vaccines listed (Hepatitis B, DTaP, MMR) are usually completed earlier in childhood, so they aren’t typically due for an adolescent who has already completed through age 6.