Measles (Rubeola): The Daily PANCE Blueprint

Home Measles (Rubeola): The Daily PANCE Blueprint

Measles (Rubeola): The Daily PANCE Blueprint

A 6-year-old boy is brought to clinic with 4 days of high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. This morning, his parents noticed a rash that began on his face and is spreading to his trunk. He recently immigrated with his family, and his immunization records are unavailable. Exam shows bilateral conjunctivitis and multiple tiny white lesions on an erythematous base along the buccal mucosa. Which study is most appropriate to confirm the suspected diagnosis?

A. Throat culture for Corynebacterium diphtheriae
B. Serum rubella IgM antibodies
C. Viral culture from skin lesions
D. Serum measles-specific IgM antibodies
E. Rapid streptococcal antigen test

Answer and topic summary

The answer is Serum measles-specific IgM antibodies

Serum measles-specific IgM antibodies confirm acute measles infection in a child with classic findings: high fever, cough, coryza, conjunctivitis, Koplik spots, and a descending maculopapular rash. IgM antibodies become detectable at rash onset and persist for several weeks, making this the preferred confirmatory test. RT-PCR from a respiratory specimen is an alternative and is often coordinated with public health authorities.

View blueprint lesson

Smarty PANCE Content Blueprint Review:

Covered under ⇒ PANCE Blueprint Dermatology ⇒ Exanthems ⇒ Measles

Also covered as part of the Pediatric EOR topic lists

Sign up for the ENTIRE Blueprint Daily Email Series (1000 daily questions. . . and counting! 😀)

Sign Up
X

Have you tried the NEW Smarty PANCE QBANK? It's FREE with EVERY membership purchase 😀!

Meet the new QBank! 👈
X